The middleweight division in UFC is experiencing a transition phase between the old guards and young hungry up-and-comers. Top fighters in Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya found themselves losing to the new crop of talents. Leaving stars like Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland to claim the vacant spot. It looks like even the next in line title contenders have found themselves on the hit list of younger fighters.
In a recent sit down interview with BKFC star, Mike Perry, middleweight contender Caio Borralho has made remarks about top ranked fighters. ‘The Natural’ was rumored to face ‘Stylebender’ next, but was mysteriously snubbed for Nassourdine Imavov. No fights on the horizon, the fighting nerds member took aim at his former teammates for a potential match-up.
I trained with Sean; I trained with Khamzat, actually both are my good friends. Sean is a good friend of mine. That’s why I am not trying to push that fight a lot. But I told the UFC, if you want me to fight Sean, I am ready. If you want me to fight Khamzat, I am ready. If you want me to fight Robert, I am ready.
Caio Borralho via Overdogs podcast with Mike Perry
In just one full sweep, Borralho has put the entire upper echelon of the middleweight division on notice. The mixed martial artist since the days of the contender series has put together an impressive 9 fight win streak. In his last outing, the Brazilian star handed former title challenger, Jared Cannonier, his 8th professional loss in a dominant outing.
Few months back, ‘The Natural’ put former champion Adesanya on notice, using him as a stepping stone for world title. Now, with Izzy’s next outing set in stone, the Brazilian has to switch gear to commence his 2025 campaign.
Caio Borralho is looking beyond Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland for 2025
The bloody affair with Cannonier this past August really turned the gears of the UFC machine. Now on a hot streak in the promotion, Borralho is on the cusp to experience his career’s biggest challenge. Ranking among the elites at number 6, the Brazilian isn’t willing to wait around for too long for either Khamzat Chimaev or Sean Strickland.
Caio Borralho won’t wait around for Khamzat Chimaev or Sean Strickland for too long (Image via Instagram)Ever since joining the roster, ‘The Natural’ has kept a pretty solid pace, picking two or three fights each year. Now, with 2025 about to roll in, he intends to retain his pace heading into the new year. With Chimaev locked in next to face the winner of 312, and Strickland vying for a second run at the throne. Borralho will have to adjust for now.
I think in the phase of my career that I am at right now, it’s better for me to keep fighting. To keep inside the Octagon to keep have the same rhythm, same pace and don’t be away of fighting too long. My last fight was in August and in the past three years, I had nine fights, so I still wanna be active.
Caio Borralho via Overdog Podcast with Mike Perry
The Brazilian has already beaten the likes of Paul Craig, Abus Magomedov and so on. This has established him as the next in line contender, hoping for bigger bouts and pay cheques next.
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