The UFC’s return to The City of Light produced a battle between top 10 middleweight contenders as No. 8 ranked Brendan Allen looked to continue his climb up the ladder against fourth-ranked Nassourdine Imavov in the UFC Paris co-main event.
Round 1
Allen throws a calf kick early but eats a counter left. Wasting no time, Allen shoots in and quickly gets Imavov down to the canvas within the first 30 seconds of the fight. Allen settles in with side control and holds the position while trying to figure out what he wants to do next. The crowd grows frustrated as Allen refuses to advance. After two minutes, Allen attempts to advance to mount but fails to do so and gets stuck in Imavov’s half-guard.
Referee Herb Dean is calling for the fighters to work. Imavov gets Allen into his full guard. Allen postures up and lands a nice right hand as he re-enters Imavov’s guard. The crowd is getting restless as the offense from both fighters is few and far between. Allen postures up once again and takes Imavov’s back, but there’s no time left on the clock for him to take advantage of the position.
Round 2
Allen comes out swinging in the second but gets poked in the eye almost immediately which brings a brief stop to the action. Back underway, Allen throws a one-two followed by a calf kick and then a high kick. ‘All In’ lunges in to initiate another takedown, but Imavov sprawls and forces Allen back to his feet. Allen and Imavov start to exchange in close which prompts Allen to shoot in for another takedown. Imavov sprawls again and gets side control.
Imavov transitions to the back and lands some heavy strikes, prompting Allen to roll and get Imavov into his guard. On top, Imavov is far more active than Allen was in the prior round. Allen scrambles back to his feet and nearly eats a knee on the break. Allen comes right back with a combination before offering up a telegraphed takedown attempt. Imavov has now stuffed three takedown attempts with 90 seconds left in the round.
Imavov briefly looks for a choke but lets the hold go. Allen scrambles, but that allows Imavov to mount him. Allen gives up his back and Imavov throws up a last-second armbar attempt that Allen defends just as the second round comes to a close.
Round 3
Allen comes out with a couple of calf kicks but eats a one-time. Imavov lands another shot and Allen again goes for a desperation single leg that Imavov stuffs. Allen rolls to his back and Imavov lands a shot while falling into Allen’s guard. Imavov lands a couple of ground-and-pound strikes before Allen kicks him off. Allen rolls to his back and gets to his feet. Allen shoots in for another single leg against the fence, but Imavov easily defends and takes Allen’s back up against the fence.
Allen uses the fence to get back up and breaks the grips to separate from Imvavov. Allen starts to let his hands go, but he once again goes back to the labored takedown attempts that Imavov easily defends. Both fighters are looking tired as we hit 90 seconds left in the fight. Allen has Imavov’s back up against the fence. Imavov circles away and Allen is in hot pursuit, landing a few strikes before offering up another labored takedown attempt.
Imavov defends, breaks away, and starts to unload on ‘All In’ against the fence. Allen fails at completing his umpteenth takedown attempt and the fight comes to a close with both fighters swinging away against the fence.
Official Result: Nassourdine Imavov def. Brendan Allen via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights From Brendan Allen vs. Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Paris:
#UFCParis – Nassourdine Imavov vs. Brendan Allenhttps://t.co/FBJTM0KHJB
— UFC Fans (@ufcfansfr) September 28, 2024
#UFCParis – Nassourdine Imavov vs. Brendan Allenpic.twitter.com/z7QZ4w30Yc
— UFC Fans (@ufcfansfr) September 28, 2024
https://x.com/UFCEurope/status/1840143894660448366
What a fight! 👏
Nassourdine Imavov and Brendan Allen go the distance in our #UFCParis co-main event!
How did you score it?! pic.twitter.com/Yz5MplRpBr
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 28, 2024
https://x.com/MMAPropagande/status/1840146312148246943
