Caio Borralho targets former champion to solidify his place among the elite middleweights in the UFC.

Caio Borralho comments on the next step in the middleweight division. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

Rising in the UFC middleweight division, Caio Borralho He spoke again about the possibility of facing the South African. Dricus du Plessis in the organization's next steps. During his participation in the Direto de Vegas podcast, an episode released on Monday (18). The Brazilian highlighted that he sees the former middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg.) as an important test for his career and made it clear that a possible duel would have an impact beyond the result inside the octagon.

Fourth in the ranking Caio Borralho He has been building his place among the top names in the category with consistent performances and a well-defined strategy inside the octagon. One of the leaders of Fighting Nerds, the athlete gained notoriety for combining tactical intelligence, movement, and a high level of ground game. The Brazilian has also established himself as one of the leading names in the middleweight division.

Check out the athletes' track record.

Without hiding his interest in the fight, Borralho stated that facing the second-ranked fighter would be an opportunity for personal and professional growth. “It’s a fight I want, it’s a challenge that’s part of becoming a better fighter and a better person,” the athlete declared during the interview. His statement quickly resonated with MMA fans, especially given the Brazilian's current form in the middleweight division. Caio won. Reinier DeRidder at UFC 326 in March by unanimous decision, three-point score (30-27) in the judges' view.

On the other side, Du Plessis is looking to get back on the winning track after losing the belt to... Khamzat Shimaev At UFC 319, in July of last year, the former champion, known for his aggressive style, strength, and constant pressure in fights, has become one of the most dangerous athletes in the current UFC roster. The possibility of a duel against Caio is noteworthy precisely because of the contrast in styles, since the Brazilian relies on technical control and fight reading, while the former champion tends to accelerate the pace from the first minutes.

Caio's statement on the podcast reinforces not only the Brazilian's confidence, but also his willingness to face the top names in the division. In an increasingly competitive middleweight scene, a fight against Dricus could definitively put the athlete on the path to the title. Furthermore, the fight would have the potential to shake up the middleweight division.

If the fight is confirmed by the UFC, the fight between Caio Borralho e Dricus du Plessis This could represent a turning point in the middleweight division. Besides pitting two athletes against each other at important moments in their careers, the duel would serve as a real barometer to measure the Brazilian's level against the elite of the category.