Nassourdine Imavov sees Khamzat Chimaev’s early onslaught getting to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319.
Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) defends his middleweight title against undefeated Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in the Aug. 16 main event from United Center in Chicago (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Most observers have broken down the title fight in the same way: an early Chimaev finish or Du Plessis outlasting him. The experts have leaned toward the latter but not Imavov.
“In my mind, Khamzat will finish the fight in the first two rounds,” Imavov told MMA Junkie through an interpreter. “That’s what I have in my mind, but of course I understand people thinking that the longer it goes, the more it can go in favor of DDP because of his cardio, but also his way of fighting that is very weird, very strange.”
Imavov (16-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC) takes on Caio Borralho (17-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in the UFC Fight Night 258 main event on Sept. 6 from Accor Arena in Paris. Imavov thinks there’s no doubt he should be next in line for a title shot if he notches his fifth win in a row and was even disrespected to be asked such a question.
“You know what I’ve done. I’ve beat four top-10 in less than a year,” Imavov said. “The fifth is coming. What’s going on after? Do you imagine after I beat Caio, the fifth top-10 ranked fighter in 18 months, anyone deserves it more than me?”
