Life significantly improved for Caio Borralho once he became a part of the Ultimate Fighting Championship over a year and a half ago. The UFC fighter is keen on maintaining his progress as he moves forward in his career. At the age of 30, Borralho, representing Fighting Nerds, is set to battle against Abusupiyan Magomedov during UFC Fight Night 231, a middleweight showcase happening on Nov. 4 at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Incredibly, Borralho enters this match with a string of 11 consecutive victories under his belt, four of which have happened inside the Octagon.
Borralho anticipated this winning streak. He treats each fight as the most crucial one in his life, considering the decade-long hard work he has invested in refining his UFC skills and aspiring to become a world champion. He firmly believes that his journey towards joining the UFC, which involved not skipping any step or padding his record, has strengthened him mentally and prepared him for any challenge the UFC might throw his way.
In his most recent appearance, Borralho demonstrated his all-round skills with a submission victory, his first since 2019 – he defeated Michal Oleksiejczuk with a rear-naked choke in the second round of their match at UFC on ESPN 45 on April 29. He credited his team for making necessary adjustments during the training camp and working intensively on his stronger positions. This hard work resulted in a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus, a well-timed financial reward for the young Brazilian who has a growing family. Borralho shared part of the money with his coaches and put a down payment on a home in Brazil.
Now, Borralho returns to face the experienced Magomedov, who was brought in as a short-notice replacement for Nursulton Ruziboev. Borralho hopes to tire Magomedov out by keeping the fight at a medium or short distance. Despite this being his first match in his homeland since he joined the UFC, Borralho realizes that fan support alone cannot determine the outcome. He believes that a clear winning strategy, thorough preparation, and making the right decisions during the fight matter most. Nevertheless, he is happy to represent Brazil and considers it an honor to perform in front of his people. Looking ahead, Borralho plans to stay fit as he never knows when the next opportunity may arise from the UFC. He aims to win against Magomedov and to engage in two or three fights the next year. His ultimate goal is to finish this year within the rankings and the next year within the Top 5.