Morning Report: Israel Adesanya theorizes how Nassourdine Imavov can 'give Khamzat problems' |
09/09/2025 14:00 -
Israel Adesanya isn't picking anyone to beat Khamzat Chimaev, but he thinks Nassourdine Imavov has a chance.
Imavov finished Adesanya with strikes this past February and followed up that career-best performance with a convincing decision win over fellow top contender Caio Borralho in the UFC Paris main event Saturday. Outside of another upcoming contenders' bout between Reinier de Ridder and Anthony Hernandez, the path has been laid out for Imavov to potentially challenge Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight championship.
Should that booking materialize, Adesanya has some thoughts on how Imavov might topple the undefeated Chimaev.
"I think Khamzat vs. Imavov [is next], but I'm not just going to cancel out Imavov now because his takedown defense – if he can take away the wrestling from Khamzat, he'll give him problems," Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. "That's what you have to do. Khamzat can strike, but I see what I see, but his wrestling is his main weapon and he commits a lot to the wrestling. He gets the f*cking grip and he takes people down, keeps them down. So if Nassourdine can get past that, he'll give Khamzat problems. Right now, Khamzat's on point, he's got the momentum behind him, and so does Imavov. Who's going to win? We'll see."
Chimaev won the middleweight belt at UFC 319 with a dominant performance against Dricus Du Plessis, grounding the South African star for five rounds to complete a long-awaited climb to the mountaintop. Though a few fighters have given Chimaev a tough contest, no one has managed to beat him yet and his rise was mostly impeded by inactivity.
Adesanya was impressed by how Imavov handled Borralho, previously 7-0 in the UFC, as well as the one-sided victory Imavov's countryman Benoit Saint Denis had over Mauricio Ruffy in the co-main event.
"Nassourdine came in and just showed why he's a sniper," Adesanya said. "He was just touching him, took it away, 4-1. So the French today, they were on point."
As for Borralho and Ruffy, two standout members of the Fighting Nerds, Adesanya just hopes they can block out the online criticism that's sure to befall their team in the wake of their losses.
"Just keep doing what you're doing," Adesanya said. "Don't take this, like, because people start saying, 'Oh, retire.' These f*cking incels don't know shit, so they just have to go back to the drawing board and keep doing what they're doing and keep leveling up and they'll be back."
TOP STORIES
Caution. MMA legend Frankie Edgar hasn't exactly been getting unanimous support over his decision to fight again.
Certain. Ronda Rousey definitely won't be fighting at UFC White House.
Uncertain. Jon Jones, on the other hand, believes he might still get the White House call and is declaring himself "not retired."
Awkward. A UFC hopeful missed weight by four pounds for tonight's Dana White's Contender Series card.
Back. Benoit Saint Denis admits he lost focus before fighting Dustin Poirier, but is ready to contend again.
VIDEO STEW
Frankie Edgar talks to MMA Fighting's Damon Martin ahead of his *gulp* comeback.
More Khamzat speculation.
Terrance McKinney getting in on the predictions game!
UFC Embedded… for Canelo vs. Crawford? This is weird.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Let's go!
Felt this.
Brandon Moreno giving a fan a few pointers.
Pay this man to put hands on someone, please.
That's what we needed, Merab Dvalishvili becoming even MORE skilled.
Agree.
Chuckle.
Happy trails.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Hey, you know who's going to beat Khamzat Chimaev? Nobody, that's who!
EXIT POLL
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