Less than a week after France set the WWE ablaze with its Clash in Paris PLE, the UFC is continuing that momentum this Saturday with its annual September visit to “The City of Lights.”
It’s been a big year for the middleweight division, which most recently saw a new champion be crowned with the coronation of Khamzat Chimaev. UFC Paris’ main event appears to be one of the most blatant (yet unofficial) No. 1 contender fights a division could have, as the No. 2-ranked Nassourdine Imavov gets a hometown showdown against the No. 7-ranked Fighting Nerd product Caio Borralho. A win for either man would give them a near-undeniable case to be the first challenger for the seemingly unbeatable Chimaev. And stylistically, it’s also just an intriguing, high-level clash.
If that five-round serving isn’t enough, France’s own Benoit Saint Denis returns in an all-action co-main event against Borralho’s teammate, rising lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy.
The top-notch Paris crowd alone is enough to secure a solid grade for any type of combat-related festivities, but UFC also put together a card with solid stakes atop the bill, notable names littered throughout, and plenty of European flair. That’s the recipe for a good day of fisticuffs.
UFC Paris’ lineup Crown grade: B+.
Betting odds courtesy of BetMGM.
Ever since Chris Weidman’s title reign ended in 2015, the middleweight division has largely become home to some of the most incredible silliness the sport can provide. Sometimes you’ll watch a fight and be blown away by how impressed you are, while other times you can’t believe these dudes are getting paid to flail around.
I’m leading this right into Borralho chatter and his last fight, in particular. Borralho fought Jared Cannonier stupidly by all accounts and gave the heavy-handed “Killa Gorilla” the perfect opportunity to win by engaging in a striking battle as a world-renowned grappler. However, Borralho actually succeeded, and handily out-struck and defeated (nearly finishing) Cannonier without virtually any real use of his grappling prowess.
Borralho, 32, has been a slow burn to impress, but his last performance was easily the most he’s proved himself, despite a strong 17-1 (1 NC) record. The major drawback for Borralho is his quality of wins, an area where Imavov has easily surpassed him. Although questionable in its timing, Imavov finished Cannonier when tasked with the one-time title challenger. Around that win, he picked apart Roman Dolidze, halted Brendan Allen’s impressive winning streak, and then lastly stopped Israel Adesanya with strikes in February.
Imavov lives up to his “Sniper” nickname. He’ll be one step ahead of Borralho regardless of the Brazilian’s continuous improvements, but what makes the Fighting Nerd worrisome is that ability to grapple that he often shows off. Imavov hasn’t been one to be held down or controlled often, and even if he defends well against Borralho, he’ll be thinking about the takedown threats. That’s where Borralho can capitalize and land his effective striking offense. As long as he mixes up the approach, this fight remains highly competitive.
Ultimately, it’s the diversity in effective overall offense for Borralho that leans me toward him in this matchup. Also, the Fighting Nerds, even with Carlos Prates’ minor road bump, are doing things, man.
Pick: Borralho
Saint Denis’ striking defense cannot be trusted.
I’m sorry to say it, but it feels true after that short-notice Kyle Prepolec win at UFC 315. There were some concerning shots landed to the chin of Saint Denis in a matchup like that. Shots that he can’t afford to take against someone as dynamic as Ruffy is. It’s possible that Saint Denis might be too much of a war personified. We love that about him, but it’s not going to win any championships or climb the perpetually brutal lightweight ladder.
Saint Denis will aim to make this fight a brawl early, disrupting Ruffy’s timing and ability to unleash his versatile attacks. However, he’ll be met with counters along the way, and depending on how well he handles them, he will be in trouble.
Ruffy has that feel of a guy who is only continuing to break out, which we saw with his King Green spinning wheel kick. Saint Denis is just too hittable, and Ruffy will glide with his superior speed, setting up another highlight reel finish.
Pick: Ruffy
As much as there is to say about Paul Craig’s last fight against Rodolfo Bellato in Atlanta, I will refrain. We can leave it at being arguably the most ridiculous end to a fight I’ve ever seen in person.
But hey. It got us one more Craig dance, so that’s something.
Unfortunately for Craig, it’s not going to go well. But this is what is always said before Craig enters the Octagon even if he wins. It never goes well until it does. Dominant Craig victories aren’t a thing. He’ll take punishment, whether on the feet or ground, before he catches a submission. In 28 fights, the man has never won a decision and has only gone to three overall.
Bukauskas has gotten on a nice three-fight roll and gone 5-1 since he returned to the UFC in 2023. He’s always been a heavy puncher, and defensively sound enough to avoid any thinly veiled entries Craig may present him with. This fight has a Bukauskas knockout written all over it.
Pick: Bukauskas
The Mason Jones resurgence tour is in full effect, ladies and gentlemen.
Although the somewhat surprising ending of a short-lived first run with the UFC took Jones back to the European regional scene in 2023, it may have been the best thing for him. Wales’ “Dragon” returned to the Octagon to play spoiler on enemy soil for what was also Jeremy Stephens’ Octagon return in a Des Moines, Iowa home game. As chaotically fun as it was, typical for Stephens’ tilts, Jones was largely in control more than he wasn’t, and utilized his more well-rounded game to secure the win.
Jones can bang and brawl, and will surely exchange leather early on with Bolaji Oki. However, it’s Jones improved fight IQ that’s been on display in his latest run. Almost as if he lulls opponents into the comfort of chaos they’re presented with. Aside from that, Oki is still finding his overall comfort in the UFC, whereas Jones has more experience.
Pick: Jones
It’s been a weird relationship between Rhys McKee and the UFC, and I’m still not too sure they’re a good fit together. Statistically speaking, McKee is 1-4 with his lone promotional win coming in his last appearance, a doctor stoppage against Daniel Frunza.
To be fair, McKee beat the unholy bollocks off Frunza in that five-minute trouncing. Whether or not Frunza also belongs in the promotion is another story. We saw what we saw.
Axel Sola is an undefeated 27-year-old prospect with five-round championship experience under his belt. He’ll enter the UFC fresh off his third successful title defense as Ares champion. This all comes after a lengthy 19-4 amateur career, so Sola has put in plenty of work for his age, no matter how you slice it.
Regardless of McKee’s win, this feels like an introduction fight for Sola. It’s not quite worthy of the “showcase” label, but Sola has gradually improved with each championship win and is no stranger to these Paris crowds.
Pick: Sola
Former PFL champion Ante Delija has made the crossover, and the UFC heavyweight division desperately needs him to be good, get better and do big things. This isn’t a question, it’s not a request, it’s a demand. That didn’t work out well for Marcus Buchecha (or Martin Buday, really), so it’s nothing against one of the division’s best gatekeepers, Marcin Tybura, but everyone should be rooting for Delija in Paris.
Even then, let’s say Delija goes on a run. He and Tom Aspinall are teammates.
Forget I said anything. Cancel the division.
Quick picks: