Nassourdine Imavov decisions Roman Dolidze in UFC Vegas 85 main event

Saturday’s UFC Vegas 85 fight card was headlined by a middleweight bout between ninth-ranked Roman Dolidze and eleventh-ranked Nassourdine Imavov. 

Dolidze had a four-fight winning streak snapped in his last outing losing to Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision last March. Imavov had a rough 2023, losing to Sean Strickland and having a no contest against Chris Curtis after an accidental clash of heads in his last fight.

Dolidze landed leg kicks in the early going while Imavov responded with leg kicks.  Imavov inched forward and landed a combination.  Dolidze quickly clinched.  Imavov connected with an elbow as the two battled for positing in the clinch.  They separated and began exchanging.  

Dolidze pressed forward with a combination.  Imavov answered with a right hand.  Imavov connected with a right hand that hurt Dolidze.  He landed another right hand that sent Dolidze to the canvas.  Imavov worked hard for the finish.  He took Dolidze’s back and hammered away with right hands.  Imavov worked to secure an arm bar but the bell saved Dolidze.  The first round definitely went to Imavov.    

Imavov landed a left hand to start the second frame.  Dolidze connected with a right hand.  He clinched delivered knees to the legs of Imavov.  With two minutes remaining, Imavov turned Dolidze and the two separated.  Dolidze landed a leg kick and Imavov countered with a right hand.  Dolidze ties Imavov up.  Referee Herb Dean separated the fighters with 20 seconds left. 

Once separated, both me threw and connected with heavy leather.  Dolidze likely won the round with control.  

They exchanged leg kicks to start the third.  Imavov delivered front leg kicks and Dolidze quickly clinched.  Imavov created enough space to connect with a head kick.  Dolidze steps into the pocket with a stiff jab.  Dolidze closed this distance but ate a right hand in the process.  They separated and Imavov connected with a massive right hand.

Dolidze again tied Imavov up.  They battled for position inside the clinch with Dolidze pressing Imavov against the cage.  They separated.  A right hand by Imavov found its mark but Dolidze was able to take it.  The referee separated with 30 seconds remaining in the round.  Dolidze connected with a spinning back kick to the body.  Imavov was clearly winning when they were at distance.  Dolidze clinches but didn’t do anything with the position.  

Dolidze came out with a furious pace before clinching at the start of the fourth.  Imavov is able to get behind Dolidze in the clinch.  He connected with a head kick and dropped Dolidze.  The kick connected while Dolidze’s hand was on the canvas.  Dolidze remained on the canvas for some time before making his way to a neutral corner.  After two minutes, he resumed after Imavov was deducted a point.  

Dolidze connected with a combination.  It looked like Dolidze pulled guard.  The two scramble and Dolidze gained top position midway through the round.  Imavov worked his way to the fence and used it to stand.  Dolidze kept the pressure on.  Imavov separated with a minute remaining and the two slugged it out for a few seconds.  Imavov clinched and the round ended with the two men against the cage.  

With the point deduction, who knows where the scorecards stand. Dolidze came out aggressive but ended up clinching.  Dolidze worked to get the fight to the ground but Imavov had none of it.  He remained standing but was still in the clinch with his back against the cage.  Referee Herb Dean separated them with two minutes remaining.  

Dolidze connected with a right hand.  Imavov threw a right hand and Dolidze ducked under and clinched.  They separated with one minute remaining in the round.  Imavov stuffed a takedown attempt and connected with a left hand.  He stood over Dolidze and made him stand with seconds left in the frame.  The round ended with the fight going the distance.  

The judges scored the fight for Imavov via majority decision.  The scorecards read 49-44, 47-47, and 48-46.  With the win, Imavov will crack the Top 10 middleweight rankings.