UFC Paris, the fourth annual trip for the UFC to France, is here. Today (USA time,) the promotion touches down at Accor Arena for the first of three cards on the September schedule.
Live coverage begins at 12 noon ET/ 9 am PT on ESPN+ with the UFC Paris prelims, followed by the main card at 3 pm ET/ 12 noon PT. After a slightly chaotic official weigh-in window yesterday, 13 of the planned 14 fights will take place today.
Initially, Losene Keita was to make his UFC debut today versus Patricio Pitbull but the former missed the nontitle maximum for featherweights by 3 lbs at yesterday’s weigh-in. Pitbull weighed-in on-target at 145 lbs yesterday.
UFC Paris Main Event: No. 2 Contender Nassourdine Imavov vs. No. 7 Contender Caio Borralho
At the top of the bill, the middleweights do battle for a crucial contest. No. 2 contender Nassourdine Imavov (16-4, 1 NC MMA, 8-2, 1 NC UFC) meets No. 7 Caio Borralho (17-1, 1 NC MMA, 7-0 UFC.) This is a five-round fight at five minutes per round.
UFC Paris Co-Main Event: No. 13 Contender Benoit Saint-Denis vs. No. 15 Contender Mauricio Ruffy
Immediately beforehand, the co-main event of the evening happens at featherweight when No. 13 contender Benoit Saint-Denis (14-3, 1 NC MMA, 6-3 UFC) collides with No. 15 contender Mauricio Ruffy (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC.) This is a three-round fight at five minutes apiece.
Rest of the Card
Also today, you’ll be seeing a light heavyweight bout between Modestas Bukauskas (18-6 MMA, 6-4 UFC) and Paul Craig (17-9-1, 1 NC MMA, 9-9-1, 1 NC UFC), a lightweight contest versing Bolaji Oki (10-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) with Mason Jones (16-2, 1 NC MMA, 2-2, 1 NC UFC), a welterweight affair pairing Axel Sola (10-0-1 MMA, UFC promotional debut) against Rhys McKee (14-6-1 MMA, 1-4 UFC), and a fight moved up from the prelims versing William Gomis (14-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) with Robert Ruchala (11-1 MMA, UFC promotional debut.)
UFC Paris Results:
Main Card: (Today, 3 pm ET/ noon PT, ESPN+- United States Only)
UFC Paris Main Event: Nassourdine Imavov def. Caio Borralho by Unanimous Decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46.)
Co-Main Event: Benoit Saint-Denis def. Mauricio Ruffy by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 2:56 into Round 2.
Modestas Bukauskas def. Paul Craig by KO (Elbow) at 5:00 into Round 1. Craig retires from MMA after fight.
Mason Jones def. Bolaji Oki by TKO (Elbows) at 3:18 into Round 2.
Axel Sola def. Rhys McKee by TKO (Body Shot followed by Ground and Pound) at 2:02 into Round 3.
William Gomis def. Robert Ruchala by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28.)
Prelims: (Today, noon ET/ 9 am PT, ESPN+- United States Only)
UFC Paris Featured Prelim: Oumar Sy def. Brendson Ribeiro by TKO (Ground and Pound) at 4:42 into Round 1.
Co-Featured Prelim: Ante Delija def. Marcin Tybura by TKO (Uppercut Followed by Ground and Pound) at 2:03 into Round 1.
Kaue Fernandes def. Harry Hardwick by TKO (Leg Kick) at 3:21 into Round 1. 19th leg kick knockout in UFC history.
Sam Patterson def. Trey Waters by TKO (Right Hook) at 3:01 into Round 1.
Robert Bryczek def. Brad Tavares by TKO (Hammerfists) at 1:43 into Round 3.
Rinat Fakhretdinov def. Andreas Gustafsson by TKO (Punches) at 0:54 into Round 1.
Sam Hughes def. Shauna Bannon by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 1:58 into Round 2. Hughes: Second win by stoppage since joining UFC in 2020.
