O UFC returns to Louisville for the first time in over 13 years on Saturday with UFC on ESPN 57 at KFC Yum! Center (8 p.m. ET), and there’s a lot going on in the main event.
Medium-ranked candidates Jared Cannonier (17-6) and Nassourdine Imavov (13-4) face off in a five-round fight in what both men hope is the next step toward a title fight.
Cannonier, who fell short in his first attempt at UFC gold in July 2022, has rebuilt himself with consecutive victories, one against the controversial former champion Sean Strickland.
The Phoenix fighter is fourth in the official UFC rankings and admits that he was expecting a bigger-name opponent. However, Cannonier, 40, knows UFC brass appreciates active athletes, so he wouldn’t turn down a headlining opportunity.
“I wanted something better,” Cannonier told The Courier-Journal. “But these crumbs were all that was left for me. Instead of standing on the shelf, I accepted this fight. .”
Imavov, 8th place, 28 years old, has no such complaints with matchmaking. He is the youngest competitor still trying to prove his name and earn his first UFC title shot.
When the phone rang for this fight, he attacked.
“It’s a very good thing for me,” Imavov said through an interpreter. “It’s once again proof that the UFC believes in me. The fact that I accept all the struggles. Everyone, everywhere, every time. This is also why the UFC gives me preference and makes me fight difficult opponents.”
Imavov traveled more than 10 hours from France, where he lives and trained for this fight. He loves the opportunity to see different parts of the world and experience Louisville for the first time.
Although Imavov knows he will likely be the heel of the crowd on fight night, he is embracing all the elements.
“I like the city – it’s very calm and peaceful and I can’t wait to perform,” said Imavov. “I hope they make a lot of noise. They can cheer for him, they can cheer for me – for me it’s the same thing. As long as there’s noise, I’ll be happy.”
Cannonier is also enjoying the atmosphere ahead of Saturday’s event. For the past nearly four years, he has only fought in Las Vegas and Texas, so getting the chance to close the show in a fight-hungry region is something he is proud of.
“There’s a lot of trees and fresh air and things like that,” Cannonier said. “I like hitting the road and it’s good to be back in front of a fighting crowd in an arena again. This will be a lot of fun. It’s really cool to do that.”
More: UFC Fight Night returns to Louisville for the first time in over a decade
This article originally appeared in the Louisville Courier Journal: UFC’s return to Louisville highlighted by top middleweights on Saturday
