Nassourdine Imavov
Active 2021–present · rated in 2 editions · peak overall 84.0
Scouting report
Crisp counter-punching, footwork, and tactical versatility propelled Nassourdine "Sniper" Imavov into title contention with main-event victories over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, and Brendan Allen. Born in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia and fighting out of Paris under MMA Factory, Imavov's boxing and conditioning are highlighted by an 89 Boxing rating, 86 Cardio, and 84 Overall score.
Peak ratings
By edition
Nassourdine Imavov, a tall boxer from Dagestan by way of France
Nassourdine Imavov was born in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, and moved to Salon-de-Provence, France, at nine, where he started boxing. At nineteen he moved to Paris and joined Fernand Lopez's MMA Factory, and at the end of 2023 he left to train with Nicolas Ott at Venum Training Camp. At about 6 feet 3 he uses a bouncy stance, a long lead jab and feints. Recent wins over Jared Cannonier, Brendan Allen, Israel Adesanya and Caio Borralho put him in title contention, with a rematch against Sean Strickland expected for December 2026.
Imavov, rating by rating
Boxing. The top of the card at 89. The jab is the core of his game, with his lead hand kept extended.
Kickboxing. Rated 86. He mostly uses footwork to close distance, not kicks to manage it.
Wrestling. Rated 82. He can wrestle and hold top control against the cage when he needs to.
BJJ. The lowest number on his card at 78. The wins on his record are decisions and stoppages by strikes.
Strength. Rated 82. He is dangerous in the clinch, where he lands hard knees.
Durability. Rated 84. Both of his losses went to decision, one a majority decision to Phil Hawes and one a unanimous decision to Strickland at light heavyweight.
Cardio. Rated 86. He finished Cannonier in round four in June 2024 and went five rounds with Borralho in 2025.
Fight IQ. Rated 86. He beat Adesanya by TKO in round two in February 2025 in a main event.
Boxing at 89 is the pick
Boxing is his best rating at 89. It fits the picture of a tall striker who lives off the jab and combinations like the one-two and hook-cross. When he faces someone who wants to trade at range, he can outwork them, and the stoppage of Adesanya in the second round shows what happens when the timing lands.
The mat is the unknown: BJJ at 78
BJJ is his lowest rating at 78. It does not mean he is helpless on the ground, since he has wrestling and can defend head position, but there is less to point to in the way of submission wins. His two setbacks are a majority decision loss to Phil Hawes in 2021 and a unanimous decision loss to Strickland at light heavyweight in 2023.
Keep exploring
Closest middleweight profiles to Nassourdine Imavov, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Gegard Mousasibest boxing 89 · weakest wrestling 80
- Kelvin Gastelumbest boxing 89 · weakest bjj 78
- Darren Tillbest boxing 87 · weakest bjj 72
- Lyoto Machidabest kickboxing 90 · weakest strength 78
- Middleweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Nassourdine Imavov's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Nassourdine Imavov into your build
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Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Nassourdine Imavov is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Nassourdine Imavov's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.