Fighting Nerds leader shows optimism and gives his opinion on Caio Borralho's next opponent in the UFC

Caio Borralho after UFC fight. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/UFC

It is no news that the patience of Caio Borralho with the rest of the middleweight division (up to 83,9 kg) already exhausted. The Brazilian has not fought since August 2024 and, repeatedly, sees his potential rivals refusing fights, while the category continues at full steam. However, his coach, Pablo Sucupira, remains optimistic about the fighter's next step.

In an interview with 'Sexto Round', Sucupira explained that, with other fights already underway in the division, there were few viable options left for Caio Borralho, leaving only the duel against Nassourdine Imavov. According to the leader of Fighting Nerds, the confrontation between Khamzat Shimaev e Dricus Du Plessis delayed the Frenchman's plans and made it impossible for him to continue refusing to face his pupil.

See too

Jon Jones includes Brazilian in his list of the four greatest athletes in the history of MMA

Former UFC fighter reveals unusual story in which Jon Jones was his 'cupid' at a nightclub in Mexico

Mauricio Ruffy reveals focus on UFC elite, but imposes condition to face Charles do Bronx

“What’s happening is that they’re eliminating all the possibilities, forming pairs, pairs, and now only Caio and Imavov are left. Chimaev’s fight against Dricus has been postponed a bit, and Chimaev is a guy who fights once a year, at most. It’s going to end up being unfeasible for Imavov to wait to fight for the belt. So, I believe he’ll accept this fight sooner or later,” said Pablo Sucupira.

even though Caio Borralho Having been out of action for almost a year, Pablo Sucupira said he trusts the UFC's plans and sees sense in a possible fight against Nassourdine Imavov. For the coach, what is missing for his pupil to be considered a big name in the category is precisely to face a better known opponent.

“I have a lot of faith in the UFC. It’s a fight that everyone thinks makes sense… He (Imavov) is number one in the rankings, but he’s already lost twice in the UFC. Caio is number six, but he’s won nine times. What Caio lacks is a popular name… I have a lot of faith in Caio against Imavov, the two promising fighters in the category,” concluded the coach.

Signed through the Contender Series, Caio Borralho debuted in the UFC in April 2022 and, since then, has remained undefeated in the organization with seven victories, being the Domain about Jared Cannonier the most recent.