Middleweights Edmen Shahbazyan and Nassourdine Imavov are set to clash at the upcoming UFC 268 card on Nov. 6 with the event currently targeted for Madison Square Garden in New York.
Multiple sources confirmed the matchup to MMA Fighting following an initial report from Lasueur.com.
At just 23, Shahbazyan remains one of the brightest prospects on the UFC roster despite falling in his last two fights to Derek Brunson and Jack Hermansson. The former Contender Series winner started his career in the octagon with four straight wins including a blistering knockout over veteran middleweight Brad Tavares.
He then lost those back-to-back fights to a pair of fighters currently ranked amongst the best in the world at 185 pounds but now Shahbazyan will look to rebuild as he plots his return in November.
As for Imavov, the Russian fighter who trains out of Francis, just recently picked up his second win in the UFC after stopping Ian Heinisch by knockout by in July. Imavov is now 2-1 in the UFC with his loss coming by majority decision in a fight against Phil Hawes.
Shahbazyan vs. Imavov joins a growing lineup expected for UFC 268 with a welterweight title fight between reigning champion Kamaru Usman and top-ranked contender Colby Covington in the works as the main event.