MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in depth to interrupt down the largest fights within the UFC. Right now, he takes a more in-depth take a look at the UFC on ESPN 57 most important occasion between former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier and Nassourdine Imavov.
Jared Cannonier UFC on ESPN 57 preview
Staple data:
- Top: 5’11” Age: 40 Weight: 185 lbs. Attain: 77.5″
- Final combat: Resolution win over Marvin Vettori (June 17, 2024)
- Camp: MMA Lab (Arizona)
- Stance/placing model: Change-stance/kickboxing
- Threat administration: Good
Supplemental data:
+ Regional MMA titles
+ 10 KO victories
+ 2 submission wins
+ 7 first-round finishes
+ KO energy
+ Improved skill to counter
^ Harmful hooks and uppercuts
+ Onerous leg kicks
^ From each stances
+ Sturdy contained in the clinch
+ Serviceable wrestling skill
^ Defensively and offensively
+ Exhibits improved getups/scrambles
+ Works nicely from topside
^ Heavy ground-and-pound
Nassourdine Imavov UFC on ESPN 57 preview
Staple data:
- Top: 6’3″ Age: 28 Weight: 185 lbs. Attain: 75″
- Final combat: Resolution win over Roman Dolidze (February 3, 2024)
- Camp: Venum Coaching Heart (France)
- Stance/placing model: Orthodox/muay Thai
- Threat administration: Truthful
Supplemental data:
+ Regional MMA title
+ 5 knockout victories
+ 4 submission wins
+ 7 first-round finishes
+ Strong really feel for vary and motion
+ Works nicely off of lead hand
^ Onerous hooks and uppercuts
+ Sturdy contained in the clinch
^ Frames nicely for knees and elbows
+ Strikes nicely off the breaks
+ Serviceable wrestling skill
^ Defensively and offensively
+ Misleading front-choke acumen
+ Grapples nicely from topside
Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov focal point: Middleweight mashup
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 17: (L-R) Jared Cannonier punches Sean Strickland in a middleweight combat throughout the UFC Struggle Night time occasion at UFC APEX on December 17, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
The principle occasion for UFC on ESPN 57 options one other middleweight matchup between two males who’re extremely offensively-minded.
Steadily growing a hard-hitting recreation since stepping onto the UFC scene, Cannonier has made marked enhancements below the care of John Crouch and the remainder of the teaching employees at The MMA Lab. Now, transferring rather more easily, Cannonier can shift his stance pre or post-combination, punctuating his presence with larger impact than earlier than.
Sometimes using strain to create openings for offense, Cannonier retains arduous photographs on a hair set off, prepared to come back ahead or counter on the drop of a dime. The 13-year professional has additionally seemingly picked up his stablemate’s knack for throwing the calf kick (or low leg kicks), displaying the power to assault his opponent’s decrease extremities from each stances.
Nevertheless, Cannonier remains to be not past being kicked or countered himself, so I’ll be curious to see how he approaches somebody like Imavov.
Though he seems to own a pure aptitude for countering, Imavov additionally has a penchant for piecing collectively offense off of his lead hand.
From lively feints to sneaky hooks off of his jab, Imavov appears to have a stable sense of vary that helps gas his assaults. And when Imavov can corral his opposition towards the cage, the Russia-born fighter is just not afraid to unleash every thing from hooking combos to flying knees.
Nonetheless, Imavov’s low-handed guard and typically lackadaisical strategy to his offense have price him each when coming ahead (within the type of counters) and when going backward in prolonged exchanges (as Imavov’s head can even go upright when retreating in straight strains).
Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov breakdown: Potential grappling threats
Jun 10, 2023; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Nassourdine Imavov applies a maintain towards Chris Curtis throughout UFC 289 at Rogers Enviornment. Necessary Credit score: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports activities
Contemplating the potential for chaos on the ft, nobody ought to be shocked if this get together hits the ground on Saturday.
Regardless that the fighter from France doesn’t have loads of takedown makes an attempt on the stat sheet, Imavov’s offensive nature typically finds himself flowing or crashing into clinch house in his fights.
Imavov will typically parlay this momentum into opportunistic level-changing takedown makes an attempt that both rating or permit him to safe his foes alongside the fence.
Imavov has seemingly absorbed loads of the muay Thai swagger seen in loads of Fernand Lopez fighters, so I wouldn’t be stunned to see the 28-year-old make the most of his stable framing recreation in near land some vicious elbows and knees of his personal. That stated, Imavov now has a brand new workforce behind him, and I’m undecided how a lot he’ll need to go strength-for-strength with a man like Cannonier in closed quarters.
Spending a good chunk of his UFC profession warding off grapplers, Cannonier has confirmed to be absolute dynamite in small areas.
From his improved skill to defensively scramble to the slugging photographs that he sneaks in mid-transition, the 40-year-old has come a great distance from the sunshine heavyweight who was vulnerable to enjoying guard when taken down. And when Cannonier is the one who finally ends up on topside, the “Killa Gorilla” is fast to unleash hell from above within the type of unforgiving ground-and-pound.
Imavov is a stable transitional grappler from topside (notably when working towards the fence), however he’ll must exhibit improved urgency ought to he find yourself beneath Cannonier.
Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov odds
The oddsmakers and the general public are barely siding with the youthful fighter, itemizing Imavov as a slight favourite at -128 and Cannonier a slight underdog at +100, by way of FanDuel.
Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov prediction, decide
Regardless that a part of me anticipated Imavov to be a bigger betting favourite, it’s nonetheless arduous to be assured in him over 5 rounds because of his propensity to flag in fights. That stated, it’s additionally troublesome to be too bullish on Cannonier contemplating that the 40-year-old competitor is coming off a good layoff and knee harm.
If Imavov can pull some unhealthy defensive reactions out of Cannonier early by way of feints or double jabs, then no one ought to be stunned if the native of France can end the American early with a well-placed cross.
Except for struggling towards southpaws, fighters who can each counter and provide straight photographs down the pike have historically supplied issues for Cannonier, no matter stance.
Nonetheless, I’ve a tough time choosing towards Cannonier on this spot.
Not solely is Cannonier the extra confirmed fighter, however the MMA Lab product has proven that he can come again from adversity and combat arduous for 5 frames with out flagging. For that motive, I’ll swing the opposite manner and facet with Cannonier to edge out the scorecards with the extra impactful blows down the stretch.
Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov begin time, the place to observe
As the principle occasion, Cannonier and Imavov are anticipated to make their walks to the octagon at roughly 10:30 p.m. ET. The combat broadcasts stay on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ESPN 57.
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