UFC Fight Night prediction — Jared Cannonier vs Nassourdine Imavov: Fight card, odds, start time, live stream

Middleweights with points to prove are the center of attention at UFC Fight Night. Jared Cannonier and Nassourdine Imavov collided on Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky. The winner is unlikely to earn a title shot, but will enter the title shot.

Cannonier (17-6) was building legitimate momentum for a second UFC middleweight title shot, but a crowded division and a knee injury sidelined him. Cannonier is coming off consecutive decision wins against Marvin Vettori and Sean Strickland. He set a middleweight striking record (241) against Vettori and handed Strickland his last defeat before Strickland became champion. “The Killa Gorilla” was scheduled to fight Roman Dolidze last year, but a torn MCL sidelined him.

UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya appears to be in the works, Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev is labeled a title eliminator and Strickland is entitled to a title shot after defeating Paulo Costa. At 40, time is ticking for Cannonier. A declared victory is crucial if he wants to add a UFC title to his resume.

“I didn’t want to wait. I don’t really like waiting and choosing opponents”, Cannonier told CBS Sports. “Before Imavov, I was scheduled to fight Dolidze after defeating the third-ranked [Vettori] in a record, Fight of the Night style. I was still reluctant to accept the fight, but that was all they had to offer me, so I accepted. I think it’s the same situation with this one. So here I am, ready to fight. I’m always ready to fight as long as it allows me to get closer to the title and be a better fighter.”

Imavov (13-4, 1 NC) is trying to prove he’s ready for the elite against an opponent who wants to demonstrate that he’s still among the best. Imavov’s stock took a hit after a loss to last-minute replacement Strickland moving up in weight class, a loss that has aged well thanks to Strickland’s surprise title win. Imavov looked sharp against Chris Curtis and equalized against Dolidze. Imavov – teammate of heavyweight Ciryl Gane – is an unfinished product. A clash of heads caused a no-contest against Curtis and an illegal football kick almost cost Imavov the fight against Dolidze. But he’s about to break into the UFC’s official middleweight top five. Imavov has the most significant strike defense among all active middleweights, but is confident his undefeated chin can handle Cannonier’s power.

“I’m very confident in my chin,” Imavov told CBS Sports through an interpreter. “Especially because someone once hit me with a high-speed, high-force head kick. I’ve never been knocked down during training or even felt dizzy. I’m very confident in my ability to shoot.”

Check out the full interview with Nassourdine Imavov below.

There are few choices in terms of name value or career progression outside of the main event. Dominick Reyes is looking to snap a four-fight losing streak that began with a hard-fought decision loss to UFC light heavyweight Jon Jones before going off the rails. Reyes suffered knockout defeats in his three subsequent fights and now fights Glory kickboxing veteran Dustin Jacoby. Youngest UFC signee Raul Rosas Jr. meets “The Ultimate Fighter” alum Ricky Turcios; Meanwhile, Bruno Ferreira is looking for his 12th stoppage in as many victories against Dustin Stoltzfus.

Below is the rest of the fight card for Saturday with the latest odds before we come up with a prediction and pick the main event.

UFC Fight Night card, odds

UFC Fight Night Viewing Information

Date: June 8 | Start time: 8pm ET (main card)
Location: KFC Yum! Center – Louisville, Kentucky
Television channel: ESPN+

Prediction

Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov: Don’t expect fireworks here. Cannonier has wicked power that hasn’t served him reliably against the middleweight elite. Imavov has fantastic attacking defense thanks to his movement and angles. Cannonier is not impressed with Imavov’s significant 66% save, attributing the division lead to Imavov’s lack of quality opponents. I’m leaning toward Cannonier, despite Imavov’s frustrating style and 12-year age difference. Cannonier can maintain the pace for 25 minutes. His superior power, ability to win five-round fights, and experience against elite opponents give me confidence in the underdog. Cannonier via UD