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Caio Borralho Wants to Test Himself Against Two Former UFC Champions
No. 6 UFC middleweight contender Caio Borralho has his sights set on two former UFC titleholders.
Borralho is scheduled to return to the octagon this weekend to lock horns with Yousri Belgaroui at UFC 334. The Brazilian was originally scheduled to face Joe Pyfer at UFC 330. However, a rib injury forced him to withdraw from the bout, and he also had to undergo surgery ahead of UFC 334.
The Team Fighting Nerds fighter already has his next opponent in mind if he gets past the aforementioned Belgaroui.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 07: Caio Borralho of Brazil enters the Octagon in a middleweight fight during the UFC 326 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 07, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Speaking exclusively to Stake, Stake Ambassador Caio Borralho showed interest in facing former two-time 185-pound UFC titleholder Israel Adesanya.
Adesanya, who is currently on a four-fight losing streak, is set to face Shara Bullet next month in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia. Borralho believes the Nigerian-born Kiwi has just two or three fights left in him, and he would love to face “The Last Stylebender” before the latter decides to hang up his gloves. The 33-year-old said:
“It depends on [Israel Adesanya]. If he wins his next fight and he comes back wanting to get the belt again, then maybe the conversation could come up. But I don’t think so.”
He added:
“I think he has two or three more fights left in him. It’s a guy who has already accomplished everything; he’s already a star, he has a lot of money. I am a big fan of his, and we had a conversation once where we said if we fight it will be for the belt. But right now, I don’t think so. But anything can happen in this business. If they offered it to me, I would say yes. I would call him and tell him it’s an honour and let’s do it!”
Caio Borralho Also Likes the Idea Of Facing Khamzat Chimaev
During the same sit-down, Caio Borralho also showed interest in fighting former training partner and ex-champion Khamzat Chimaev for a belt but believes “Borz” needs a win before fighting for the title again. He said:
“I trained with Khamzat years ago in Sweden. I was his training partner when he was set to fight Nate Diaz. He’s a great guy, and when we see each other, we catch up and wish each other the best. When my son and daughter were born, he sent me a message, and we connected very well.”
“The Natural” added:
“But this is a fight that can happen any time. We are both at the top of the division, and if he wants to come back, then he needs to fight for it. I don’t think he deserves to go straight for the belt again, and he needs to fight a top prospect. Maybe after this fight, or after Ramadan, this fight can happen, and I would say yes right away.”
Although Caio Borralho feels the Chechen-born Emirati doesn’t deserve to “go straight for the belt again,” Chimaev, who lost his title to Sean Strickland at UFC 328, now wants to wait for the winner of a potential Strickland vs. Nassourdine Imavov 2 clash, in the hopes of securing an immediate title shot.
🚨 Khamzat Chimaev wants to sit out and wait for the winner of Sean Strickland vs Nassourdine Imavov
“I should fight the winner [of Strickland vs Imavov] because I’m the #1 contender. I didn’t lose that match. I’m the real champion.”
(via @MMAJunkie) pic.twitter.com/r4E9XHoSK4
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 6, 2026