Saturday’s UFC occasion in Louisville, Kentucky was headlined by a middleweight bout between fourth-ranked Jared Cannonier and seventh-ranked Nassourdine Imavov.
Cannonier entered the struggle using a two-fight win streak. After shedding to Israel Adesanya for the 185-pound championship at UFC 276 in July 2022, Cannonier rebounded with wins over Sean Strickland and Marvin Vettori. He was seeking to prolong his successful streak on the Yum! Middle towards Imavov.
Imavov made the stroll to the octagon coming off an in depth determination win over Roman Dolidze and seeking to choose up the most important win over his profession.
Cannonier landed to the physique with a proper hand after lacking with a mixture. Imavov linked with a counter left off a leg kick by Cannonier. Imavov landed a proper hand and the 2 cliched. Cannonier tripped Imavov to the canvas. Imavov obtained again to his toes and the 2 separated. Cannonier focused Imavov’s leg with a kick adopted by one other one. Imavov responded with a leg kick. Cannonier backed Imavov up with a mixture.
With two minutes remaining within the first spherical, Imavov caught a leg kick and took Cannonier down. Cannonier obtained again to his toes and the 2 clinched. Cannonier remained within the clinch maybe to gradual Imavov down a bit. Imavov defended a takedown try. The spherical ended with the 2 within the clinch alongside the cage. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Cannonier.
Cannonier delivered a leg kick to begin the second body. Imavov responded with a jab. Cannonier continued to put money into leg kicks. Cannonier linked and rapidly modified ranges seeking to get the struggle to the bottom. He pressed Imavov towards the cage however backed away. At distance, the 2 exchanged jabs and Cannonier clinched. Imavov landed a proper hand and commenced to strain Cannonier. Cannonier initiated the clinch and the 2 labored for place alongside the cage. Imavov landed an elbow and a proper hand because the spherical ended. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Imavov.
Cannonier started the third spherical with a clear proper hand. He went to the physique with a proper hand. Imavov clinched after absorbing a proper hand. He drug Cannonier to the canvas however Cannonier rapidly obtained again to his toes. Cannonier reversed the place alongside the cage. Imavov turned Cannonier and the 2 separated. Cannonier delivered a tough leg kick that buckled Imavov’s leg. He clinched and pressed Imavov towards the fence earlier than backing away. Cannonier sprang ahead with a proper hand. Imavov’s jab compelled Cannonier to clinch. They separated with seconds remaining. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Cannonier.
Cannonier landed a left hand to begin the fourth. He linked with a again elbow and Imavov tied him up. The separated and Imavov landed a proper hand that staggered Cannonier. He landed one other proper hand. Cannonier is in huge hassle. Imavov delivered a knee. Cannonier fired again and the referee stopped the struggle. It was a horrible stoppage. Cannonier was on his toes together with his palms up and intelligently defending himself.
The official time of the stoppage was 1:34 of the fourth spherical.
I imply, that is actually terrible. Watching reside, I believed Cannonier misplaced a mouthpiece or one thing. He was robbed right here. I’d love to know why Herzog, who is often strong, made this name. One of many worst in current reminiscence. https://t.co/WxvbM19l75
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 9, 2024