Brawny nerd Caio Borralho was on Fight Island for UFC 308 fight week. But he wasn’t just there for the pay-per-view (PPV) main card co-headliner. Borralho was keeping an eye out for the state of the division because he had another champ in mind. He has been gunning for a fight with Israel Adesanya for UFC 312.
Israel Adesanya is a UFC 185-pound bona fide legend who had a historic first reign. Even now, fresh from back-to-back title losses, Adesanya has the thirst to go on. Caio Borralho sees this as an easy ‘Izzy’ opportunity to use as a stepping stone to future title contention.
At Fight Island, ‘The Natural’ told scrum from MMA Junkie that there were talks of him facing Adesanya at UFC 312 (ESPN+ Pay-per-view. ESPN) from Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney. He weighs in on why that did not happen while thinking he might have been an option for a Saudi Arabia fight night as well.
I think the UFC offered Izzy two fights, me or Imavov…And then he suddenly posted a clip, studying Imavov’s tapes. And I was like ‘Come on bro-‘…and I sent a message to Izzy…he was like ‘Bro, we gonna fight next year. We’re gonna dance next year for the belt…I respect that. I think Imavov is a better fight for him. And [because] I think Izzy is the favorite in this fight…
Caio Borralho on Overdogs Podcast with Mike Perry Season 2 (@Overdogspod)
The Kiwi-Nigerian now faces Nassourdine Imavov in the February UFC Fight Night 250 headliner at ANB Arena in Riyadh. Adesanya, 35, ruled the middleweight division for nearly three years and is one of the best. Borralho wants to fight the best and this fight excites him. The fighter himself is not lacking in merit either.
His five-round unanimous decision win against former title challenger Jared Cannonier was bloody and explosive. It earned the ’21 DWCS alum a stout Fight of the Night bonus this past August for it.
However, Imavov is the No. 6 middleweight and an Islamic, a good draw when fighting in Saudi Arabia. Izzy is also a betting fave over Imavov. In line for a major opportunity, Israel Adesanya sees Borralho as an exciting new prospect as well though.
Israel Adesanya likes Dragon ‘Ballsy’ Caio Borralho — and his ‘Goku’ Spirit
The Fighting Nerd team is the breakout saga that nobody imagined would take the spotlight this year. It even made a mark in the 16th Annual World MMA Award. The glass-touting, skill-to-skill standout Caio Borralho is one in those ranks.
Israel Adesanya wants that Caio Borralho fight next year (Source: X/agfight)Borralho’s recent win pushed his overall winning streak to 16 fights, which includes a 7-0 start in the UFC. Not the exclusive ‘8-0’ club that marks the gate to greatness (welterweight Ian Garry achieved it this year before his war with Shavkat Rakhmonov). But it’s a feat nonetheless. Israel Adesanya may be fighting Imavov in a Saudi Arabia Fight Night. But this option excites him.
No, [Imavov]…was the only name that I got offered…But Caio [Borralho], he was looking for a fight as well. And yeah, if they offered him, I would have been like, ‘Yeah, sweet!’ …I respect a guy who just wants to be strictly business…It’s like, I understand that. What do I call it? Goku spirit. It’s like, ‘Oh, you fight? How good are you? I bet. Let’s see.’
Israel Adesanya on his Official Youtube Channel FREESTYLEBENDER (@FreeStylebender)
To get the distinction from anime tick Adesanya is a big thing. The character has the comical trend of wanting to fight literally anybody who turns out strong. That he and Borralho could have such a fight, UFC 312 or not, excites him. The duo might end up meeting in 2025 after all. However, do not expect Adesanya to fight at the pace he did when had a belt to earn or defend. So for now, there’s no telling if this matchup could come true.
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