Alkass Digital
The UFC event held in Louisville, Kentucky showcased a headline bout featuring middleweight contenders Jared Cannonier and Nassourdine Imavov. Cannonier, ranked fourth, came into the fight riding a two-win streak following his loss to Israel Adesanya for the 185-pound championship in July 2022. Imavov, ranked seventh, sought to secure a significant victory in his career after a recent close decision win over Roman Dolidze.
In the opening round, Cannonier and Imavov engaged in a back-and-forth exchange, with Cannonier landing a solid right to the body while Imavov countered with a left hook. Cannonier managed a takedown but Imavov swiftly returned to his feet. The round ended with both fighters clinching along the cage, with Cannonier slightly edging ahead according to MMAWeekly's scoring.
The second round saw Cannonier initiating with leg kicks, but Imavov responded with effective strikes, leading to a more evenly contested round. Imavov's pressure earned him the round on the judges' scorecards.
Entering the third round, Cannonier continued to demonstrate his striking prowess, landing significant blows to the body. Despite a brief takedown attempt by Imavov, Cannonier maintained control, earning another round in his favor.
However, the tide turned in the fourth round when Imavov landed a series of powerful strikes, staggering Cannonier. Despite Cannonier's efforts to fight back, the referee controversially stopped the bout, declaring Imavov the winner at 1:34 of the fourth round, amidst criticism of the stoppage's timing.