Joe Rogan called Nassourdine Imavov ‘something special’ after he pulverized rival with 20 brutal crucifix elbows

Nassourdine Imavov left Joe Rogan stunned after smashing Edmen Shahbzayan with elbows

After a decision defeat to Phil Hawes briefly stalled Imavov’s rise and left him 2-1 in the UFC, it did not take long for the rising French prospect to get back on track and show his high potential.

The result that really signalled ‘The Sniper’ as one to watch came at UFC 268, a 2021 pay-per-view headlined by Kamaru Usman’s rematch against Colby Covington.

Imavov destroyed Edmen Shahbazyan in one of the night’s top performances, with the Dagestan-born middleweight battering the once highly touted American with 20 elbows in the crucifix position. By the time the referee stepped in with less than 20 seconds of round two remaining, ‘The Golden Boy’ was bleeding profusely.

Among those stunned by the result was Joe Rogan on commentary, as the renowned podcaster lauded Imavov as “something special.”

“This is a terrible position here for Shahbazyan, and an amazing one for Imavov,” Rogan said.

“He’s moving into a crucifix position. This is terrible, this is terrible here for Shahbazyan.

“Oh my goodness,” Rogan remarked as Imavov rained down brutal elbows. “That’s it, that’s it. Wow.

“I’m telling you, man, that guy is coming into his own. He’s something special. And at 26 years of age, he just keeps getting better every time we see him inside the Octagon.”

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Nassourdine Imavov is coming off of his career-best win ahead of UFC Paris

When it comes to his crucial fight on September 6, Imavov would do well to top his victory from earlier this year.

After three wins on the bounce since his No Contest against Chris Curtis, the French contender had his biggest opportunity on MMA’s biggest stage to date this past February when he was matched up against an all-time great.

Making the most of the chance to break into title contention, Imavov knocked out Israel Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia. ‘The Sniper’ overcame a strong first round for the ex-champ, putting ‘The Last Stylebender’ out just 30 seconds into round two.

Imavov will now look to continue the momentum from that changing of the guard moment in a fight Chimaev pointed to as a title eliminator shortly after his middleweight title win at UFC 319.