UFC Fight Night: Expert picks and best bets for Imavov vs. Borralho - ESPN

After a weekend without fights, UFC action returns on Saturday when middleweights Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho go head-to-head at Accor Arena in Paris (3 p.m. ET, prelims at noon on ESPN+).

Imavov, No. 4 in ESPN's divisional rankings, enters the fight riding a four-fight winning streak. Most recently, he beat former titleholder Israel Adesanya by second-round TKO in February.

Borralho, No. 6 by ESPN, is undefeated in his nine UFC fights. This will be his first Octagon appearance of 2025. Boralho was the first member of the Fight Nerds gym to earn a UFC contract in 2021.

In the co-main event, fellow Fighting Nerd Mauricio Ruffy takes on Benoît Saint Denis.

ESPN MMA analysts and commentators provide their predictions, and ESPN betting expert Ian Parker adds insight on the value bets available on the card.

Borralho is the better grappler, and his striking has actually developed into a real threat. An opponent having that versatility is a real problem for Imavov. Imavov does well when he's facing a pure grappler or a pure striker. The fighters who can do both can get him focused on one area and then attack him in the other discipline. I expected Borralho to take Jared Cannonier down to the mat in his last fight, but instead he handled Cannonier well on the feet. And that's because he's preparing for middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, who the winner of this fight could fight next. Borralho's improved striking will be the difference. — Anthony Smith

Imavov starts too slow. If he starts slow against Borralho, he'll let rounds slip away. Borralho will use his feints, good footwork and unpredictability to take rounds and possibly steal any rounds that might be closely scored by the judges. I think Borralho will win