Imavov vs. Borralho Headlines UFC Paris Card with Both Seeking Challenger Position

The night of Saturday, September 6, 2025, will bring top-tier action to the Accor Arena in Paris, France, where two middleweight contenders will face off in the UFC Fight Night main event. Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho will headline a fight that could determine who will be the next challenger for Khamzat Chimaev’s recently crowned title in his division.

Broadcast Details and Schedule

UFC Paris coverage will be available to fans via ESPN+. For those wanting to catch the action from the beginning, the preliminary card will start at 12:00 ET, while the main fights will begin at 15:00 ET, allowing North American viewers to follow every move of the main event.

Who is Nassourdine Imavov and Why Is He the Favorite

Nassourdine Imavov enters this bout with an overall record of 16-4-0-1, having experienced a meteoric rise in the UFC ranks that places him as the #2 fighter in the official middleweight rankings. His promotion journey began in October 2020 with a decision victory over Jordan Williams, but it was his recent performances that caught analysts’ attention.

The 29-year-old Russian fighter has achieved victories that resonate in the combat world. In June 2024, Imavov reached a significant milestone in Louisville by defeating Jared Cannonier via TKO in the fourth round, a former title challenger. During that fight, Imavov demonstrated devastating precision, landing 60 percent of his significant strikes in the second round, increasing to 65 percent in the third, and reaching 73 percent before the referee stopped the fight.

However, the true measure of his status came more recently in February, when Imavov defeated former UFC champion Israel Adesanya via TKO. This victory boosted his position in the division and gave him credibility as an elite contender.

Caio Borralho: The Rising Challenger

On the other side of the octagon will be Caio Borralho, who holds a record of 17-1-0-1 and is ranked 7th in the UFC middleweight division. The Brazilian representing the “Fighting Nerds” team did not have a conventional path to the promotion.

Borralho participated in the Dana White Contender Series twice. His first attempt in September 2021 resulted in a decision victory in the middleweight division but without a contract. A month later, in his second opportunity at DWCS, Borralho changed weight classes to light heavyweight and scored a first-round knockout that ultimately earned him the opportunity he was seeking.

His evolution as a fighter has been progressive. In May 2024, Borralho dispatched Paul Craig by KO in the second round. Subsequently, in what was his debut on a main card, he faced former challenger Jared Cannonier in a five-round battle that resulted in a decision victory for the Brazilian. That fight was recognized as “Fight of the Night,” highlighting the quality of the matchup.

The Rest of the Card

In addition to the main event, the UFC Paris card will feature exciting matchups. In the co-main event, Benoît Saint Denis will face Maurício Ruffy. Other notable fights include Modestas Bukauskas against Paul Craig, as well as bouts between Bolaji Oki and Mason Jones, and Rhys McKee versus Axel Sola.

The prelims will host equally competitive matchups. Among the section’s highlights are Marcin Tybura versus Ante Delija, Andreas Gustafsson battling Rinat Fakhretdinov, and fights like Harry Hardwick versus Kaue Fernandes, along with other bouts that will make for a night full of action.

Significance of the Fight

This bout means much more than just two wins on the record. It is a qualifying fight where the winner will strategically position themselves for a potential title shot against Khamzat Chimaev. Both fighters have demonstrated the ability to beat elite competitors, but only one can advance in the UFC middleweight hierarchy.

UFC Paris fight night promises to be memorable, with two athletes ready to leave everything in the Accor Arena.