Caio Borralho
The Natural
Brazil
Set for UFC 326 co-main
Borralho will face Reinier de Ridder in a middleweight matchup in the co-main event of UFC 326 on March 7 in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Both Borralho and his opponent are coming off devastating losses that derailed what would have been a clear path to a title shot at 185 pounds, so this fight is essentially to remain in the title picture. While Borralho holds an advantage in striking volume and is more of a knockout threat, he'll be giving up three inches in both height and reach to de Ridder. Most of de Ridder's career success has been via grappling, but Borralho's takedown defense is solid, and he's never been submitted in his MMA career. De Ridder suffered his third career knockout last October at the hands of Brendan Allen, so Borralho will likely look to stay out of prolonged grappling exchanges and use his striking for a statement victory.
Both Borralho and his opponent are coming off devastating losses that derailed what would have been a clear path to a title shot at 185 pounds, so this fight is essentially to remain in the title picture. While Borralho holds an advantage in striking volume and is more of a knockout threat, he'll be giving up three inches in both height and reach to de Ridder. Most of de Ridder's career success has been via grappling, but Borralho's takedown defense is solid, and he's never been submitted in his MMA career. De Ridder suffered his third career knockout last October at the hands of Brendan Allen, so Borralho will likely look to stay out of prolonged grappling exchanges and use his striking for a statement victory.
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De Ridder on tap
Borralho is scheduled to fight fellow middleweight Reinier de Ridder at UFC 326 in Las Vegas on March 7, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
In 2026, Borralho will look to redeem himself from a bad 2025. During his lone fight last year, he was dominated by Nassourdine Imavov in Paris, sliding down to the middle of the pack in the UFC's middleweight rankings. At No. 7, de Ridder is just below him at No. 8.
In 2026, Borralho will look to redeem himself from a bad 2025. During his lone fight last year, he was dominated by Nassourdine Imavov in Paris, sliding down to the middle of the pack in the UFC's middleweight rankings. At No. 7, de Ridder is just below him at No. 8.
No-shows Paris main event
Borralho lost to Nassourdine Imavov via unanimous decision (45-50, 46-49, 46-49) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Paris.
ANALYSIS
Looking at a potential title shot with a victory, Borralho put forth his worst UFC performance by a country mile. He simply was never able to get in rhythm against a quality opponent in Imavov. Borralho is a very technical fighter and is at his best when things are clean and pretty. When they get ugly like they did in this fight, it typically doesn't go well for him. The fact Caio failed on all five of his takedown attempts didn't help matters. The total strikes were 89 a piece, but the more notable blows certainly came from the Imavov side. The 32-year-old had won each of his first seven UFC fights, in addition to a pair of bouts on Dana White's Contender Series. It's Borralho's first loss of any kind since his second professional bout back in July 2015.
Looking at a potential title shot with a victory, Borralho put forth his worst UFC performance by a country mile. He simply was never able to get in rhythm against a quality opponent in Imavov. Borralho is a very technical fighter and is at his best when things are clean and pretty. When they get ugly like they did in this fight, it typically doesn't go well for him. The fact Caio failed on all five of his takedown attempts didn't help matters. The total strikes were 89 a piece, but the more notable blows certainly came from the Imavov side. The 32-year-old had won each of his first seven UFC fights, in addition to a pair of bouts on Dana White's Contender Series. It's Borralho's first loss of any kind since his second professional bout back in July 2015.
No. 1 contender next
Borralho is scheduled to compete against Nassourdine Imavov in a five-round fight at UFC Paris on Sept. 6, per Damon Martin of MMA Fighting.
ANALYSIS
UFC Paris' headliner is Borralho against Imavov, meaning their fight can go up to five rounds. With the UFC Middleweight Champion, Dricus Du Plessis, currently busy against another fighter, that leaves the title's No. 1 contender Imavov open to fight. This means that by defeating Imavov, Borralho may immediately be in line to compete for the UFC Middleweight Championship, which will be contested in August between DDP and Khamzat Chimaev.
UFC Paris' headliner is Borralho against Imavov, meaning their fight can go up to five rounds. With the UFC Middleweight Champion, Dricus Du Plessis, currently busy against another fighter, that leaves the title's No. 1 contender Imavov open to fight. This means that by defeating Imavov, Borralho may immediately be in line to compete for the UFC Middleweight Championship, which will be contested in August between DDP and Khamzat Chimaev.
Holds serve in first main event
Borralho defeated Jared Cannonier via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 48-46) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Competing in his first UFC main event and seeing the championship rounds for the first time in his career, Borralho displayed plenty of heart in getting past a very tough opponent. Caio had the better of the majority of the action, nearly finishing Cannonier in both the third and fifth rounds. That said, Jared landed more than his fair share of blows, including a huge Round 4 jab that opened a massive cut under Borralho's right eye. With the fight seemingly up for grabs entering the final frame, Caio dropped his opponent and dominated over the course of the final couple minutes, ensuring he would win the decision. The Brazilian has now won each of his first seven UFC bouts, in addition to a pair of victories on Dana White's Contender Series. Borralho isn't far from getting title-implicating bouts at 185 pounds. In the meantime, he'll walk away with an extra $50,000 after this back-and-forth affair was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
Competing in his first UFC main event and seeing the championship rounds for the first time in his career, Borralho displayed plenty of heart in getting past a very tough opponent. Caio had the better of the majority of the action, nearly finishing Cannonier in both the third and fifth rounds. That said, Jared landed more than his fair share of blows, including a huge Round 4 jab that opened a massive cut under Borralho's right eye. With the fight seemingly up for grabs entering the final frame, Caio dropped his opponent and dominated over the course of the final couple minutes, ensuring he would win the decision. The Brazilian has now won each of his first seven UFC bouts, in addition to a pair of victories on Dana White's Contender Series. Borralho isn't far from getting title-implicating bouts at 185 pounds. In the meantime, he'll walk away with an extra $50,000 after this back-and-forth affair was awarded Fight of the Night honors.
Will headline UFC Vegas 96
Borralho and fellow middleweight Jared Cannonier will headline UFC Vegas 96 on Aug. 24, according to the UFC's announcement Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Having won six consecutive UFC fights since Dana White's Contender Series, Borralho has been given a headliner for his next bout with the promotion. Cannonier is an immense step up in competition, as he presents the Brazilian a top-five middleweight contender and former championship challenger.
Having won six consecutive UFC fights since Dana White's Contender Series, Borralho has been given a headliner for his next bout with the promotion. Cannonier is an immense step up in competition, as he presents the Brazilian a top-five middleweight contender and former championship challenger.