Cannonier v Imavov main event preview & picks | UFC Louisville

UFC Fight Night heads to the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky, for a top-10 middleweight matchup between Jared Cannonier and Nassourdine Imavov. Both men boast winning form and this promises to be an evenly fought contest. The 185-pound division is one of the UFC’s toughest weight classes, and neither Cannonier nor Imavov can afford a momentum-halting loss that would bump them down the rankings.

Cannonier v Imavov fight preview

Jared Cannonier vs Nassourdine Imavov

Jared Cannonier (17-6-0) has won seven of his last nine UFC appearances, with losses coming against former champions Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya. The 40-year-old has worked hard on his cardio in recent times, and his last three fights have been across five rounds of action. The American has learned to temper his prodigious power in favour of steady output that earns points on the scorecards.

Cannonier will be punching uphill against a four-inch height disadvantage, which can have a tiring effect in a high-pressure contest. He does have heavy leg kicks in his arsenal that will help cut his opponent down to size if they can land early. He holds a brown belt in BJJ but prefers to work from the feet rather than grappling.

Nassourdine Imavov (13-4-0) has four wins, one loss, and one draw from his recent efforts inside the octagon. The loss was to Sean Strickland, who later won the UFC middleweight crown, so there is no shame in that. The 29-year-old was outworked by the unconventional striking of Strickland over five rounds, but he has since scored a solid decision win over Roman Dolidze despite being deducted a point for landing an illegal kick.

Imavov has never been knocked out and boasts four submission wins from early in his career. He does not possess the raw striking power of his opponent and will need to slide in and out of range with tight combinations to be effective. He will also need to check the leg kicks that have the potential to destroy his balance and render him a stationary target.

Cannonier v Imavov betting strategy

This should be a tactical encounter with little separating these fighters, and that is reflected in the odds on offer with the top sports betting sites. Both have gone five rounds against Strickland, with Cannonier earning the nod via split decision and Imavov falling just short.

When presented with a tight matchup, the safe option is to side with the younger and fresher athlete. Cannonier has more miles on the clock and might be susceptible to a high-pressure bout over 25 minutes. The American is more likely to score an early knockout, but Imavov should be more comfortable and active in the latter rounds.

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