After a weekend with out fights, UFC motion returns on Saturday when middleweights Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho go head-to-head at Accor Area in Paris (3 p.m. ET, prelims at midday on ESPN+).
Imavov, No. 4 in ESPN’s divisional rankings, enters the combat driving a four-fight profitable streak. Most not too long ago, he beat former titleholder Israel Adesanya by second-round TKO in February.
Borralho, No. 6 by ESPN, is undefeated in his 9 UFC fights. This will likely be his first Octagon look of 2025. Boralho was the primary member of the Combat Nerds gymnasium to earn a UFC contract in 2021.
Within the co-main occasion, fellow Preventing Nerd Mauricio Ruffy takes on Benoît Saint Denis.
ESPN MMA analysts and commentators present their predictions, and ESPN betting skilled Ian Parker provides perception on the worth bets obtainable on the cardboard.
Borralho is the higher grappler, and his placing has truly developed into an actual menace. An opponent having that versatility is an actual downside for Imavov. Imavov does nicely when he’s going through a pure grappler or a pure striker. The fighters who can do each can get him centered on one space after which assault him within the different self-discipline. I anticipated Borralho to take Jared Cannonier all the way down to the mat in his final combat, however as an alternative he dealt with Cannonier nicely on the ft. And that’s as a result of he’s getting ready for middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, who the winner of this combat may combat subsequent. Borralho’s improved placing would be the distinction. — Anthony Smith
Imavov begins too gradual. If he begins gradual towards Borralho, he’ll let rounds slip away. Borralho will use his feints, good footwork and unpredictability to take rounds and presumably steal any rounds that is likely to be carefully scored by the judges. I feel Borralho will win by a convincing resolution. — Din Thomas
Odds are correct as of Sept. 4. For probably the most up-to-date odds, go to ESPN BET.
Parker: Over 4.5 rounds (-240). This may very well be a No. 1 contender combat at middleweight. After opening with practically equivalent traces for each fighters, the percentages have moved in favor of Borralho.
This will likely be an in depth combat, however I imagine the distinction will likely be Borralho’s floor recreation. Borralho can match Imavov’s placing, and when he begins touchdown punches, it would open up the wrestling and floor recreation for Borralho to take over. Nonetheless, contemplating neither fighter has been completed within the Octagon, the over 4.5 rounds ought to hit with relative ease. Even when the combat hits the mat, Imavov has ok submission protection to maintain from being completed, however Borralho may have no concern sustaining high place and doing sufficient harm to financial institution rounds.
Ruffy to win (-185). Saint Denis is taking up surging prospect Ruffy in what needs to be a enjoyable matchup. If Saint Denis can’t get the combat to the ground, Ruffy will both choose him aside for 3 rounds or land a shot to complete the combat.
Cash has been coming in on Saint Denis, which has moved Ruffy’s line from close to -200 to rather more playable odds. Coming from the Preventing Nerds workforce, Ruffy will likely be ready for any wrestling or takedown makes an attempt from Saint Denis.
Bukauskas to win by KO/TKO (-125). Craig has endured three consecutive losses and a no contest as a result of an unlawful upkick in his previous 4 fights, so he may use a win towards Bukauskas. However except he can get Bukauskas into his guard on the mat, Craig will seemingly get knocked out. Craig is a talented submission specialist, however he has not advanced as a striker. The sport plan for beating him has been confirmed: Simply preserve the combat standing. Anticipate Bukauskas to comply with the blueprint and get the KO win.
Keita to win by KO/TKO/resolution. This combat is sink or swim for Pitbull, who takes on UFC newcomer Keita. Regardless of getting into this combat following a win over UFC veteran Dan Ige, Pitbull is getting a shock matchup towards a blue-chip prospect making his promotional debut. Whereas Pitbull appeared good towards Ige, Keita is on a distinct stage. Usually, I’d avoid one of these matchup, however Keita is an thrilling fighter who can win. He’s at present a hefty favourite to defeat Pitbull, so to get that quantity down, take Keita to win by both knockout or resolution. Clearly, the UFC needs to push Keita rapidly, and a win over Pitbull would do exactly that.
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