Imavov dampens Borralho's enthusiasm by citing the irrelevance of being a reserve for the belt

Nassourdine Imavov is currently ranked first. Photo: Reproduction/UFC

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Currently ranked first in the middleweight rankings (up to 83,9 kg) and looking to gain his first opportunity for the belt, Nassourdine Imavov demonstrates calm in his plans for the organization. Scheduled to face Caio Borralho on September 6th in the main fight of the UFC Paris, the fighter reveals that he denied a request to be a reserve in the title fight between Dricus du Plessis e Khamzat Shimaev, which takes place weeks earlier, on August 16th.

In his statement, the athlete explained that Borralho was only chosen as 'plan B' due to his refusal. Without hesitation, Imavov emphasized his focus on the Brazilian and indicated that any move to be available for UFC 319 would only hinder his potential for a leading role in Paris.

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“I thought, 'OK, if the title fight is in August and I have to be the backup, then I don't want to train for nothing. I don't want to train for nothing.' So I thought, 'Maybe it's better to focus on Caio Borralho"The UFC asked me a few weeks ago to come to the US for the weigh-in and everything. I said no because I have a fight scheduled for three weeks later. So I don't have time to travel and get jet lag. I want to be in the best condition for my fight. That's why I said, 'No, I'm not going.' Maybe they'll put Caio in that spot. But right now, I'm just focused on Caio in Paris. Bring him," Imavov told MMA Junkie.

Caio Borralho (right) and Nassourdine Imavov (left) are in the main fight of the UFC Paris. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage

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Subsequently, Imavov warned Borralho not to use weight cuts and commitments to UFC 319 as an excuse for any potential problems leading up to the fight in the French capital.

“For me, it's his problem. He agreed to this because he felt honored to be the backup, but he's just taking my leftovers because I declined. Otherwise, if I hadn't declined, the UFC wouldn't have called him to be the backup. He has to understand that. In my mind, I hope he doesn't use it as an excuse or shy away from the fight. I'll be ready on September 6th, and he has to be ready. Because he's been saying a lot. No excuses.”

Finally, the European prospect dismissed the opportunity to be a reserve fighter and argued that fans don't care about status unless the athlete is actually fighting in the octagon for the title.

"Even for me, being the backup for a title shot isn't an honor. Because when I want to fight for the title, I want my face on the poster. Because what's he going to do? He'll make weight and be in another city, there in Chicago. No one will talk about him. He has no future at all, and everyone will forget after the fight happens because Khamzat and DDP and everyone will forget that Caio was the backup. It's something that makes no sense. No one is talking about the backup fighter," he concluded.

Nassourdine Imavov in presentation at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Protagonists of UFC Paris, Imavov and Borralho have a firm agreement to face each other on September 6. The Brazilian, on the other hand, celebrates the opportunity to be a reserve for the title fight in the category and is expecting to be called up to replace the champion or challenger at any moment.