Nassourdine Imavov (image via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Nassourdine Imavov will almost certainly be a sizeable underdog if he faces Khamzat Chimaev next. But, it seems clear the surging, middleweight contender will be just fine with that role.

Imavov took another step to securing a middleweight title shot at UFC Paris this past weekend, by recording a unanimous decision win over Caio Borralho. The victory extended Imavov’s winning streak to five, while the loss marked the first time since 2015 that Borralho had been defeated.

If Imavov gets the call to fight Chimaev next, he will be the first man to battle the undefeated fighter, since he defeated Dricus Du Plessis in August to take the middleweight crown. It was the latest, dominant performance for Chimaev, and many believe the Chechen fighter could hold the 185 belt for some time.

But, while discussing the fact he would be the underdog in a bout with Chimaev, Imavov reported he’s at his best when he’s being underestimated (quote via MMA Fighting.com).

“It fits me very well. I like to be the underdog,” Imavov said after his win at UFC Paris. “When I’m the underdog, I do the best performance.”

“…People said that against [Israel] Adesanya, he was the best striker in the world and that I couldn’t fight with him, but I knocked him out on the feet. This guy Caio, I didn’t have to fight against him, but I did it. He was coming from a 10-year run of victories, 16 victories and seven victories in the UFC. I fought him, I won every round, and once again I proved that I’m the best. For me, there is no discussion that I’m [not] going to fight for the belt.”

While Imavov is likely in the pole position for a title shot now, the winner of the upcoming, October 18th bout between Reinier De Ridder and Anthony Hernandez could take that position with a dominant win.

Heading into UFC Paris, Imavov was ranked #2 in the UFC’s middleweight division and De Ridder and Hernandez were ranked #4 and #6 respectively.