UFC 301 will have a global flavor on May 4 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It’ll showcase the country’s best talents and MMA fighters, highlighting how Brazil became an MMA hotbed. Whether it’s Vitor Petrino or Alexandre Pantoja, it should be a stacked card. However, one fighter could steal the show for the home crowd: Caio Borralho.
The Brazilian MMA fighter (15-1, 1 NC) is on a roll, winning his first seven UFC fights. That includes his last victory against Abus Magomedov at UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis (unanimous decision). “The Natural” is currently ranked #14 in the UFC middleweight rankings.
What Makes Caio Borralho Special?
One thing that makes the middleweight fighter special is his athleticism. He’s extremely agile and swift in the ring, making him a tough match-up. Whether it’s flying knees or quick punches, Caio Borralho is tough to defend.
Take the Magomedov fight as an example. Borralho kept the German fighter off-balance with his agility. While Magomedov is a powerful striker, “The Natural” was too fast for him in the octagon. As a result, he got the unanimous decision victory.
That also goes for his takedowns, where he can suddenly bring down opponents. The Brazilian star can instantly bring down his foes, using his speed to overwhelm them. That leads to ground-and-pound opportunities, making him a threat.
Overall, Borralho is a fast fighter who can suddenly take over the match. When he spots an opening, he’ll immediately take that opportunity. With Paul Craig coming up at UFC 301, it’s a chance to show the home crowd his biggest strength.
What’s His Ceiling?
Borralho can become a middleweight contender at his current pace. His speed and striking ability make him a tough offensive opponent. That’s especially true if power-reliant opponents try to knock him down with blows.
Whether he can become the UFC Middleweight Champion remains to be seen. However, Caio Borralho looks like he can take over the division. With his upcoming fight against Paul Craig, it’s a nice opportunity to continue that ascent.
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Jacob Walters is a boxing/MMA writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @IceColdWJacob
