Sep 6, 2025; Paris, FRANCE; Nassourdine Imavov (red gloves) reacts after the fight against Caio Borralho (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Per Haljestam-Imagn Images

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Nassourdine Imavov Willing To Take On Chael Sonnen’s No.1 Middleweight Contender For The Title Shot!

UFC fighters have mastered the art of self-promotion in ways that would make professional wrestlers jealous. Fighters constantly look for creative angles to insert themselves into title conversations, especially when traditional paths seem blocked by politics or timing issues. The division has always been filled with colorful characters who understand that sometimes a clever social media post or witty comeback can generate more buzz than winning three fights in a row. Nassourdine Imavov just became another one of those fighters!

The current #1 middleweight contender for the title shot represents one of the funniest examples of fighter humor in recent memory. The French-Dagestani fighter recently defeated Caio Borralho in spectacular fashion at UFC Paris, putting himself in prime position for a title shot. His dominant performance in front of his home crowd showcased exactly why many consider him one of the division’s most dangerous rising contenders. Now, he is ready to take on a fighter no one knows yet, but Chael Sonnen seems to think should get the title shot next!

Chael Sonnen’s Mistake In Naming Nassourdine Imavov Creates Comedy Gold

Chael Sonnen accidentally created a new middleweight contender when he misspelled Imavov’s name as ‘Imanov’ during a recent discussion about title shot deserving fighters. The former UFC veteran and current analyst has built his reputation on sharp analysis and memorable soundbites, but even the most seasoned commentators occasionally stumble over fighter names. Sonnen praised this mysterious ‘Imanov’ fighter for earning his shot at middleweight gold through impressive recent performances, unknowingly giving birth to what would become a hilarious social media moment.

“Imanov just became the number one contender.”

Imanov just became the number one contender
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) September 16, 2025

Rather than simply correcting the spelling error like most fighters would, Imavov seized the opportunity to showcase his personality and sense of humor. The Frenchman responded by acknowledging that while this “Imanov” character might deserve a title shot, he would first have to go through the real Nassourdine Imavov to earn it.

“Maybe, but Imanov gotta go through me first.”

Maybe, but Imanov gotta get through me first 😂 https://t.co/l6V7ExgoET
— Imavov Nassourdine (@imavov1) September 16, 2025

This playful response demonstrated the kind of wit and timing that can elevate a fighter’s profile just as much as knockout victories inside the octagon. His humorous response represents exactly the kind of smart self-promotion that modern UFC fighters need to master. The middleweight division currently features several legitimate title contenders, making it difficult for any single fighter to stand out based solely on fight results. By turning Sonnen’s innocent mistake into a memorable moment, Nassourdine Imavov generated social media buzz and reminded fans of his recent impressive victory over Borralho in Paris.

(Image Credit: Per Haljestam – Imagn Images)

Caio Borralho

Chael Sonnen

Nassourdine Imavov

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!