3 possible next opponents for Caio Borralho after UFC Vegas 96 win

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours navigating through virtual realms and battling formidable foes, I can confidently say that Caio Borralho’s performance at UFC Vegas 96 was nothing short of epic. The guy is on a roll, and his unanimous decision win over Jared Cannonier has catapulted him into the upper echelons of the middleweight division. So, what’s next for this rising star?

At UFC Vegas 96, the organization’s future looked particularly promising with two freshly crowned “The Ultimate Fighter” champions and an impressive showcase from No. 12 ranked Caio Borralho. Amongst all the remarkable performances, Borralho’s stood out as it appeared to significantly boost his ranking within the division. With his unanimous decision victory over Jared Cannonier, Borralho might have propelled himself into the top five of the middleweight division. Given this was his first ranked opponent in the UFC, it’s worth considering what lies ahead for Borralho after such a significant triumph in his seventh promotional bout.

1. Marvin Vettori

Marvin Vettori could potentially face Borralho next. Following a tough defeat against Cannonier in June 2023, Vettori has been out of action for more than a year due to fight cancellations and injuries. Despite losing to the opponent Borralho recently defeated, this matchup offers an opening in the middleweight division where several top-ranked fighters are already scheduled to compete soon. This arrangement allows both Borralho time to recuperate from his battle with Cannonier, and Vettori time to recover from any lingering injuries he might be managing.

Vettori is more than just an option due to his accessibility and also because he carries a significant reputation. Even though it has been two years since his unsuccessful title challenge against Israel Adesanya, who was previously the champion, Vettori’s name has been consistently associated with the top tier of the division. Interestingly, Vettori has never lost consecutive fights, making this bout an ideal chance for him to regain a spot in title contention if he defeats Cannonier, who convincingly beat one of Vettori’s most challenging opponents to date.

This name value also provides Borralho the opportunity to further align himself with names like Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesnaya as one of the few fighters to defeat Cannonier and Vettori. It seems clear that the path to the middleweight title is paved with some of the highest level competition in almost any division. Adding another former title challengers to a resume always provides a bit of a boost to a fighters claim at competing for middleweight gold.

2. Winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev

As a gamer putting myself in Borralho’s shoes, it’s obvious that I could be the underdog in the epic showdown between Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker. The victor of this bout would undeniably have a strong case for being next in line for a title challenge. Given that Sean Strickland is set to battle Dricus Du Plessis for the belt, I understand that I’ll probably need another big win under my belt to even think about joining the championship conversation. There’s no denying that Chimaev and Whittaker are as high-profile as it gets in this game.

Fighting either the previous titleholder Whittaker or the popular Chimaev in the middleweight division presents an exceptional opportunity for Borralho, as competing against such renowned opponents significantly boosts his standing compared to other top ten bouts. Given that one of these contenders has recently suffered a loss, there will be doubts about their continued relevance in title discussions. Regardless of who Borralho faces, he could either propel himself back into the title race or hinder their aspirations. Moreover, another victory would quiet critics who question whether his win over Cannonier, at the time, was deserving enough for a title shot.

In this proposed matchups against Whittaker and Chimaev, Borralho demonstrates an impressive fit. Regardless of who emerges victorious from their fight, Borralho would gain significant momentum for his upcoming bout as he maintains an unbeaten streak of seven fights within the UFC. His grappling skills offer a formidable challenge to Chimaev, a test he hasn’t encountered much in his career so far, regardless of whether he competes at 170 or 185 pounds. While both opponents would pose challenges for Borralho on the ground, this contest represents a significant chance for him to display his skills against either fighter. Whittaker boasts an admirable 82% defense against takedowns, while Chimaev has yet to be taken down in his UFC career. A win over either of these fighters could solidify Borralho as a credible threat to the top grapplers in the division.

3. Dricus Du Plessis

For his upcoming adversary, the potential contest is against current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis following Borralho’s win at UFC Vegas 96. Taking advantage of his time on the microphone, Borralho challenged the titleholder. Some spectators might argue that title discussions are premature, but several aspects make this match less implausible. Recently, the UFC has been thinking beyond conventional methods when scheduling title contenders. For instance, #5 ranked Marlon Vera faced a title challenge against Sean O’Malley this year, despite other options seemingly having stronger claims for the bantamweight championship. Similarly, the matchup between Alex Pereira and #8 ranked Khalil Rountree Jr., set for October, demonstrates that rankings aren’t always the primary determinant in arranging a title fight.

The timing might significantly influence when Du Plessis and Borralho secure their next bouts. Given that Du Plessis fought at UFC 305 a week before Borralho’s match with Cannonier, it seems probable they will both reappear in the Octagon around the same period. Although Du Plessis is scheduled to face Strickland in his upcoming title defense, it’s essential to remember that plans don’t always go as intended. The UFC often encounters setbacks like injuries and illness when arranging a main event for a pay-per-view show. If either Du Plessis or the former champion were to withdraw from their rematch due to an injury or illness, having his own fight scheduled close to their match could potentially expedite Borralho’s path to a title shot.

2024-08-25 23:13