Nassourdine Imavov named official backup for Du Plessis vs. Chimaev at UFC 319
Nassourdine Imavov named official backup for Du Plessis vs. Chimaev at UFC 319
Nassourdine Imavov will weigh in as a backup for the middleweight title fight at UFC 319.
Champion Dricus Du Plessis (23-2 MMA, 9-0 UFC) defends his title when he meets undefeated Khamzat Chimaev (14-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in the Aug. 16 main event at United Center in Chicago (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+).
Imavov (16-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC), who's coming off a knockout of former champion Israel Adesanya at UFC Fight Night 250 in February, has been named the official backup. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the news to MMA Junkie after an initial report from RMC Sport Combat.
Imavov earned the No. 1 spot in the UFC middleweight rankings after four straight wins over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, Brendan Allen, and Adesanya. Imavov was called out by No. 6 Caio Borralho, but the French fighter dismissed his challenge due to having nothing to gain from facing a lower-ranked opponent.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC Sports
32 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Christian McCaffrey: "I feel great" after injury-riddled 2024 season
After struggling through multiple injuries in 2024, running back Christian McCaffrey is healthy as the 49ers complete their offseason program this week. A day after head coach Kyle Shanahan called him 'a psycho in a good way,' McCaffrey told reporters that he's feeling great entering the summer break. 'I think this offseason I spent a lot of time kind of building back a base starting from scratch, so a lot of it was rehab,' McCaffrey said, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN, 'and [I] wanted to put myself in a position where I didn't miss a day of OTAs and I could practice and play football again, be healthy and not miss a day, and I did that.' In just four games last season, McCaffrey rushed for 202 yards and caught 15 passes for 146 yards. When he won AP offensive player of the year in 2023, McCaffrey led the league with 1,459 yards rushing, 339 touches, 2,023 yards from scrimmage, and 23 total touchdowns.
Newsweek
39 minutes ago
- Newsweek
How to Buy Inter Miami vs Al Ahly Tickets: 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Discount Promo Code
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will take part in their first match of the 2025 FIFA World Cup on Saturday against Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium, and you can claim a seat by purchasing tickets now. Shop: Inter Miami vs Al Ahly FIFA Club World Cup Tickets Soccer Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami in action against the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium on May 31, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami in action against the Columbus Crew at Chase Stadium on May 31, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Messi is one of the most popular athletes in the world, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience seeing him play live. His club is one of the many great teams competing in this summer's 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, and they open up their tournament campaign against Al Ahly. The Club World Cup is sure to be a massive draw for soccer fans across the country and the rest of the world, as the top clubs in the world compete in this high-level tournament. Shop: Inter Miami vs Al Ahly FIFA Club World Cup Tickets For the first time, the United States has the honor of being the host country in what is now an expanded 32-team field. Matches will run all the way until July 13th, with games taking place in Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Seattle, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Orlando, Cincinnati, Washington D.C., Charlotte, and Nashville. This is an excellent opportunity for fans in the United States to catch their favorite club teams and players in action. We don't get the chance very often in the States to see players like Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid, Harry Kane of Bayern Munich, Erling Haaland of Manchester City, and Ousmane Dembélé of Paris Saint-Germain play live, so you'll want to make sure not to miss out. Click on any of the links to order your tickets to Inter Miami vs Al Ahly or any other matches during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Shop: FIFA Club World Cup Tickets Vivid Seats Promo Code Use promo code NEWSWEEK20 to get $20 off your first Vivid Seats order of $200 or more (before taxes and fees). Offer valid for new customers only. Soccer Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe runs for the ball during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on May 24, 2025. Real Madrid's French forward #09 Kylian Mbappe runs for the ball during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on May 24, 2025. OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Schedule Saturday, 14 June Group A: Al Ahly FC v Inter Miami CF - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 20:00 Sunday, 15 June Group C: FC Bayern München v Auckland City FC - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 12:00 Group B: Paris Saint-Germain v Atlético de Madrid - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 12:00 Group A: SE Palmeiras v FC Porto - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 18:00 Group B: Botafogo v Seattle Sounders FC - Lumen Field, Seattle, 19:00 Monday, 16 June Group D: Chelsea FC v LAFC - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 15:00 Group C: CA Boca Juniors v SL Benfica - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 18:00 Group D: CR Flamengo v Espérance - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Tuesday, 17 June Group F: Fluminense FC v Borussia Dortmund - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 12:00 Group E: CA River Plate v Urawa Red Diamonds - Lumen Field, Seattle, 12:00 Group F: Ulsan HD v Mamelodi Sundowns FC - Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, 18:00 Group E: CF Monterrey v FC Internazionale Milano - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Wednesday, 18 June Group G: Manchester City v Wydad AC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00 Group H: Real Madrid C. F. v Al Hilal - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15:00 Group H: CF Pachuca v FC Salzburg - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 18:00 Group G: Al Ain FC v Juventus FC - Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 21:00 Thursday, 19 June Group A: SE Palmeiras v Al Ahly FC - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 12:00 Group A: Inter Miami CF v FC Porto - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 15:00 Group B: Seattle Sounders FC v Atlético de Madrid - Lumen Field, Seattle, 15:00 Group B: Paris Saint-Germain v Botafogo - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Friday, 20 June Group C: SL Benfica v Auckland City FC - Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, 12:00 Group D: CR Flamengo v Chelsea FC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 14:00 Group D: LAFC v Espérance - GEODIS Park, Nashville, 17:00 Group C: FC Bayern München v CA Boca Juniors - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 21:00 Saturday, 21 June Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns FC v Borussia Dortmund - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 12:00 Group E: FC Internazionale Milano v Urawa Red Diamonds - Lumen Field, Seattle, 12:00 Group F: Fluminense FC v Ulsan HD - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 18:00 Group E: CA River Plate v CF Monterrey - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Sunday, 22 June Group G: Juventus FC v Wydad AC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00 Group H: Real Madrid C. F. v CF Pachuca - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 15:00 Group H: FC Salzburg v Al Hilal - Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 18:00 Group G: Manchester City v Al Ain FC - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 21:00 Monday, 23 June Group B: Seattle Sounders FC v Paris Saint-Germain - Lumen Field, Seattle, 12:00 Group B: Atlético de Madrid v Botafogo - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 12:00 Group A: Inter Miami CF v SE Palmeiras - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 21:00 Group A: FC Porto v Al Ahly FC - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 21:00 Tuesday, 24 June Group C: Auckland City FC v CA Boca Juniors - GEODIS Park, Nashville, 14:00 Group C: SL Benfica v FC Bayern München - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 15:00 Group D: LAFC v CR Flamengo - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 21:00 Group D: Espérance v Chelsea FC - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Wednesday, 25 June Group F: Borussia Dortmund v Ulsan HD - TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, 15:00 Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns FC v Fluminense FC - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15:00 Group E: FC Internazionale Milano v CA River Plate - Lumen Field, Seattle, 18:00 Group E: Urawa Red Diamonds v CF Monterrey - Rose Bowl Stadium, Los Angeles, 18:00 Thursday, 26 June Group G: Juventus FC v Manchester City - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 15:00 Group G: Wydad AC v Al Ain FC - Audi Field, Washington, D.C., 15:00 Group H: Al Hilal v CF Pachuca - GEODIS Park, Nashville, 20:00 Group H: FC Salzburg v Real Madrid C. F. - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Round of 16 fixtures Saturday, 28 June Match 49: Group A winners v Group B runners-up - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 12:00 Match 50: Group C winners v Group D runners-up - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 16:00 Sunday, 29 June Match 51: Group B winners v Group A runners-up - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 12:00 Match 52: Group D winners v Group C runners-up - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 16:00 Monday, 30 June Match 53: Group E winners v Group F runners-up - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, 15:00 Match 54: Group G winners v Group H runners-up - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 21:00 Tuesday, 1 July Match 55: Group H winners v Group G runners-up - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 15:00 Match 56: Group F winners v Group E runners-up - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 21:00 Quarter-final fixtures Friday, 4 July Match 57: Winner match 53 v Winner match 54 - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, 15:00 Match 58: Winner match 49 v Winner match 50 - Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, 21:00 Saturday, 5 July Match 59: Winner match 51 v Winner match 52 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, 12:00 Match 60: Winner match 55 v Winner match 56 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 16:00 Semi-final fixtures Tuesday, 8 July Match 61: Winner match 57 v Winner match 58 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 15:00 Wednesday, 9 July Match 62: Winner match 59 v Winner match 60 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 15:00 FIFA Club World Cup Final Sunday, 13 July Match 63: Winner match 61 v Winner match 62 - MetLife Stadium, New York, New Jersey, 15:00 Shop: FIFA Club World Cup Tickets If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 69's Cody Garbrandt says Sean O'Malley 'looked like sh*t' in title fight loss
UFC on ESPN 69's Cody Garbrandt says Sean O'Malley 'looked like sh*t' in title fight loss ATLANTA – Cody Garbrandt is fully focused on getting back on track with a UFC on ESPN 69 win over Raoni Barcelos on Saturday, but if he gets it done, a big fight could await. Former UFC bantamweight champ Garbrandt (14-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) competes for the first time since UFC 300 in April 2024 when he takes on Barcelos (19-5 MMA, 8-4 UFC) at State Farm Arena (ESPN, ESPN+). It's an important bout for him, especially after recently signing a new multi-fight contract with the promotion. If Garbrandt can pull off something spectacular this weekend, as he has many times before, then it's hard not to consider a potential showdown with Sean O'Malley, who he once had a heated press conference exchange with and has since fired many verbal and social media shots toward. With O'Malley on a two-fight losing streak after consecutive title losses to champ Merab Dvalishvili, most recently at UFC 316 this month, it could be a potentially good time for the pair to settle their differences. "He should've kept smoking because he looked like sh*t," Garbrandt told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday's media day. "Whatever you have to do. Sometimes you lose and you try to reinvent yourself and find yourself. At the end of the day, you know who you are, you know what you've got to do. I know I'm one of the best fighters in the world. When you lose you've got everyone in your ear saying you've got to do this and you've got to do that. Just remember what got you there and who you are the end of the day. I think that's a huge fight and pay-per-view sale, Sean and I. But I'm focused on this fight this Saturday and then we'll let everything else fall in line." After dealing with some health issues including vertigo, Garbrandt, 33, said this is "the best I've felt in a while" due to mental and emotionally clarity. He hopes that translated into the octagon, because while his reign as champion is now many years ago and there's been many ups and downs since then, Garbrandt admits he doesn't have satisfaction with his career. "I'm a former world champion – yeah, that's great," Garbrandt said. "It's something that was amazing to accomplish, but it didn't fulfilled me. For me to be here, going through what I've gone through (with) the injuries, setbacks, losses – whatever you want to call it. To wake up every day and chase this dream, to push yourself to a limit and set goals inside of the fight career, it's something that wakes me up every day. It motivates me, it scares me and fills me with all different kinds of emotions to get in there and fight another man that's willing to do whatever to get the win."
