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In an action-packed UFC Vegas 85 main event, Nassourdine Imavov clinched victory against Roman Dolidze, but not without controversy. Despite dominating as the superior striker throughout the five rounds, Imavov's head kick, landing when Dolidze had a hand on the canvas, stirred controversy. The aftermath saw a war of words with Chris Curtis in Dolidze's corner, leading to referee Herb Dean threatening disqualification.
The final scorecards displayed a majority decision victory for Imavov, with scores of 49-44, 48-46, and 47-47. The illegal strike prompted a point deduction for Imavov, further complicating the scoring but ultimately securing his win.
Addressing the verbal sparring with Curtis, Imavov expressed,
"He talks too much. When he was in the cage with me, he didn’t do anything. If you want to fight, it’s in the cage. Outside the cage, shut up."
Despite the controversies, Imavov's striking display showcased precision and power. Landing a vicious combination, including a well-placed uppercut and knee, he nearly secured a first-round finish. Dolidze's clinch game served as a strategy to slow down the pace, but Imavov consistently broke free to unleash powerful strikes.
Imavov, now 4-1 with one no-contest in his last six fights, eyes a rematch with Sean Strickland, seeking redemption from a previous loss. The UFC Vegas 85 main event, filled with drama and intense exchanges, solidifies Imavov's position as a formidable force in the middleweight division.