Caio Borralho rebounded in impressive fashion at UFC 326, earning a clear-cut unanimous decision victory over Reinier de Ridder before calling out former middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis.
All three judges scored the bout 30–27, as Borralho’s sharper striking and solid defensive grappling consistently kept the former ONE Championship two-division champion from mounting meaningful offense.
“I wanted to KO this guy but he’s so tall, awkward,” Borralho said after the fight. “I dominated. That’s what I’m going to keep doing here… Dricus du Plessis, where are you boy?”
Striking Edge Early
Borralho set the tone quickly. During an early exchange, de Ridder rushed forward aggressively and Borralho caught him with a hard right hand that visibly stunned the Dutch fighter. The fight briefly paused after a low knee landed, but once action resumed Borralho continued finding success on the feet.
He mixed his offense effectively:
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Sharp body shots
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Straight right hands
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Overhand left counters
The Brazilian’s striking advantage forced de Ridder into uncomfortable exchanges rather than the grappling-heavy game he typically prefers. Late in the first round, de Ridder secured a takedown, but Borralho quickly scrambled back to his feet. Throughout the fight, the Dutch grappler attempted to impose his usual pressure and clinch work, landing occasional jabs and a knee up the middle. Still, he struggled to generate meaningful damage. Borralho’s defense and balance prevented de Ridder from establishing sustained top control.
In the third round, Borralho turned up the pressure. He cracked de Ridder with another powerful right hand and even scored a takedown of his own, briefly controlling the grappling exchanges. A late right hand caused de Ridder to grab at his eye, underscoring Borralho’s advantage down the stretch. While the bout lacked explosive moments, Borralho’s well-rounded performance and consistent offense sealed the victory.
Targeting a Former Champion
After the win, Borralho set his sights on du Plessis, who has been sidelined since losing the middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev last August. With the division continuing to shift, a matchup between Borralho and du Plessis could serve as a key contender bout.
For Borralho, the message is clear: He believes his grappling is among the best in the division and that his path toward the middleweight title is just beginning.
