Caio Borralho is determined to secure a shot at the UFC middleweight title by defeating Nassourdine Imavov in their upcoming octagon clash.
During a recent interview in São Paulo, “The Fighting Nerd” Caio Borralho engaged in a chess match while expressing his anticipation for Imavov to accept his challenge. Borralho, an avid chess enthusiast with nearly 1,500 online matches played since the pandemic, boasts an impressive seven-fight winning streak in the UFC. His most recent victory was a main event triumph over Jared Cannonier.
“Imavov is the logical next step,” Borralho stated. “If he agrees, of course. Realistically, he doesn`t have much choice. I believe this fight is the most sensible and necessary one. The winner should rightfully advance to contend for the belt. It’s the fight that brings clarity to the division.”
He further emphasized, “This fight makes absolute sense. The UFC is likely to agree, leaving Imavov with limited alternatives. Should Imavov decline, I will remain in contention and await a title shot by the year`s end. However, I anticipate he will accept. He is currently riding high on confidence and believes he can defeat me, which I believe will make for an exciting matchup.”
Imavov`s recent performances include a victory over Cannonier in June 2024, preceded by wins against Brendan Allen and Israel Adesanya, marking a 4-0 run with one no-contest since his last defeat. Borralho confidently predicts a second-round finish against the French-Dagestani fighter.
“I foresee this being a two-round fight,” Borralho commented. “Although, I will request a five-round bout, given that it aligns with the stakes – two potential title contenders facing off. It makes sense to have us fight five rounds prior to a title fight, wouldn’t you agree? This fight, I believe, is my pathway to the belt. It will significantly boost my confidence, proving my ability to defeat the No. 1 contender, a skilled, young fighter on a winning streak. This is precisely the type of challenge I need now, and what excites me most about this potential matchup. Moreover, his No. 1 contender status means beating him directly leads to my dream – the championship belt.”
The UFC has yet to announce the next opponent for Du Plessis`s 185-pound title, but Borralho anticipates no surprises.
“I expect the Dricus Du Plessis versus Khamzat Chimaev fight to be next, which in itself is a chess match,” Borralho remarked. “I`ve consistently bet against Du Plessis in the past and been proven wrong. I`m hesitant to bet against him again, but I lean towards Chimaev winning. Chimaev`s grappling prowess is significant. If Du Plessis doesn`t specifically prepare for that aspect, he could lose early in the fight, perhaps in the first or midway through the second round. However, if Du Plessis withstands the initial pressure, I believe he could gain an advantage later in the fight.”
“Both fighters present unique challenges with distinct styles. Chimaev excels in wrestling and grappling, while Du Plessis is the champion, having defeated numerous top contenders and possesses immense confidence. Holding the belt adds further weight to Du Plessis`s position. I aim to face the victor of that match and hope for a dominant win to eliminate the need for an immediate rematch, paving the way for my title shot.”
