Nassourdine Imavov Bio
Nassourdine Abdoulazimovich Imavov is a French professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born in Dagestan, Russia, he later moved to France, where he developed his boxing and mixed martial arts foundation. Known by the ring name “The Sniper,” Imavov is recognized for his sharp striking, length, and composure inside the cage.
Since signing with the UFC in 2020, Imavov has built a steady climb up the middleweight ladder with wins over several ranked opponents. As of mid-2025, he sits near the top of the UFC middleweight rankings, firmly established as one of the division’s leading contenders. He also holds dual Russian and French nationality and is based in Paris.
Early Life and Background
Nassourdine Abdoulazimovich Imavov was born on 1 March 1995 in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia, into an ethnic Kumyk family. Growing up in the North Caucasus region, he was exposed to combat sports from an early age, a common path for many young men in the area. His family’s later move abroad would shape the direction of his athletic career.
At the age of nine, Imavov relocated with his family to Salon-de-Provence in southern France. There, he first stepped into a boxing gym and quickly took to the sport, building the footwork and striking base that would later define his MMA game. The transition from boxing to mixed martial arts came as he grew older, opening the door to a broader range of techniques.
Path to MMA
At nineteen, Imavov moved to Paris with his older brother Daguir to pursue mixed martial arts seriously. The brothers joined MMA Factory, the well-known gym run by coach Fernand Lopez, a respected figure in European MMA. The Paris training environment exposed Imavov to high-level sparring partners and structured coaching, accelerating his development.
He turned professional in 2016, working his way through the European regional circuit. During this period, Imavov captured the Thunderstrike Fight League Welterweight Championship and built momentum with a five-fight winning streak, including a standout first-round finish of former UFC fighter Jonathan Meunier. Those results earned him a contract with the UFC, where he has since competed at middleweight and light heavyweight.
Nassourdine Imavov Career
Early Career (2016–2020)
Imavov’s professional career began on the European regional scene in 2016, competing primarily at welterweight. Working out of MMA Factory in Paris, he compiled an 8–2 record across various promotions, including ARES Fighting Championship. He claimed the Thunderstrike Fight League Welterweight Championship during this run, signaling his readiness for a bigger stage.
His most notable pre-UFC performance came at ARES FC 1 in December 2019, where he handed former UFC welterweight Jonathan Meunier a one-sided first-round loss. The performance caught the attention of UFC matchmakers, and Imavov signed with the promotion shortly thereafter.
UFC Debut and Establishment (2020–2022)
Imavov made his UFC debut on 4 October 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana, defeating Jordan Williams by unanimous decision. He suffered a setback in February 2021 against Phil Hawes but rebounded with back-to-back finishes of Ian Heinisch and Edmen Shahbazyan, the latter via elbows from the crucifix position at UFC 268. These performances established him as a promising middleweight prospect.
A scheduled bout with Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 273 in April 2022 fell through due to visa issues, but Imavov returned in September 2022 to outpoint Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night 209. By the end of 2022, he had firmly inserted himself into the middleweight conversation, and a January 2023 bout with Sean Strickland at light heavyweight marked his first foray into a heavier weight class.
UFC Breakthrough and Title Contention (2023–2025)
After parting ways with MMA Factory at the end of 2023, Imavov joined the Venum Training Camp under coach Nicolas Ott. The switch paid off quickly. He outpointed Roman Dolidze in the main event of UFC Fight Night 235 in February 2024, then stopped former title challenger Jared Cannonier by fourth-round TKO at UFC on ESPN 57 in June 2024.
He followed those wins with a decision over Brendan Allen at UFC Fight Night 243 in September 2024. In February 2025, Imavov delivered the biggest win of his career, finishing former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya by second-round TKO in the main event of UFC Fight Night 250. The performance earned him his first Performance of the Night award and cemented his status as a top contender.
Current Team Era (2023–Present)
Since joining Venum Training Camp in late 2023, Imavov has trained under head coach Nicolas Ott alongside a talented group of international fighters. The change in environment has coincided with his most consistent stretch in the UFC, including a five-fight unbeaten run against ranked opposition. The new camp has refined his conditioning and fight strategy, evident in his main-event performances.
Driving Style and Strengths
Imavov is a 6-foot-3 striker with a strong boxing foundation, fighting from a side-on, bouncy orthodox stance. He uses his footwork to spring forward with fast punches, particularly a sharp jab delivered from an extended lead hand. He pairs that jab with feints, fast one-two combinations, and dangerous clinch knees, while also possessing the wrestling and top control to grind opponents against the cage when needed.
Notable Events and Milestones
Imavov’s knockout of Israel Adesanya in February 2025 stands as the signature moment of his career so far, earning him a Performance of the Night bonus and a place in the upper tier of the middleweight division. He has also recorded milestone wins over Jared Cannonier, Roman Dolidze, and Edmen Shahbazyan, all by stoppage or clear decision.
Nassourdine Imavov Career Wins
Imavov’s verified professional record stands at 17 wins and 4 losses across 22 professional bouts. Of his 17 victories, 7 have come by knockout or technical knockout, 1 by submission, 3 by decision, and 1 by disqualification. His knockout of Israel Adesanya is widely regarded as the most significant of his career.
UFC Highlights
Since his October 2020 debut, Imavov has put together a series of quality wins inside the UFC, including Ian Heinisch, Edmen Shahbazyan, Joaquin Buckley, Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, Brendan Allen, Israel Adesanya, and Caio Borralho. His first UFC win came by decision over Jordan Williams, while his most recent main-event victory over Borralho extended his winning streak in 2025. He earned his first Performance of the Night bonus for the Adesanya finish.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Imavov captured the Thunderstrike Fight League Welterweight Championship during his pre-UFC run. He also posted a first-round win over former UFC welterweight Jonathan Meunier at ARES FC 1 in December 2019, a result that helped secure his UFC contract.
Nassourdine Imavov Family
Family Background and Lineage
Imavov was born into an ethnic Kumyk family in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, before relocating to France as a child. He shares a close bond with his older brother Daguir, who moved with him to Paris at age nineteen to support his MMA ambitions. Details about his parents and extended family are not publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
Imavov currently resides in Paris, France, where he trains at the Venum Training Camp. Publicly available information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not confirmed. He holds both Russian and French nationality and is known for keeping his personal life largely private outside of his fighting career.
2025 Season Performance
Imavov’s 2025 campaign began with the most significant win of his career, a second-round TKO of former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC Fight Night 250 on 1 February 2025. The victory earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus and pushed him into the top tier of the middleweight rankings, where he is ranked among the very best in the division.
He followed that win with a main-event decision victory over Caio Borralho at UFC Fight Night 258 on 6 September 2025, extending his unbeaten run in the calendar year. With momentum on his side and a top ranking secured, Imavov has positioned himself as a leading candidate for a future UFC middleweight title shot. The remainder of 2025 will likely be focused on staying active and waiting for his next high-profile assignment.