The UFC middleweight division has a new rising star—Caio Borralho. In a thrilling Fight Night main event, Borralho showcased his talents and walked away with a unanimous decision victory over Jared Cannonier, leaving an indelible mark on the MMA world.
Entering the bout as the UFC's No. 12 ranked middleweight, Borralho faced an experienced adversary in Jared Cannonier. Cannonier, aged 40, has been a formidable fighter in the division, but on this night, it was the younger Borralho who shone brightest. The fight, which went the distance, was a testament to Borralho’s strategic prowess and diverse skill set.
From the onset, Borralho, 31, used his exceptional footwork and a wide array of striking techniques to keep Cannonier at bay. The first round saw Borralho effectively utilizing leg kicks to unbalance Cannonier, who primarily relied on his powerful boxing and stance switches. Despite Cannonier’s attempts to find his rhythm, Borralho’s calculated approach gave him the early advantage.
The second round brought a dramatic moment as Cannonier wobbled Borralho with a combination, a glimpse of the power that Cannonier is known for. However, Borralho remained resilient, regrouping quickly to continue his offensive strategy. The third round saw Borralho deliver a staggering blow, continuing to dominate the striking exchanges.
In the fourth round, Borralho’s relentless pressure began to wear on Cannonier. He landed more strikes, though Cannonier showed his resilience by opening a deep gash under Borralho's right eye. This injury did not deter Borralho, who showcased his durability and fighting spirit by flooring Cannonier with a punch against the fence. Cannonier, ever the warrior, endured the barrage after the knockdown, continuing to press forward.
In the final round, Borralho exhibited his grappling prowess by attempting a Von Flue choke, further demonstrating his versatility as a fighter. Despite the choke attempt, the fight ultimately went to the judges' scorecards. The judges rendered a unanimous decision in favor of Borralho with scores of 49-45, 49-45, and 48-46, highlighting Borralho’s dominance throughout the bout.
With this victory, Borralho's professional record improved to 17-1 with 1 no-contest, extending his unbeaten streak to 17 fights. The win cements his status as a serious contender in the middleweight division, especially considering this was his most significant win to date. On the flip side, Cannonier's record now stands at 17-8, and he faces consecutive losses for the first time since moving to the middleweight division in 2018.
In his post-fight interview with UFC commentator Michael Bisping, Borralho declared, "I'm the new face, even with some scratches. Everyone who sees these glasses should be afraid." This statement encapsulates his confidence and aspirations in the division.
He also used the platform to call out his next potential opponent. "You know who I want next. I've called you out two times already. You've already beat Sean [Strickland]. You've already beat [Israel] Adesanya. You already beat all these guys. So Dricus du Plessis, get your ass over here or in South Africa. I'm coming for you, boy!" Borralho exclaimed, making it clear that he has his sights set on the top fighters in the division.
Borralho's performance against Cannonier signifies more than just a win; it represents the emergence of a new potential title contender. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how Borralho continues to develop and who his next opponent will be in this ever-competitive middleweight division. As Borralho's confidence and skill set continue to grow, his future in the UFC looks exceedingly bright.