1. Sean Strickland
- Current Rank: 1st in the middleweight division
- Recent Performance: Strickland recently defeated Paulo Costa via split decision in the co-main event of UFC 302. He is currently waiting for a title shot.
- Why This Matchup Makes Sense: Imavov and Strickland have faced each other before, with Strickland winning by unanimous decision in a light heavyweight short-notice bout at UFC Vegas 67. Given Strickland’s position as the number one contender, a rematch would allow Imavov to avenge his loss and solidify his claim for a title shot. Moreover, with the middleweight title picture involving Dricus du Plessis, Israel Adesanya, Khamzat Chimaev, and Robert Whittaker, Strickland may need another fight to stay active and maintain his standing.
2. Brendan Allen
- Current Rank: 6th in the middleweight division
- Recent Performance: Allen is on a seven-fight winning streak, with five of those victories coming via rear-naked choke submission. His latest win was a split decision over Chris Curtis at UFC Vegas 90.
- Why This Matchup Makes Sense: Allen’s impressive run makes him a strong contender for a top-five fight. A bout between Imavov and Allen would be a clash of styles, with Allen’s grappling prowess against Imavov’s striking and wrestling. This fight could serve as a title eliminator, solidifying Imavov’s position in the rankings if he wins.
3. Jared Cannonier (Rematch)
- Current Rank: 5th in the middleweight division
- Recent Performance: Cannonier’s loss to Imavov was controversial due to the stoppage, and he has called for a rematch.
- Why This Matchup Makes Sense: A rematch would address the controversy surrounding their first fight and provide a definitive conclusion. Holding the rematch at UFC Paris in September would give Imavov the advantage of fighting with home crowd support. A decisive win over Cannonier would remove any doubt about his victory and solidify his standing in the division.
Nassourdine Imavov’s victory over Jared Cannonier has opened up several exciting opportunities. A rematch with Strickland could provide redemption and a fast track to a title shot. A fight with Brendan Allen would test his skills against another top contender and potentially serve as a title eliminator. Alternatively, a rematch with Cannonier in Paris would settle any controversy and bolster his position in the rankings. Each of these matchups offers a clear path for Imavov to continue his ascent in the middleweight division.
