Paris once again played host to a night of electrifying mixed martial arts action as UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho lit up the Accor Arena on September 6, 2025. French fans, known for their raucous support, packed the venue and witnessed their homegrown stars deliver standout performances, making this one of the most memorable UFC events ever held on French soil. The night was more than just a sporting spectacle—it was a celebration of perseverance, national pride, and the global reach of MMA.
The main event saw Nassourdine Imavov, representing his adopted home of Paris, dominate Brazil’s Caio Borralho in a five-round middleweight clash. Imavov’s disciplined approach and relentless pressure earned him a unanimous decision, with judges scoring it 50-45, 49-46, and 49-46. This victory not only marked his fifth consecutive UFC win but also ended Borralho’s remarkable nine-year unbeaten streak and seven-fight UFC win streak.
Imavov’s performance was all the more impressive given the adversity he faced. Early in the fight, he suffered a right foot injury but managed to stay composed and stick to his game plan. "Considering the circumstance, I'm really happy with my performance," Imavov explained after the fight. "I have to say, I don't know what it was, but on my right foot there's either a tendon or something in my heel that let go. It was really painful. I would've liked to get the finish, but I'm satisfied with it as it is."
From the opening bell, Imavov dictated the pace, using his jab and sharp combinations to keep Borralho at bay. He also neutralized all five of Borralho’s takedown attempts, showcasing improved wrestling defense since teaming up with coach Nicholas Ott. While Borralho showed flashes of offense, particularly in the third round, Imavov’s businesslike approach ensured the Brazilian could never gain a foothold. Imavov’s victory now positions him as the leading contender for a shot at new middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev. As he boldly declared to the crowd, "I. Am. Next. Absolutely, no hesitation whatsoever—I'm next. It's been 10 years that [Borralho] was unbeaten and I've beaten him, and I've beaten him with style as well. Definitely, I need to be the next one."
For Borralho, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow, but the Brazilian remained gracious in defeat. "I think Nassourdine was just the better man today," Borralho said. "He was very fast, as I was expecting, so he did very good in the fight, I couldn't attack that much. I wanted to make this fight entertaining for the fans and for the UFC, so I tried to strike with one of the best strikers in the world, and that's why you guys saw a great war. I just need to find my adrenaline back. I need to find some of my, not motivation, but I was with no adrenaline, nothing, and I couldn't pick it up into the fight." Despite the setback, Borralho remains one of the division’s most promising prospects at just 31 years old, and a matchup with a contender like Robert Whittaker or Marvin Vettori could help him regain momentum.
The co-main event featured another French favorite, Benoit Saint Denis, who put on a grappling clinic against Mauricio Ruffy. Saint Denis wasted no time imposing his will, using relentless pressure and superior wrestling to keep Ruffy from establishing his striking rhythm. Ruffy, who entered the bout with a seven-fight winning streak and an unblemished UFC record, found himself outmatched on the ground. Saint Denis secured a rear-naked choke at 2:56 of the second round, forcing Ruffy to tap and sending the Parisian crowd into a frenzy.
This win marked Saint Denis’ second consecutive stoppage victory and improved his UFC record to 7-3 and his overall MMA record to 15-3. He had previously submitted Kyle Prepolec in May at UFC 315, also in the second round. Saint Denis’ resurgence after suffering back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano has firmly reestablished him in the lightweight top 10. With his pressure fighting and submission prowess on full display, fans and pundits alike are calling for him to face a top-tier opponent next—names like Mateusz Gamrot or Beneil Dariush have been floated as logical next steps.
Ruffy, for his part, showed flashes of his striking ability early but struggled to defend against Saint Denis’ grappling. The loss snapped his seven-fight win streak and dropped his UFC record to 3-1. He’ll likely need to shore up his ground game before returning to face elite competition, with a bout against a lower-ranked opponent expected for his next outing.
The rest of the card was equally action-packed, with the event tying the UFC modern era record for most finishes at 11. Modestas Bukauskas delivered a highlight-reel knockout of Paul Craig with an elbow at the end of the first round. The victory was Bukauskas’ fourth straight in the UFC, while Craig, a beloved Scottish veteran known for his submission prowess, announced his retirement following the bout—a fitting end to a memorable career.
Elsewhere, Mason Jones overcame early adversity to stop Bolaji Oki with elbows in the second round, Axel Sola made a splash in his short-notice UFC debut with a TKO via body shot against Rhys McKee, and William Gomis edged out Robert Ruchala in a hard-fought unanimous decision. The preliminary card set the tone for the evening, with every fight ending inside the distance. Oumar Sy thrilled the home crowd with a first-round TKO over Brendson Ribeiro, Ante Delija made a statement in his UFC debut by knocking out Marcin Tybura, and Kaue Fernandes showcased his devastating leg kicks to stop Harry Hardwick. Sam Patterson, Robert Bryczek, Rinat Fakhretdinov, and Sam Hughes all added to the night’s finish tally with emphatic stoppages.
As the dust settles on UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs Borralho, the Parisian faithful will remember a night where their fighters shone brightest on the world stage. With Imavov poised for a title shot and Saint Denis climbing the lightweight ranks, French MMA has never looked stronger. The Accor Arena, once again, proved itself as a cauldron for unforgettable moments and rising stars.
