UFC Paris: Nassourdine Imavov vs Caio Borralho Preview and Prediction

The UFC makes its return to Paris this weekend with a blockbuster middleweight main event between France’s own Nassourdine Imavov and the surging Brazilian contender Caio Borralho. The bout headlines at the Accor Arena on Saturday, September 6, 2025, and carries huge implications for the future of the division. With champion Khamzat Chimaev waiting for his first challenger, the winner here could punch their ticket to a title shot.

Tale of the Tape

Fighter	Nassourdine Imavov	Caio Borralho
Nationality	France	Brazil
Age	29	32
Record	15-4	17-1
Height	6’3” (191 cm)	5’10” (178 cm)
Reach	75” (191 cm)	75” (191 cm)
Fighting Style	Striker	Grappler/All-rounder

Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

Imavov enters the fight fresh off a career-defining knockout of Israel Adesanya, a win that launched him to the number two spot in the middleweight rankings. Now, fighting on home soil in Paris, he has the chance to cement himself as the division’s clear-cut number one contender.

Borralho, meanwhile, remains unbeaten in the UFC. He has already toppled names like Jared Cannonier and Paul Craig, and now looks to shock the Parisian crowd by taking out their hero. A win over Imavov would not only keep his perfect run alive but also make his case undeniable for a shot at gold.

The Matchup: Styles Make Fights

Nassourdine Imavov brings precision striking, crisp combinations, and some of the best takedown defense in the division. He averages over four significant strikes landed per minute and boasts a defensive awareness that frustrates opponents who try to drag him to the mat. Add in his experience in five-round battles, and he becomes a tough puzzle to solve.

Caio Borralho, on the other hand, is the embodiment of a well-rounded threat. A black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai with a brown belt in Judo, he combines grappling pressure with relentless forward movement. He isn’t as flashy as Imavov on the feet, but his suffocating style and durability often wear opponents down over time.

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Expert Voices Split

The MMA world is divided on this fight. Robert Whittaker gives the edge to Imavov for his technical striking, while Dricus du Plessis believes Borralho’s complete game makes him the favorite. Even Israel Adesanya, who knows Imavov well, is picking Borralho to win on the scorecards. Betting markets, however, slightly lean toward Imavov, citing his defensive tools and home advantage.

Prediction

This fight has all the makings of a tactical war. Imavov will look to control range, land the cleaner shots, and keep the fight standing, while Borralho will try to pressure forward, mix in takedowns, and test the Frenchman’s gas tank.

Expect a back-and-forth battle, but with Imavov’s sharp striking, strong takedown defense, and the energy of a Paris crowd behind him, the edge tilts in his favor.

Prediction: Nassourdine Imavov via Unanimous Decision