Looking to hang onto his spot in the middleweight top five, Jared Cannonier returned to the Octagon on Saturday night to headline UFC Louisville. There, he squared off with top-10 contender Nassourdine Imavov in a bout that could have major title implications in the 185-pound division.
Round 1
Cannonier comes out swinging early, looking to land a big overhand right on the Frenchman. Cannonier lands a calf kick but eats a couple of jabs for his trouble. Undeterred, Cannonier goes right back to the calf kick, looking to slow down Imavov. Cannonier clinches in the center of the Octagon. He pushes Imavov to the fence and drags him to the bag. Cannonier was unable to gain a dominant position before Imavov found his way up and back to his feet.
Back upright, Imavov fires a straight left followed by a right then sends Cannonier retreating. Imavov throws a low kick and Cannonier comes back with a powerful left hook. Imavov attempts to throw a knee up the middle. Cannonier is throwing heat, looking for a knockout shot. Cannonier throws another calf kick, but Imavov catches it, sending him crashing to the canvas. Cannonier scrambles back to his feet and clinches up, pushing Imavov to the cage wall.
Cannonier maintains control against the fence for the remainder of the round, failing to get Imavov to the ground in the waning seconds.
Round 2
Cannonier continues his game plan, attacking the lead leg and looking for a big shot up top. Cannonier ducks his way in and rips to the body. A combination from Cannonier knocks Imavov off balance, allowing Cannonier to rush in and push his opponent to the cage wall once again. Imavov fights his way off the cage wall and separates. Cannonier lands a jab before clinching up against the fence.
After a minute or so, the two separate and Imavov begins to push forward and swing big. Imavov lands a 1-2 followed by a right hand that has Cannonier movie backward. As Imavov pursues, Cannonier again clinches and pushes the fight to the fence. Imavov breaks free and lands a nice combination as the round comes to a close.
Round 3
Cannonier lands a heavy right hand to kick things off in round three. Cannonier goes to the body, but Imavov comes back with a right hand over the top. Closing in, Imavov takes Cannonier’s back and drags him down. Cannonier pops back up and works to break Imavov’s grip against the fence. Cannonier is dragged back down, but again, he pops back up. Pressed against the cage wall, Cannonier turns into his opponent and reverses position, taking control of the clinch.
Cannonier breaks away and returns to the center where he immediately eats a right hand from Imavov. Cannonier goes back to the calf kick, but Imavov punishes him with a combination. That prompts Cannonier to clinch up and press Imavov against the fence. Imavov circles out, firing a body kick on his way. Cannonier comes back with a looping right that misses the mark. Imavov throws a combination, but Cannonier ducks under and pushes Imavov to the wall. Imavov breaks away and throws a hail mary head kick as the horn sounds.
Round 4
Cannonier swings big to get the round going, but Imavov fires back with a combination. Cannonier partially lands a spinning elbow, but gives up his back in the process, allowing Imavov to grab a waistlock before ultimately letting go. Imavov lands a big right hand that has Cannonier on the run. Imavov goes on the attack and pours on the pressure with an onslaught of shots. Cannonier is in trouble, but he’s still on his feet and moving.
Inexplicably, referee Jason Herzog steps in and calls for the stoppage despite Cannonier still being conscious and moving under his own power. Fans immediately boo the stoppage the commentary team appears to agree with the fans, calling Herzog’s stoppage an early one.
Official Result: Jared Cannonier def. Nassourdine Imavov via TKO (strikes) at 1:34 of Round 4.
Check Out Highlights From Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Louisville:
Mettez du respect sur son nom ! Nassourdine Imavov n'est pas là pour faire de la figuration, il peut éteindre n'importe qui ! #UFCLouisville pic.twitter.com/ightO5HjuA
— ً (@annisluta) June 9, 2024
Did Jason Herzog make an early call?
Imavov stops Cannonier via TKO. pic.twitter.com/plwhDpmbK5
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) June 9, 2024
Nassourdine Imavov devient le premier combattant à terminer Jared Cannonier en MW ! 🔝🇫🇷pic.twitter.com/95Ff7hnNuv
— La Sueur (@LaSueur_off) June 9, 2024
Il entre enfin dans le TOP 5 💪
🇫🇷 Nassourdine Imavov s'impose par TKO au 4ème round ! pic.twitter.com/TjxwdGydiv
— UFC France (@UFCFRA) June 9, 2024
