Nassourdine Imavov Earns Redemption with Victory over Roman Dolidze at UFC Vegas 85

French fighter Nassourdine Imavov, once regarded as a top prospect in the UFC middleweight division, bounced back from a disappointing 2023 with a hard-fought victory over Roman Dolidze in the main event of UFC Vegas 85. The event took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Imavov secured a majority decision win over Dolidze, who is ranked higher than him at number 8. The Paris-based fighter had a strong first round but struggled to maintain the same level of output throughout the next four rounds. Nonetheless, his performance was enough to secure the victory and potentially improve his position in the UFC middleweight rankings.

In the co-headliner fight, Renato Moicano made a successful return to action after a year-long hiatus, defeating Drew Dober via unanimous decision. Moicano dominated the early stages of the fight with takedowns and a strong top game, but Dober managed to mount a comeback in the second round. However, Moicano capitalized on a failed takedown attempt by Dober in the third round, ultimately securing the win.

Randy Brown delivered an impressive knockout victory over Muslim Salikhov. With a well-timed right hand following a double jab to the head, Brown put his opponent down and out in the first round. This win marks Brown’s sixth victory in his last seven fights.

Natalia Silva showcased her skills and continued her ascent in the women’s flyweight division. Facing the higher-ranked Viviane Araujo, Silva utilized her speed and striking versatility to secure the win. While Silva had some difficulties when Araujo pushed her against the cage, she displayed enough proficiency in open space to earn the victory. With this win, Silva remains undefeated in the UFC and should be on track to face a top-five opponent in her next bout.

In another intriguing matchup, Charles Radtke stunned Gilbert Urbina with a well-placed left hook towards the end of the round. Despite Urbina recovering and making it to the final bell, Radtke’s knockdown proved crucial in securing his victory.