Light on His Feet and Ready to Go: Nassourdine Imavov, "The Sniper," is an on-the-rise UFC middleweight talent known for a very calculated approach to fighting. Born in Dagestan and raised in France, he quickly rose to fame with impressive victories in the world of MMA.
Nassourdine Imavov was born on March 1, 1995, to an ethnic Kumyk family in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia. He moved with his family to Salon-de-Provence, France, when he was 9 years old and first started training in boxing. Later, he discovered his interest in the sport of MMA, and when he turned 19, he moved to Paris with his older brother Daguir, joining Fernand Lopez's MMA Factory.
CAPTION:From the streets of Dagestan to the bright lights of the UFC—Imavov’s journey is just beginning. SOURCE: Instagram This move marked the beginning of his professional MMA career, as he transitioned from boxing to MMA under the tutelage of Lopez, a renowned coach known for training top fighters like Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane.
Imavov's professional career in MMA started back in 2016. Before joining the UFC, he compiled an 8-2 record, which included a five-bout win streak. During this time, he was the Thunderstrike Fight League Welterweight Champion and picked up the big win over former UFC welterweight Jonathan Meunier in December 2019 at ARES FC 1. The UFC came calling, and he made his promotional debut on October 4, 2020, against Jordan Williams, winning via unanimous decision. He faced Phil Hawes on February 20, 2021, losing by majority decision. Despite that defeat, Imavov went on to win against Ian Heinisch and Edmen Shahbazyan in 2021.
He was scheduled to fight Kelvin Gastelum twice, first facing visa issues and cancellation, and then Sean Strickland at light heavyweight, losing via unanimous decision. In 2022, Imavov beat Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision. His fight against Chris Curtis in 2023 ended via no contest because of an accidental clash of heads. He then faced Roman Dolidze on February 3, 2024, winning by majority decision, then defeated Jared Cannonier by TKO in June 2024. He continued beating Brendan Allen via unanimous decision in September 2024.
The most prestigious championship he won was the Thunderstrike Fight League Welterweight Championship. This was one of the biggest titles since his beginning days and proved that he would be a shining star in MMA.
CAPTION:From winning titles to headlining UFC events, Imavov’s name is becoming a legend! SOURCE: Instagram His victories within the UFC have further cemented his standing as one of the formidable middleweight contenders. As of October 28, 2024, Imavov stands at #5 in the UFC middleweight ranking, which positions him for probable title contention in the future.
At the end of 2025, Imavov's professional leading record stands at 15-4-1, with six knockouts, four submissions, and five decisions for wins. That wide variety of skills has allowed him to adapt to many opponents and fighting styles, thus far contributing to his success within the UFC.
Imavov has a height of 6'3" or 190.5 cm; he fights within the middleweight division at 185 lbs, or 83.9 kg. He was part of his team, the MMA Factory—a very important tool in his growing process as an athlete.
CAPTION: From intense fight camps to personal downtime—Imavov’s journey beyond the cage! SOURCE: Instagram Given his nickname is "The Sniper," this epitomizes two of his crucial qualities: accurate and strategic performance. His private life and experiences have also provided a lot for his career in the world of MMA, mostly with the huge support of his family and his dedicated work.
Although the net worth and career earnings of Imavov have not been exactly reported, success in the UFC definitely added up to his fortune. With continued ranking up the ladder and knocking down high-profile fights, earnings are surely bound to go higher. For example, the coming fight against Israel Adesanya could bring a big paycheck that would raise his career earnings higher.
Imavov has faced a good deal of setbacks in his career, and visa issues have constantly affected his schedule of fights. He has, however, always grown through this in the UFC ranks. Such ability to adapt to different situations and opponents has been critical in overcoming such challenges and making him successful in the competitive world of MMA.
As of early 2025, Imavov is scheduled to face former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya on February 1, 2025. This bout thus retains his positioning as someone who could quickly get into the mix for a top contender in the middleweight division. A win against Adesanya could hence catapult him into title contention and further seal his status as one of the most promising fighters in the UFC.
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