Nassourdine Imavov is one of the UFC's most explosive middleweights, and this old sparring footage with Rountree is wild. The clip shows a young Imavov trading shots with Khalil Rountree inside a crowded Paris gym, with MMA Factory branding on the wall and teammates crowding the ring as both men throw hard, relentless combinations. Imavov, born in Dagestan and raised in France since age nine, now owns a 17-4 record in mixed martial arts after outstriking Caio Borralho at UFC Paris, while Rountree fights as a ferocious light heavyweight with nine knockout wins. Known for dominant jabs and devastating counters, Imavov is negotiating a rematch with Sean Strickland as of October 2026. #ufc #mma #sparring #france #paris
Old sparring footage of Nassourdine Imavov and Khalil Rountree is making the rounds, and it shows both men throwing hard from the opening exchanges. The clip takes viewers back to a crowded Paris gym, where a younger Imavov trades heavy combinations with Rountree while teammates pack the area around the ring. MMA Factory branding is visible on the wall.
Both fighters go after each other with relentless pace, with neither man content to circle and feel things out. The footage underlines a pairing of two fighters known for their striking, even if the session took place well before either reached the top of the sport.
Imavov's rise
Imavov, a 30-year-old French middleweight nicknamed The Sniper, is ranked third in his division with a 17-4 record. Born in Dagestan, he has lived in France since age nine and trains with MMA Factory, the Paris team seen in the clip. His most recent win came at UFC Paris, where he outstruck Caio Borralho.
The orthodox fighter stands six-foot-three, 191 cm, with a 75-inch reach, and the numbers back up his reputation for precise, damaging striking. He lands 4.28 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy. He also averages 0.74 takedowns and one submission attempt per 15 minutes, which makes him more rounded than his standup reputation suggests. He is known for a dominant jab and sharp counters, and he is negotiating a rematch with Sean Strickland as of October 2026.
Rountree on the other side
Rountree fights as a light heavyweight and has built a reputation as a ferocious finisher, with nine knockout wins to his name. That power is on display in the footage, where he stays in the pocket and keeps firing with Imavov.
Why it matters
- The clip shows how Imavov's striking was already well developed in his Paris gym days.
- It offers a rare look at two fighters from different weight classes sharing a ring in training.
- With a Strickland rematch under discussion, Imavov's standup pedigree remains a central talking point at middleweight.
