Chris Curtis slams Nassourdine Imavov after blatant illegal head kick at UFC Vegas 85: ‘What a time to be alive’

Chris Curtis and Nassourdine ImavovMiddleweight standout Chris Curtis was left fuming after his teammate, Roman Dolidze, was on the wrong side of a…

Chris Curtis and Nassourdine Imavov

Middleweight standout Chris Curtis was left fuming after his teammate, Roman Dolidze, was on the wrong side of a series of illegal blows in his UFC Vegas 85 headliner with Nassourdine Imavov.

While the bout between Dolidze and Imavov was largely lackluster, things began to heat up in the fourth round when Imavov delivered a brutal head kick to Dolidze. The only problem was that Dolidze had his hand planted on the mat establishing him as a downed fighter.

Dolidze’s corner — which included Curtis — erupted in protest. Taking exception to their comments, Imavov nearly started a cageside brawl before referee Herb Deal pulled him back, threatening to disqualify him if the outburst continued.

Once the bickering stopped and Dolidze had some time to recover, the fight was restarted without issue. In the end, Nassourdine Imavov went on to win the bout via majority decision, but it’s safe to say the feud between Imavov and ‘The Action Man’ is far from over.

Shortly after the contest, Curtis took a dig at Imavov on X, noting all the infractions he claims to have witnessed during the heated main event.

Imavov Wants to Settle Things with Chris Curtis Behind Closed Doors

The rivalry between Chris Curtis and the ‘Russian Sniper’ goes back to their June 2023 clash at UFC 289. The bout was called off in the second round and declared a no-contest after an accidental clash of heads.

During his appearance at the post-fight press conference on Saturday, Imavov offered Curtis an opportunity to settle things with a “real sparring session” at Xtreme Couture. “I’m going to destroy him as I did in the cage,” Imavov added.

Chris Curtis slams Nassourdine Imavov after blatant illegal head kick at UFC Vegas 85: ‘What a time to be alive’

Chris Curtis and Nassourdine ImavovMiddleweight standout Chris Curtis was left fuming after his teammate, Roman Dolidze, was on the wrong side of a…

Chris Curtis and Nassourdine Imavov

Middleweight standout Chris Curtis was left fuming after his teammate, Roman Dolidze, was on the wrong side of a series of illegal blows in his UFC Vegas 85 headliner with Nassourdine Imavov.

While the bout between Dolidze and Imavov was largely lackluster, things began to heat up in the fourth round when Imavov delivered a brutal head kick to Dolidze. The only problem was that Dolidze had his hand planted on the mat establishing him as a downed fighter.

Dolidze’s corner — which included Curtis — erupted in protest. Taking exception to their comments, Imavov nearly started a cageside brawl before referee Herb Deal pulled him back, threatening to disqualify him if the outburst continued.

Once the bickering stopped and Dolidze had some time to recover, the fight was restarted without issue. In the end, Nassourdine Imavov went on to win the bout via majority decision, but it’s safe to say the feud between Imavov and ‘The Action Man’ is far from over.

Shortly after the contest, Curtis took a dig at Imavov on X, noting all the infractions he claims to have witnessed during the heated main event.

Imavov Wants to Settle Things with Chris Curtis Behind Closed Doors

The rivalry between Chris Curtis and the ‘Russian Sniper’ goes back to their June 2023 clash at UFC 289. The bout was called off in the second round and declared a no-contest after an accidental clash of heads.

During his appearance at the post-fight press conference on Saturday, Imavov offered Curtis an opportunity to settle things with a “real sparring session” at Xtreme Couture. “I’m going to destroy him as I did in the cage,” Imavov added.

Nassourdine Imavov tries to brawl with Chris Curtis during main event clash against Roman Dolidze – UFC Vegas 85 Highlights

Nassourdine ImavovDagestani standout Nassourdine Imavov left The APEX with another big win on his resume, though it didn’t come without…

Nassourdine Imavov

Dagestani standout Nassourdine Imavov left The APEX with another big win on his resume, though it didn’t come without a bit of controversy.

From the opening bell, it was clear that Imavov had the advantage on the feet. That much was evident when he nearly finished Dolidze in the opening round with a big right hand and a heap of ground-and-pound strikes.

After a back-and-forth clinch battle in the second and third rounds, things proceeded to heat up in the fourth when Imavov delivered a blatantly illegal head kick to Dolidze who had one hand on the mat, signifying that he was a downed opponent.

As Dolidze attempted to recover, Imavov began arguing with his opponent’s corner, including UFC standout Chris Curtis. That forced referee Herb Dean to step in and threaten to disqualify Imavov.

After a few moments, cooler heads prevailed and Dolidze was ready to continue. Clearly pissed off, Dolidze went for broke, securing his first takedown of the fight.

The fifth round was by far the most competitive with Dolidze doing a little submission hunting in the later moments, but in the end, Imavov survived the final five and scored his fifth win inside the Octagon.

Official Result: Nassourdine Imavov def. Roman Dolidze via majority decision (49-44, 47-47, 48-46)

Check Out Highlights From Roman Dolidze vs. Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Vegas 85:

Marvin Vettori: Roman Dolidze ‘Biting Off More Than He Can Chew’ At UFC 286

UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori believes he represents too steep a step up in competition for upcoming opponent Roman Dolidze. Having failed in his first attempt at having gold wrapped around his waist inside the Octagon, Vettori is on the pa…

UFC middleweight contender Marvin Vettori believes he represents too steep a step up in competition for upcoming opponent Roman Dolidze. Having failed in his first attempt at having gold wrapped around his waist inside the Octagon, Vettori is on the path to redemption. The Italian fell short of title glory at UFC 263 in 2021,…

Continue Reading Marvin Vettori: Roman Dolidze ‘Biting Off More Than He Can Chew’ At UFC 286 at MMA News.

MMA News’ Top 10 Finishes Of The Week (11/27-12/3)

Welcome to this week’s edition of MMA News’ Top 10 Finishes of the week! Every week there’s highlight-reel finishes all across the MMA world, and we’ve found some of the absolute best ones to showcase. This week’s list may not have the kind of cr…

Welcome to this week’s edition of MMA News’ Top 10 Finishes of the week! Every week there’s highlight-reel finishes all across the MMA world, and we’ve found some of the absolute best ones to showcase. This week’s list may not have the kind of crazy finishes showcased by some other editions of the Top 10,…

Continue Reading MMA News’ Top 10 Finishes Of The Week (11/27-12/3) at MMA News.

Roman Dolidze calls for fight with Khamzat Chimaev following TKO win over Jack Hermansson

roman dolidzeUFC middleweight prospect Roman Dolidze wants the most hyped contender in all of MMA next, Khamzat Chimaev, following a dominant stoppage victory over no. 8 ranked Jack Hermansson last night at UFC Orlando. Dolidze put on the performance of his career against Hermansson; once taken down in the opening round, he threatened Hermansson with a […]

roman dolidze

UFC middleweight prospect Roman Dolidze wants the most hyped contender in all of MMA next, Khamzat Chimaev, following a dominant stoppage victory over no. 8 ranked Jack Hermansson last night at UFC Orlando.

Dolidze put on the performance of his career against Hermansson; once taken down in the opening round, he threatened Hermansson with a guillotine choke, before securing a beautiful armbar sweep not long thereafter.

In round two, Dolidze would end up on his back again, only to attempt another armbar, later transitioning to an inverted triangle.

Next he’d lock up a reverse calf slicer, flattening Hermansson out on the mat as he pounded away en route to a TKO victory at 4:06 of round two.

The 34 year old Georgian talent took an opportunity to call out undefeated Khamzat Chimaev in his post-fight interview:

“I think if he will not do (fight) anymore at 170 (lbs), and he will be 185, he will need some ranked opponent. And I think it’s a good opportunity for him to go in top 10, and for me (it’s a) good opportunity for me to fight with a name like him one more time. I know this guy, he’s a good person and I also respect him like a fighter. That’s why I want to fight him, (he’s) like one of the best names in the game.

Dolidze continued: “He is very good wrestler, high level, but I’m also a very good, high level athlete.”

Roman Dolidze is now 12-1 as a professional with this victory, and he’s now on a four-fight win streak with three finishes.

Of those three finishes, the first two came via KO against Kyle Daukaus and Phil Hawes, before picking up this TKO victory last night, all three of which earned him Performance of the Night awards.

With this win, Dolidze should find himself inside the top 10 of the UFC’s middleweight division this coming week.

Would you like to see Khamzat Chimaev vs Roman Dolidze next?

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