Nassourdine Imavov, fresh off a significant victory against former champion Israel Adesanya in February, is advancing towards a potential title opportunity. He is set to take another step closer by serving as the official backup fighter for the middleweight championship bout between current titleholder Dricus du Plessis and challenger Khamzat Chimaev, which headlines UFC 319.
Sources familiar with the situation confirmed this development on Wednesday, stating that Imavov is prepared to step in for the event scheduled for August 16th at the United Center in Chicago. RMC Sport was the initial outlet to report this news.
The UFC frequently utilizes backup fighters to ensure that a major fight, especially a main event or title bout, can still proceed if one of the original competitors is forced to withdraw in the days or weeks leading up to the event. This practice became more common during the COVID-19 pandemic and is still occasionally implemented for key fights.
Imavov`s readiness follows his impressive knockout of Israel Adesanya, a win that extended his current winning streak to four consecutive fights. This successful run includes victories over notable opponents such as Brendan Allen, Jared Cannonier, and Roman Dolidze, solidifying his position near the top of the UFC`s middleweight rankings.
His professional mixed martial arts record stands at 16 wins, 4 losses, and 1 no contest. Within the UFC specifically, Imavov holds a record of 8 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest.
Despite his recent string of successes, Imavov was aware that Khamzat Chimaev had already been lined up as the next title contender following his dominant performance against former champion Robert Whittaker. Nevertheless, serving as the official backup fighter places the 30-year-old, who competes under the French flag and is of Russian (Dagestani) descent, directly in line for a potential championship opportunity should circumstances require him to step in.
UFC 319 is scheduled to take place on Saturday night, August 16th, at the United Center in Chicago. The main card is expected to kick off on pay-per-view starting at 10 p.m. Eastern Time.
