Adesanya reveals 'almost fight' with Caio Borralho and opens up about not doing it

Israel adesanya weighing in at the UFC (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

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Israel adesanya e Caio Borralho almost met in the octagon. The Nigerian's next appearance will be in the main fight of UFC Saudi Arabia, against Nassourdine Imavov. O event will be on February 1st. But before the wedding, the Brazilian's name was an option. On YouTube, Adesanya told the behind-the-scenes story of the negotiation.

“The UFC just offered me [Imavov] and I was like, ‘Yeah, sure.’ That was the only name that was offered, but Caio was also looking for a fight. If the UFC offered him, that would have been cool. But he showed up when I posted or announced the fight. I was like, ‘Man, I told you when it’s me versus you it’s going to be for the belt, it’s going to be for the throne,’” Adesanya revealed on his channel.

Borralho is 6th in the middleweight ranking. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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The former middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg) made it clear that a fight with Borralho is not the UFC's priority. The Brazilian told the podcast 'It's Time', from SUPER FIGHTS, enormous interest in confronting Israel. Without resorting to 'trash talking' at no time did he earn Adesanya's respect.

“I respect a guy who just wants to be strictly professional. I call it the Goku spirit. It’s like, ‘Can you fight? How good are you? Okay, let’s bet and see.’ I respect that, but the Imavov fight happened,” he said.