As Nassourdine Imavov stepped into the Octagon for his main event against Roman Dolidze in February, his confident smile signaled a new chapter.
After switching his training base from MMA Factory to Venum Training Camp under Nicolas Ott, Imavov clinched a decisive win over Dolidze, marking his first victory since September 2022.
This transition not only boosted his confidence but also his mental readiness for competition, which Imavov highlighted in an interview with UFC.com.
Joining the UFC roster in October 2020, Imavov has consistently demonstrated the diverse skills needed to compete at 185 pounds. Despite a setback against former middleweight champion Sean Strickland at the start of 2023 and a no-contest result against Chris Curtis, he has quickly rebounded.
His recent victory over Dolidze showcased his improved stamina and strategic pacing in fights, preparing him for his upcoming match against Jared Cannonier in Louisville, which will be his first main event outside the UFC APEX environment.
Imavov is now gearing up for what he anticipates to be a challenging 25-minute bout against Cannonier, known for his knockout prowess across multiple weight divisions. At 28, Imavov sees this fight as a pivotal moment to propel him into the middleweight title scene.
His focus remains on delivering a stellar performance and ideally, securing a memorable knockout, to solidify his place among the middleweight elite.
With Cannonier's only recent losses coming against top-tier opponents like Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker, Imavov recognizes the magnitude of this opportunity.
A victory on June 8 could significantly elevate his UFC career, positioning him closer to a title shot—a goal that Imavov is keen to achieve with both a spectacular win and style points to impress the fans and the UFC alike.