Error code: %{errorCode}

MMA

UFC Louisville: Nassourdine Imavov stops Jared Cannonier but it's not without controversy

Mark Lelinwalla2 min read
UFC Louisville: Nassourdine Imavov stops Jared Cannonier but it's not without controversyMike Roach/Zuffa LLC
Check your region for PFL MMA on DAZN
Check your region for PFL MMA on DAZN
Did the referee make the right call?

With a quick overhand right counter, Nassourdine Imavov stunned Jared Cannonier, sending the veteran on the run.

Another big right hand followed, brushing Cannonier back with the Octagon fence holding him up.

Imavov kept the pressure coming with some punches and just then, referee Jason Herzog questionably stepped in and ended the bout, crediting Imavov with the fourth-round TKO in their UFC Fight Night main event from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky on Saturday night.

There's no doubt that the two right hands hurt Cannonier but the 40-year-old was still on his feet and defending himself, making the stoppage appear premature.

View post on Twitter

Still, it's Imavov who entered the Octagon as the seventh-ranked middleweight, to Cannonier's No. 4, who improves to 14-4 and will likely receive a bump up in the rankings as an emerging contender.

The victory triggered the French fighter into calling out former middleweight world champion Sean Strickland for a bout in September when the UFC visits Paris.

"I'd like to fight Sean Strickland in Paris," Imavov said on ESPN+, "so Sean Strickland if you want to do it, come to Paris and we're going to fight together."

Last weekend, Strickland was victorious over Paulo Costa and subsequently asserted that he's willing to wait for a rematch against middleweight world champion Dricus Du Plessis.

Prior to the controversial stoppage Saturday night, Cannonier set the tone for the fight with the seemingly heavier hands, before Imavov found his range with his own punches.

Here's how the entire UFC Louisville main card went.

Share

AS IT HAPPENED

This event has finished
8 months ago 02:59

Imavov stops Cannonier with fourth-round TKO but it's not without controversy

An overhand right in close quarters stuns Cannonier! Another right and Cannonier is wobbled some more. However, Imavov is right on his heels landing some more punches before the ref steps in and stops the fight.

View post on Twitter

It's a questionable and tough stoppage for Cannonier to stomach as he was wobbled but still on his feet and defending himself. There's no doubt that Imavov hurt him but Cannonier was more than game to keep fighting. I thought the stoppage was called too early. Nevertheless, it's Imavov who improves to 14-4 and is likely to get a bump up the middleweight rankings.

8 months ago 02:50

Cannonier vs. Imavov; Round 3

Cannonier's team warns him to not stand in front of Imavov and he responds accordingly by utilizing slicing angles with his punches. That output leads to Imavov shooting for a takedown and getting it. And another one and this time it's Imavov logging some control time with Cannonier up against the fence. That control time doesn't last long as Cannonier reverses it to put Imavov's back against the Octagon. Cannonier goes back to some leg kicks. A big right from Cannonier gets answered by Imavov's sharp counter. A very close round with the slight edge going to Cannonier for the cleaner output. (10-9 Cannonier, 29-28 Cannonier)
8 months ago 02:45

Cannonier vs. Imavov; Round 2

Cannonier once again showing some pressure, connecting from the outside with punches before shooting and pressing Imavov against the Octagon. And despite being 12 years Imavov's senior, Cannonier is dictating the pace. He's once again mashing Imavov up against the fence for more control time. They briefly exchange hard, compact shots in the pocket before Cannonier fires some leg kicks. Now it's Imavov with some punches and pressure, prompting Cannonier to grab hold of him. A quick combination from Imavov might have gotten him this round. (10-9 Imavov, 19-19)
8 months ago 02:38

Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov; Round 1

Cannonier isn't wasting time. He starts off by throwing big punches before taking Imavov down. The ref briefly halts the action to warn Imavov about eye poking and extending his fingers on a punch. After the quick break, Imavov comes out peppering Cannonier with jabs. But it's Cannonier who seems to have the heavier hands, landing his punches with greater force. (10-9 Cannonier)
8 months ago 02:27

It's time for the Jared Cannonier-Nassourdine Imavov main event!

Imavov (13-4), coming off a majority decision victory over Roman Dolidze in February, will try to make a statement against the 40-year-old Cannonier (17-6) who is the winner of two straight fights, but is returning from an MCL injury. There are big ramifications in this one as Cannonier and Imavov are the fourth-ranked and seventh-ranked middleweights, respectively. Who will have his hand raised in this one? We're about to find out!

View post on Twitter
8 months ago 02:15

Dominick Reyes gets the win he desperately needed

Under pressure from Dustin Jacoby, Reyes lands a brilliant, fight-changing counter left hook! With Jacoby stunned, Reyes adds a straight left and vicious knee up the middle. Some hammerfists later and it's a first-round knockout for Reyes who snaps a four-fight skid to return to the win column in a major way.

View post on Twitter

Just like that, "The Devastator" gets the victory he desperately needed to save his career.

8 months ago 02:11

Co-main event time

It's a light heavyweight bout pitting Dominick Reyes (12-4) against Dustin Jacoby (19-8-1).
8 months ago 01:54

Raul Rosas Jr. makes Ricky Turcios tap!

Rosas takes Turcios' back, traps him in a rear-naked choke and squeezes until the latter has no choice but to tap for the second-round submission win for Rosas.
8 months ago 01:39

Rising star Raul Rosas Jr. fights next

The 19-year-old Rosas (8-1), who is the youngest on the UFC roster, and Ricky Turcios (13-3) are about to make their walks ahead of their bantamweight clash.
8 months ago 01:24

"HULK" SMASHES with spectacular finish!

O-M-G! Solid exchanges between the fighters ends when Ferreira launches a spinning back elbow that Stoltzfus somehow eats. An overhand right to the temple then wobbles Stoltzfus and seconds later, Ferreira detonates another spinning back elbow that explodes flush on the jaw, dropping Stoltzfus and triggering the ref to stop the action right there for a first-round TKO nine seconds before the second round.

View post on Twitter
View post on Twitter
8 months ago 01:11

"The Hulk" steps into the Octagon next

Up next: Bruno Ferreira (11-1), coming off a first-round knockout of Phil Hawes in January, goes up against Dustin Stoltzfus (15-5) in the second middleweight bout of the night.

8 months ago 00:58

Zachary Reese destroys Julian Marquez in 20 seconds!

Reese follows a crunching body kick with a right uppercut that drops Marquez in a heap! A few hammerfists later and this one is a wrap in just 20 seconds! Reese (7-1) is building something special and one to watch in the middleweight division.

View post on Twitter
8 months ago 00:53

On deck: The first of three middleweight fights

Julian Marquez (9-4) takes on Zachary Reese (6-1) in a battle of the middleweights. 
8 months ago 00:45

Punahele Soriano dominates in unanimous decision

Judges see it 30-25, 30-25 and 30-27 after watching Soriano dominate with five takedowns, nearly 11 minutes of control time and a strike edge of 239. Quite the performance in his new weight class as Soriano notches his 10th career victory.
8 months ago 00:24

First fight of the main card

The bout pits Miguel Baeza (10-3) against Punahele Soriano (9-4) in welterweight action.
8 months ago 00:00

The UFC Louisville main card is about to start!

The prelims are wrapping up at the moment. So keep it locked here for all the live updates, results and highlights from the UFC Fight Night main card to follow next.
8 months ago 23:00

Welcome to the UFC Louisville live coverage!

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of UFC Louisville! The Fight Night main card will launch at 8:00 p.m. ET and we'll start bringing you all the live updates at that time.

Latest News