SUMMARY
- Nassourdine Imavov got the better of Roman Dolidze at UFC Vegas 85.
- Imavov was deducted a point in the fourth round for a controversial kick on a 'grounded opponent'.
The main event of UFC Vegas 85 was marred with another ‘grounded opponent’ controversy. Nassourdine Imavov kicked Roman Dolidze, who, as per the books, was downed. Imavov got into a heated altercation with Dolidze’s camp after the kick, especially with Chris Curtis. Although the Frenchman was deducted a point, he picked up a comfortable win.
A battle from the very first round @Imavov1 is leaving tonight’s #UFCVegas85 main event with the victory! 💪 pic.twitter.com/rtVdVu8FlD
— UFC (@ufc) February 4, 2024
The Russian-born French fighter dominated from the very first round. Imavov’s hard right blasted Dolidze and the Georgian fighter was down. Imavov started landing a flurry of punches but could not convert it into a KO. The Frenchman did not create as many moments in the second round but he seemed to win that round as well.
Dolidze continuously opted for the clinch while Imavov was looking to end it early. In the fourth round, however, Imavov lost a point. Dolidze was bent down with one of his hands on the canvas. Imavov was well aware of the fact that Dolidze was legally a grounded opponent. However, he went for a kick that struck the Georgian right in the face.
Referee Herb Dean separated the fighters. Imavov, who has a rivalry with Curtis, exchanged words with him. There was palpable tension between Imavov and Dolidze’s corner as the referee deducted one point from Imavov and threatened a DQ.
#UFCVegas85 Official Scorecards: Roman Dolidze vs Nassourdine Imavov (@Imavov1)
See every scorecard here ➡️: https://t.co/XVU7gRtHdg pic.twitter.com/2g0I4VvjQf
— UFC News (@UFCNews) February 4, 2024
The match continued and the five rounds were completed. Imavov, if not for the deducted point, would have won the match via unanimous decision. The judges scored the fight 49-44, 47-47, and 48-46 in favor of Nassourdine Imavov.
However, controversy regarding a ‘downed opponent’ has been raging in the UFC for a while now. Most recently, another incident took place at UFC 297.
Arnold Allen was controversially stopped from striking Movsar Evloev at UFC 297
A featherweight bout between Arnold Allen and undefeated fighter Movsar Evloev was marked with controversy at UFC 297. Evloev dominated the fight before Allen had him in a headlock in the final round. While in the headlock, Allen tried to strike Evloev with his knee multiple times. Each time, Evloev’s hand was dropping on the canvas and moving away.
Evloev is an absolute coward
Instead of trying to defend himself he tries to become a “downed opponent” so Allen can’t knee him pic.twitter.com/2XQSpKqiHC
— Casual MMA (@casualmmainc) January 21, 2024
The referee stopped the fight and in the process stopped Allen’s chance of a TKO win. Evloev was given time to recover. Although Allen’s points were not deducted, he lost to Evloev via unanimous decision. Many including Joe Rogan and Aljamain Sterling believed the knee strikes were legal.
Fans demand a change in the ‘grounded opponent’ rule after Nassourdine Imavov was deducted a point
Fans were not impressed by the stoppage due to the controversially illegal kick by Imavov. X account Spinnin Backfist posted the video of the kick and captioned it, “This is EXACTLY why the rule needs to go. this should be LEGAL all the time. #UFCVegas85”
this is EXACTLY why the rule needs to go. this should be LEGAL all the time. #UFCVegas85 pic.twitter.com/4tIwu67iYA
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 4, 2024
One fan commented, “I agree. It has to be legal.” Another fan wrote, “Yea it should be a legal strike. Very ugly tactics.” Another fan agreed and wrote, “Couldn’t agree more! Let’s make this LEGAL all the time! Who’s ready for some rule changes? #UFCVegas85″
Chris Curtis, on the other hand, had opposite ideas. He was on a social media break for a few months but came back in February. After Dolidze’s loss, he wrote on X, “4 eye pokes 2 head butts and kicking a downed opponent What a time to be alive…”
4 eye pokes
2 head butts
and kicking a downed opponentWhat a time to be alive…
— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) February 4, 2024
Striking a grounded opponent is a rule that needs more clarity in the UFC. Controversial decisions regarding this are becoming a regularity.