Jun 10, 2023; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Nassourdine Imavov reacts after the match against Chris Curtis is declared no contest for unintentional head class during UFC 289 at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

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UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho – Nassourdine Imavov vs Caio Borralho Predictions And MMA Betting Odds

The middleweight division has been crying out for fresh blood since Israel Adesanya’s reign ended. After years of watching the same faces circle around title shots, the 185 pound class finally has some new energy brewing. Names like Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev have shaken things up, but there’s still room at the top for hungry contenders willing to make their mark. That is where Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho come in.

These two fighters have been quietly building impressive resumes while everyone else focused on the drama up top. Imavov shocked the MMA world in February when he knocked out former champion Israel Adesanya. Meanwhile, Borralho has been perfect since joining the UFC, racking up seven straight wins without breaking much of a sweat. This weekend in Paris, these two rising stars collide in a fight at UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho that could determine the next challenger for the middleweight gold.

Nassourdine Imavov vs Caio Borralho Preview

Nassourdine Imavov, the 28 year old French striker stands 6’3″ with a 75 inch reach that he uses to pick opponents apart from distance. He lands 4.45 significant strikes per minute with impressive 55% accuracy. His defensive numbers aren’t quite as pretty at 58% strike defense, but he makes up for it by stuffing 78% of takedown attempts.

Imavov averages 1.1 submission attempts per fight, which might not sound like much until fans realize most of his recent wins have come from KO/TKO. His takedown defense has been solid, but facing someone like Borralho will test those skills more than ever before.

Caio Borralho, the 31 year old Brazilian stands at 6’1″ with a 75 inch reach. He lands 3.61 significant strikes per minute with an incredible 60% accuracy while defending 62% of incoming damage. Those numbers put him among the most efficient strikers in the entire division.

But it’s Borralho’s wrestling that really sets him apart from other middleweights. He averages 1.56 takedowns per fight while landing 60% of his attempts. His 76% takedown defense means he can keep fights where he wants them, whether that’s on the feet or on the ground. The Brazilian has shown improved finishing instincts lately, moving away from his early UFC days when he seemed content to grind out decisions.

Nassourdine Imavov vs Caio Borralho MMA Betting Odds

The oddsmakers see this as one of the closest main event matchups in recent memory. According to FanDuel, Caio Borralho opens as a slight -138 favorite. Meanwhile Nassourdine Imavov sits at +108 as the underdog. These tight odds reflect just how evenly matched these fighters appear.

The odds for the fight going the distance have also come out. The probability of the fight ending before the final bell is lower and the odds (-174) reflect that. The odds for the fight seeing the judges scorecards stand at +136

Nassourdine Imavov vs Caio Borralho Predictions And Picks

This fight will likely be decided by whether Imavov can keep it standing long enough to find his range and timing. The Frenchman’s best moments have come when he controls distance and picks opponents apart with precise combinations. His knockout of Adesanya showed he has genuine one shot power, but that finish came against a striker who was willing to engage in boxing exchanges. Borralho won’t be nearly as accommodating.

The Brazilian’s path to victory runs straight through his wrestling credentials. While Imavov has defended 78% of takedown attempts in his UFC career, he’s never faced someone with Borralho’s combination of technique and persistence. If Borralho can get this fight to the ground repeatedly, his superior grappling should allow him to control position and rack up rounds on the scorecards.

If we bet on the fight, we are going against the grain and betting on Nassourdine Imavov to win via unanimous decision.

(All odds taken from FanDuel. Bet on the most up-to-date MMA odds, lines, and spreads with FanDuel Sportsbook)

(Image Credit: Sergei Belski – Imagn Images)

Caio Borralho

Nassourdine Imavov

UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho

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!