Nassourdine Imavov needed all 25 minutes but got the job done.
The Venum Training Camp stalwart moved ever closer to a shot at the Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight crown with a five-round unanimous decision over Caio Borralho in the UFC Fight Night 258 headliner on Saturday at Accor Arena in Paris. Imavov (17-4, 9-2 UFC) swept the scorecards with 50-45, 49-46 and 49-46 marks from the cageside judiciary.
Borralho (17-2, 7-1 UFC), who entered the Octagon on a 14-fight winning streak, was a step behind the Russia-born Frenchman for much of the tactical battle and leaned heavily on kicks to the body and lower extremities.