With Imavov named as UFC 319 backup, Du Plessis wastes no time taking shots at Chimaev in classic troll fashion!
The middleweight division has been a wild ride lately. The championship belt has changed hands multiple times in recent years. From Israel Adesanya’s reign to Sean Strickland’s upset, to Dricus du Plessis claiming the throne. Now the South African champion faces a new challenge. Undefeated Khamzat Chimaev gets his shot at UFC gold on August 16th in Chicago. But the UFC is playing it smart this time around. They have named a backup fighter who’s ready to step in if either main event fighter withdraws.
Nassourdine Imavov has quietly built one of the most impressive resumes at 185 pounds. The Russian-born fighter trains out of France’s MMA Factory. Imavov’s February knockout of former champion Israel Adesanya shocked the MMA world. Many expected Adesanya to bounce back from his title loss with a statement win. Instead, Imavov flipped the script entirely. His overall UFC record stands at an impressive 8-2 with one no-contest. The 30-year-old fighter has been steadily climbing the rankings without much fanfare.
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The UFC’s backup fighter system makes perfect sense in today’s landscape. Fight cancellations have become all too common in recent years. Nothing frustrates fans more than a main event falling apart days before a pay-per-view. And when Khamzat Chimaev is involved, this practice becomes much more significant. Imavov’s selection as the backup shows how highly the UFC thinks of him. He is essentially one withdrawal away from fighting for the championship.
Both main event fighters have had reliability issues in the past. Du Plessis pulled out of several fights early in his UFC career due to injuries. Chimaev’s health problems have been well documented since his battle with COVID. The undefeated Chechen missed weight badly for his scheduled welterweight bout against Nate Diaz. He later withdrew from a fight against Robert Whittaker before finally facing and defeating the former champion. Having Imavov ready provides fans with peace of mind. The middleweight title fight will happen on August 16th regardless of any last-minute issues!
Du Plessis showed his humorous side when news broke about the UFC’s backup plan. Nassourdine Imavov announced he would serve as the standby fighter for the UFC 319 main event. He Plessis responded to the announcement on Instagram with a playful jab.
“Guess I’m fighting Nassourdine Imavov now.”
The comment wasn’t just random humor. It was a clear dig at Chimaev’s history of fight cancellations. The Chechen fighter has withdrawn from several bouts during his UFC tenure, including matchups with Leon Edwards and Robert Whittaker. The UFC’s decision to name Imavov as backup shows they share Du Plessis’ concerns. The promotion doesn’t want to risk having a pay-per-view main event fall apart at the last minute.
Imavov knows he is in a great position right now. The backup role places him directly in the title picture. Even if he doesn’t compete at UFC 319, his next fight will likely be for the title. His recent dismantling of Adesanya proved he belongs among the division’s elite. Some analysts argue he deserved the title shot over Chimaev based on recent performances. Chimaev got the nod largely due to his perfect record and dominant win over Whittaker.
(Image Credit: Sergei Belski – Imagn Images)
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