Which Religion Does Nassourdine Imavov Follow?

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is set for his first non-title fight since 2019, scheduled for this week at UFC Fight Night 250 in the ‘Land of the Two Holy Mosques.’ In the headline bout, ‘Izzy’ will face #5 ranked middleweight Nassourdine Imavov, a rising Dagestani-French star, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. While Adesanya is still the bigger name in the UFC, the spotlight is now on ‘The Sniper,’ who, despite being the underdog, enters the fight on a strong three-fight win streak.

Meanwhile, fan-favorite ‘The Last Stylebender’ comes into this fight after two surprising losses to underdogs, making the upcoming event in Saudi Arabia feel oddly familiar and generating excitement among fans. Nassourdine Imavov, 29, hails from Dagestan and is frequently compared to his UFC “brothers” from the region. But is he also Muslim? Let’s dive deeper into ‘The Sniper’s’ journey and his unique identity as a French-Dagestani fighter.

 Does Nassourdine Imavov follow Islam?

“During Ramadan, I focus on staying fit. I usually train late in the evening, about an hour or slightly more before it’s time to eat. That way, I can give it my all, and when I get home, I can eat right away. The key mistake to avoid is training like you normally would, such as working out at 10 o’clock in the morning and again in the evening,” Nassourdine Imavov explained during his appearance on the Zack en Route Libre podcast in Ramadan.

Ramadan is an important religious observance during which Muslims around the world fast for the entire month. Many UFC fighters, including Dagestani legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and Umar Nurmagomedov, take a step back from active competition and intense training during this period.

However, Nassourdine Imavov takes a different approach, keeping his evening workouts light just before breaking his fast. This approach makes the 29-year-old French-based fighter stand out among his Dagestani counterparts. Unlike many of his peers, the French native moved from Dagestan to France at a young age, seeking a better life and the opportunity to carve out a name for himself in the world of combat sports.

Nassourdine Imavov’s background

Nassourdine Imavov, born on March 1, 1995, in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, hails from a Kumyk ethnic background. However, his growth and development as a fighter took place in France, where he and his family relocated when he was just 9 years old. Early in his career, ‘The Sniper’ focused on boxing, which has helped him deliver powerful knockouts in MMA. Despite his Dagestani roots, he proudly represents France in competitions, including his UFC debut at Fight Night, headlined by Holm vs. Aldana, where he made an impressive debut with a victory.

The French native’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks, with a few losses along the way. However, he has bounced back and now holds a 7-2-1 record after 10 fights, with one no-contest. He’s now set to extend his win streak against former champion Israel Adesanya at UFC Fight Night 250. Do you believe Nassourdine, ranked #5 in the middleweight division, can extend his streak by overcoming the former champ, Adesanya, despite being the underdog? Share your thoughts below!

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