Nassourdine Imavov just did what only a few men in MMA history can claim, he made Israel Adesanya look mortal. Thirty seconds into the second round, a well-placed right hand sent ‘The Last Stylebender’ crashing to the canvas, handing him his third straight loss during his first non-title fight in six years, leaving fans questioning what’s next for the former champion. But forget Adesanya for a second, because the real question is, where does ‘The Sniper’ go from here?

If you ask Imavov, the answer is simple, give him the winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland at UFC 312. “I think there’s no doubt I’m worth (fighting) for the belt,” he declared, and on paper, he’s got a strong case. Four wins in a year, two against top-five opponents, and an exclamation-point finish over a former champion. That’s contender material.

But the UFC doesn’t always do things by the book. If the champ, Du Plessis retains the belt, the Nigerian could somehow slide back into the conversation because, well, history (and favorable matchmaking) have a way of working in his favor. However, if Strickland wins, things could take a turn for the highly interesting. The Russian has unfinished business with the loudmouth American after losing to him via decision in 2023. A title fight with the prospective champ (current #1 contender) wouldn’t just be a shot at redemption, it would be pure chaos. And, let’s be honest, the press conferences alone would be worth the price of admission.

So, what does Nassourdine Imavov’s road ahead look like?

But of course, Imavov could take a different approach, one that Adesanya himself recently hinted at. Heading into his fight against the Dagestani contender, the former champ made it clear he wasn’t just about chasing gold. “Without the title on this one, it just gives me a sense of freedom, so I can just go in there and fight and get paid,” he said in an interview with SportsNet. “Just having fun while I’m in there, just being free just to do whatever I want to do without any consequences of a belt being on the line.” Fun? Oh, we definitely had fun. And talking about consequences, well, we’ll see about those soon enough, right?

Adesanya might be trying to convince himself that he’s still a major player, but the reality is, without the belt, he’s just another big name in the mix. And Imavov? He’s now the one with momentum. If the title shot doesn’t come immediately, he could take a page from The Last Stylebender’s book, stay active, keep fighting, and keep proving his worth. Two names stand out. First, there’s Khamzat Chimaev, the undefeated juggernaut sitting at #3 in the rankings. The UFC has been struggling to find someone willing to fight, and Imavov in the current win rush, would just be crazy enough to take that challenge. Beating ‘Borz’ would send an undeniable message, one that Dana White couldn’t ignore.

Then, there’s our former champion, Robert Whittaker. He has been hanging around the top of the division for what feels like forever now. ‘The Reaper’ would be the perfect test to see if Imavov is truly championship material. Whittaker’s elite striking, rock-solid takedown defense, and experience under the bright lights make him a nightmare for anyone. But if ‘The Sniper’ can pass that test? He’d be undeniable.

Nassourdine Imavov stands at the edge of greatness, and how he plays his next move could define his career. Does he sit back and wait for the title shot, hoping the UFC does the right thing? Or does he take another fight and force their hand? Either way, he’s no longer just a contender. He’s a legitimate problem for the entire middleweight division. So who do you think Imavov should fight next? Drop your picks in the comments below!