Fight Predictions: UFC on ESPN+ 116: Imavov vs Borralho

Nassourdine Imavov & Caio Borralho Face off after weigh-ins.

Saturday night marks the fourth time the UFC brings an event to Paris, France's Accor Arena. With five homegrown fighters on the docket, all in intriguing match-ups, especially the last two of the night!

The card has seen several pivots, one of which has Harry Hardwick stepping in on short-notice to face Kauê Fernandes. Hardwick is currently the 'Cage Warriors' Featherweight Champion, on an 8 fight win streak, moving up to Lightweight with stoppages in his last four fights! Brazil's Fernandes is no push over though, winning his last two as well as having made the walk three times for the BIG show!

There are three other fighters making their debuts on the card, starting with Dutch Heavyweight, Ante Delija. Who's actually having a rematch with Marcin Tybura, after their first meeting in M-1, September 2015!

Poland's Robert Ruchała, the current KSW Interim Featherweight Champion also makes his debut against William Gomis. Although Ruchała does like to stand, he also has a number of submissions he can draw upon! Then there is Axel Sola, whose clash with Rhys McKee has been elevated to the 'Main Card'. Sola is the undefeated (with one draw) Ares Lightweight Champion, so he's moving up to challenge Mckee.

Our 'Co-main' has the 'God of War', Benoît Saint Denis, looking to build upon his last victory and get back into title contention. Standing opposite him though is a nerd who's definitely not getting stuffed in a locker. Maurício Ruffy came via the Contender Series, and has massively impressed in his first three clashes inside the Octagon! A BIG win could have his name in the title talk, f'sure!

THEN, the 'Main Event', our 'Headline' fight most definitely has title implications, stated by Dana himself! 'The Sniper', Nassourdine Imavov, currently riding a four fight win streak, with wins over top flight competition, two of which were former champions, wants one more big scalp for his trophy cabinet. His challenge for the night though is on a sixteen fight win streak, he's the head of one of the most dangerous fight camps, and he is hungry! Caio Borralho hasn't fought at quite the same level as Imavov, BUT, he's impressed every step of the way! Making this one hell of a fight to close the show with!!

For the full event preview, you can listen to the podcast (ep 269) Otherwise, here are your @ChinCheckPod #fightpredictions 🥊

Main Card

Watch Headline Fight breakdown: HERE.

Main Event - Middleweight

Nassourdine Imavov vs Caio Borralho (W)

Watch the Co-Main breakdown: HERE.

Co-Main - Lightweight

Benoît Saint Denis vs Maurício Ruffy (W)

Watch Main card breakdown: HERE.

Light Heavyweight

Modestas Bukauskas (W) vs Paul Craig

Lightweight

Bolaji Oki vs Mason Jones (W)

Welterweight

Rhys McKee vs Axel Sola (W)

Featherweight

William Gomis (W) vs Robert Ruchała

Preliminary card

Watch breakdown: HERE.

Light Heavyweight

Oumar Sy (W) vs Brendson Ribeiro

Heavyweight

Marcin Tybura vs Ante Delija (W)

Lightweight

Harry Hardwick (W) vs Kauê Fernandes

Welterweight

Sam Patterson (W) vs Trey Waters

Middleweight

Brad Tavares vs Robert Bryczek (W)

Welterweight

Andreas Gustafsson vs Rinat Fakhretdinov (W)

Women's Strawweight

Shauna Bannon vs Sam Hughes (W)

*Featherweight - CANCELLED

Patrício Pitbull vs Losene Keita (W)