Caio Borralho has co-headlined every non-pay-per-view UFC card since joining the promotion and is set to fight Michal Oleksiejczuk at UFC Vegas 72.
Caio Borralho has co-headlined every non-pay-per-view UFC card since joining the promotion in April 2022, and this trend continues as he meets Michal Oleksiejczuk in the penultimate fight at UFC Vegas 72. Unbeaten in six octagon appearances, including two victories on Dana White’s Contender Series, Borralho believes that being near the top of Fight Night cards demonstrates that UFC officials recognize the potential in the 30-year-old middleweight prospect. He said, “Even though I haven’t finished any of my [UFC] fights, which is something the UFC and Dana White like, they know who they are dealing with. They know my potential. They know I talk well, that I’m a Brazilian who speaks English fluently.”
In his UFC career thus far, Borralho said, “I had no easy life in the UFC. My first UFC fight I fought a Dagestani that was 13-0. My second fight was Armen Petrosyan, a world champion in kickboxing who had five knockout wins [in MMA]. And then I fought Muradov, who won 14 of his previous 15. The UFC has tried to test me every time and I’ve won every time. The UFC sees that. They know the talent they have in their hands. I’m working hard, man. I want to get to the belt undefeated and I’ll work really hard for that.” UFC Vegas 72 marks the first match of his new contract with the company, and Borralho is eager to start on the right foot in Las Vegas after victories against Gadzhi Omargadzhiev, Armen Petrosyan, and Makhmud Muradov in his first three UFC bouts.
Borralho recalls meeting Oleksiejczuk previously in Las Vegas and even shared a sauna with him prior to his win over Sam Alvey in August 2022. The encounter was friendly, in contrast to his rivalries with previous Russian opponents. Focused on getting his hand raised at the UFC APEX this Saturday, the Brazilian already has his sights set on his next potential opponent: Kelvin Gastelum. Gastelum recently won a decision over Chris Curtis, but has since expressed interest in cutting down to welterweight.
Borralho believes a fight with Gastelum would be a good challenge and help him send a message to the division. He said, “That’s a good fight because Kelvin has great boxing, good takedown defense and slightly good grappling. I think that would be a great challenge to send a message to the division. I think I’ve been sending good messages, most of the middleweights are afraid of my grappling already. I think it would be a good clash of southpaws. I have a great shot at beating him, but for now I’m focused on Michal. My next step is beating this tough Polish dude, put a beating on him, submission or knockout — or a decision, whatever. What matters the most is adding another green to my Tapology and continue my journey.”