- UFC middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov, currently ranked #3 in the UFC middleweight division, has signed with France-based production and management outfit LSMprod for U.S. representation, with founder Liil-Serge Mbeutcha handling the account.
- The signing covers the United States territory, positioning Imavov for expanded brand, media, and commercial opportunities stateside as he pushes toward a UFC middleweight title shot.
- Imavov previously trained and was managed under MMA Factory founder Fernand Lopez before parting ways in late 2023 and moving to management under Younes Benabdelouahed.
- LSMprod, now operating from Los Angeles, brings a digital content and entertainment background to the deal, reflecting Imavov's rising commercial and media profile.
Nassourdine Imavov, the Russian-born French UFC middleweight known as “The Sniper,” has signed with LSMprod for representation in the United States. Liil-Serge Mbeutcha, founder and CEO of LSMprod, will oversee the partnership.
Currently ranked #3 in the UFC middleweight division, Imavov is coming off back-to-back marquee performances. He delivered a stunning second-round knockout over former two-time champion Israel Adesanya at UFC Fight Night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in February 2025.
He then defeated Caio Borralho by unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) in the main event of UFC Fight Night: Imavov vs. Borralho at Accor Arena in Paris on September 6, 2025.
The deal marks a fresh chapter in Imavov’s representation setup. He previously operated under MMA Factory before officially departing MMA Factory and Lopez’s management to be represented by a new management company headed by Younes Benabdelouahed.
The move to LSMprod comes as Imavov’s commercial appeal peaks. Similar to how Anderson Silva signed with Paradigm for representation to grow his post-fighting brand, Imavov is clearly thinking bigger picture.
LSMprod, founded by Liil-Serge Mbeutcha, specializes in the production and distribution of digital content, operating at the intersection of entertainment, sport, and digital marketing, a well-suited fit for a fighter at the edge of UFC title contention.
David Ross’s recent signing with Athletes First also reflects the broader trend of athletes prioritizing representation as their off-field careers scale.
Takeaways
This is a smart play for both sides. Imavov is the hottest name in the UFC middleweight division right now (five straight wins, a knockout of a legend, a Paris main event sweep) and he’s heading into what could be a title fight. That’s exactly when a fighter needs sharp U.S. representation in place.
For LSMprod, landing a top-3 UFC contender with a massive French fanbase and a growing global following is a serious statement signing that puts the boutique outfit on the industry map.
Liil-Serge Mbeutcha’s LA base makes this practical too, the U.S. market is where the sponsorship and media money is.
With LSMprod’s digital content expertise, could we see Imavov build a more prominent media presence in the U.S. ahead of a potential title fight? How does Imavov’s Dagestani-French identity play as a crossover asset in both European and American markets?
