Following a surprising win over former champion Israel Adesanya again in February, Nassourdine Imavov is nearing title rivalry and he’ll take one step nearer when he serves because the backup fighter when middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis faces Khamzat Chimaev within the UFC 319 major occasion.
Sources near the scenario confirmed to MMA Combating on Wednesday that Imavov is staying prepared because the backup fighter for the cardboard going down on Aug. 16 on the United Heart in Chicago. RMC Sport first reported the information.
The UFC typically employs backup fighters to remain prepared simply in case catastrophe strikes and one half of the principle occasion falls aside within the days or even weeks main as much as an occasion. The observe actually began through the COVID pandemic however the UFC has continued to often identify a backup fighter for sure title fights.
Imavov is staying prepared after knocking out Adesanya, which prolonged his total profitable streak to 4 in a row. Throughout that run, Imavov additionally took out Brendan Allen, Jared Cannonier and Roman Dolidze, which put him close to the highest of the UFC’s middleweight rankings.
General, Imavov sports activities a 16-4 file with one no contest together with a 8-2 resume with one no contest within the UFC.
No matter his current success, Imavov knew that Chimaev had already been chosen as the subsequent title contender following a jaw-crushing win over former champion Robert Whittaker. However Imavov continues to be serving because the backup, which places the 30-year-old Russian on the cusp of his personal alternative at UFC gold.
UFC 319 goes down Saturday night time, Aug. 16 from the United Heart in Chicago with the principle card kicking off on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET.
