Caio Borralho is prepared to step in as a last-minute replacement for the UFC middleweight title fight at UFC 312, despite not receiving an official offer, and is actively losing weight and training in anticipation of any opportunity, while also expressing confidence that he will become champion this year.
Caio Borralho is all set to jump at any last-minute chance to vie for the UFC middleweight belt on Feb. 8. He’s ready if the opportunity arises.
Dricus du Plessis will defend his title in the main event at UFC 312 in Sydney. Interestingly, there are no backup fighters or other middleweight bouts scheduled for the event. Inspired by Renato Moicano‘s last-minute offer at UFC 311, Borralho plans to stay prepared, even without an official backup role from the UFC.
“The UFC invited me to Australia,” Borralho shared with MMA Fighting. “I’m going as a guest fighter and to corner Bruna [Brasil]. While I’m there, I’ll be ready for anything.” He’s already working on his weight and training hard, believing the right fight will come when it’s meant to.
Borralho was already planning to cut weight before witnessing Moicano’s unexpected opportunity when Arman Tsarukyan withdrew from his bout against Islam Makhachev in L.A. Unlike Borralho, Moicano was already set to fight at UFC 311. Seeing that unfold confirmed to Borralho the importance of staying ready. Currently weighing 216 pounds, he considers the “sacrifice” worth it.
With a 7-0 record under the UFC banner, including wins over Jared Cannonier and Paul Craig, Borralho is keen to check in with his friend Strickland upon arriving in Australia. He also intends to gauge the mood from du Plessis’ camp before deciding whether to continue cutting weight for Friday.
“I wouldn’t forgive myself if there was an opportunity and I wasn’t ready,” Borralho admitted. “I’m doing everything I can.” Even if he doesn’t get the chance now, he knows a fight will come soon with several promising cards on the horizon. This preparation serves as a pre-camp for a potential fight in March or April.
Previously, after defeating Cannonier, Borralho called out former champion Israel Adesanya. But Adesanya is booked for Saturday’s UFC Saudi Arabia card against Nassourdine Imavov. Despite feeling anxious about his future, Borralho remains confident that “this is the year I’ll become champion of this division.”
He expressed some confusion over the lack of fights for him while other top-ranked middleweights are busy. “The UFC hasn’t said anything,” he said, speculating they might be waiting for big fights like Adesanya vs. Imavov and the title match to play out before making decisions about potential rematches or adding him into the mix.
Adesanya once expressed interest in fighting Borralho, viewing his upcoming bout with Imavov as a way to regain confidence against a seemingly easier opponent. Borralho believes Adesanya wouldn’t refuse a fight against him given the chance.
Borralho predicts Adesanya might win by decision or knock out Imavov early since Imavov tends to slow down after round two. He also foresees Strickland reclaiming the middleweight throne shortly after.
Reflecting on Strickland’s previous fight with Dricus, Borralho thought Strickland won but didn’t consider Dricus’ victory a robbery either. He anticipates another close match where adaptability and adjustments will be key but feels Strickland has what it takes to become champion again due to the financial benefits that come with it. Still, he wouldn’t be surprised if Dricus emerged victorious, though he leans toward Strickland taking this one home.