Caio Vinícius Silva Borralho (born January 16, 1993) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of October 28, 2024, he is #6 in the UFC middleweight rankings.[4]

Caio Borralho
Borralho in 2019
BornCaio Vinícius Silva Borralho[1]
(1993-01-16) January 16, 1993 (age 31)
São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
Other namesThe Natural
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Middleweight
Welterweight
Reach75 in (191 cm)[2]
Fighting out ofSão Paulo, Brazil
TeamFighting Nerds
TrainerPablo Sucupira (Standup)
Wagner Mota (BJJ)
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3]
Black belt in Muay Thai[3]
Brown belt in Judo[3]
Years active2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins17
By knockout5
By submission4
By decision8
Losses1
By decision1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Caio Borralho was born January 16, 1993 in São Luís, Maranhão. His grandfather was a math teacher, and inspired by him, Borralho started tutoring at 15 years old in math and chemistry.[5][6]

After graduation, Borralho went to the Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA) to study industrial chemistry. During his university years, he was offered an internship opportunity at Brazilian brewery giant Ambev; he would reject this offer, and would ultimately drop out from university as he became passionate about pursuing a career in MMA sometime in 2014.[7]

Borralho first started training mixed martial arts around the age of eighteen years old, but his very first MMA fight occurred in 2014, when he was around twenty-one years old as an amateur, at Dojô James Adler, located in the metropolitan city of São Luís, Maranhão.[8][9]

Before MMA, Borralho dabbled in other types of martial arts. His very first journey into the world of martial arts came when he was six years old with grappling arts like judo, with Sensei Emílio Moreira serving as his very first mentor.[8] In judo he has won multiple championships at state (Maranhão) and national levels.[10][11]

After losing to an opponent in a Judo tournament via armlock, Borralho's Sensei Emílio Moreira directed him to train in jiu-jitsu in order to enrich his judo skills. Not long after Borralho also began training in Muay Thai, but he opted out of these martial arts (judo and Muay Thai) in 2014 to pursue a pro career in MMA, as he moved out from his native town of São Luís to the city of São Paulo.[5][10] Eventually, he started his own MMA team ''Fighting Nerds'' with his coach Pablo Sucupira.[12]

Mixed martial arts career

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Borralho had an amateur win in 2014 before turning professional later that year.[13] After compiling a record of 8–1–1, he was invited to competed on Dana White's Contender Series.

Dana White’s Contender Series

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Borralho made his Contender Series debut against Aaron Jeffery on September 28, 2021. He won via unanimous decision, but didn't get a contract with the UFC[14][15][16]

He returned a month later, a significant favorite against 8–3 Jesse Murray.[17] The fight was at Light Heavyweight, and Borralho won via first-round TKO, earning a contract with the UFC.[18]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Borralho was signed by the UFC and made his promotional debut against Gadzhi Omargadzhiev at UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2.[19] Borralho won by technical decision after an accidental foul on his opponent.[20][21]

Borralho next faced prospect Armen Petrosyan at UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Fiziev, winning via unanimous decision.[22][23]

He next faced Makhmud Muradov at UFC 280, whom he defeated via unanimous decision.[24][25]

Borralho faced Michał Oleksiejczuk at UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón, winning via rear-naked choke in the second round.[26][27]

Borralho was scheduled to face Nursulton Ruziboev on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis.[28] However, Ruziboev withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Abus Magomedov.[29] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[30]

Borralho faced Paul Craig on May 4, 2024, at UFC 301.[31] He won the fight by knockout in the second round.[32] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[33]

Borralho faced former UFC Middleweight Championship challenger Jared Cannonier in the main event on August 24, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 62.[34] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[35] This fight earned him a Fight of the Night award.[36]

Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts

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Personal life

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Caio Borralho is married and has one son.[40] He has been wearing eyeglasses since age of three, as he has been suffering from both myopia and astigmatism.[41] Borralho initial interest in MMA originated from the martial arts flicks of Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.[41]

He currently resides in São Paulo, and completed his physical education degree at a university. Borralho also teaches martial arts classes at various gyms in the city of São Paulo.[8]

He is a fan of superhero films, video games and anime; he also plays chess, which is why Borralho got the nickname "Rei dos Nerds" (King of Nerds).[5][41]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
19 matches 17 wins 1 loss
By knockout 5 0
By submission 4 0
By decision 8 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 17–1 (1) Jared Cannonier Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Borralho August 24, 2024 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 16–1 (1) Paul Craig KO (punches) UFC 301 May 4, 2024 2 2:10 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Performance of the Night.
Win 15–1 (1) Abus Magomedov Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis November 4, 2023 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 14–1 (1) Michał Oleksiejczuk Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón April 29, 2023 2 2:49 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 13–1 (1) Makhmud Muradov Decision (unanimous) UFC 280 October 22, 2022 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 12–1 (1) Armen Petrosyan Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Fiziev July 9, 2022 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–1 (1) Gadzhi Omargadzhiev Technical Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2 April 16, 2022 3 3:56 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Middleweight. Borralho was deducted one point in round 3 due to an accidental illegal knee which rendered Omargadzhiev unable to continue.
Win 10–1 (1) Jesse Murray TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 44 October 19, 2021 1 1:41 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Light Heavyweight debut.
Win 9–1 (1) Aaron Jeffery Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 41 September 28, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 8–1 (1) Wildemar Santos Decision (unanimous) Future FC 12 October 16, 2020 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil Won the vacant FFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 7–1 (1) Ykaro Queiroz Decision (unanimous) Future FC 10 December 6, 2019 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 6–1 (1) Otávio Sagás Submission (guillotine choke) Future FC 8 August 23, 2019 1 3:44 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 5–1 (1) Luiz Carlos Alves Submission (anaconda choke) Mega Fight Championship 2 June 22, 2019 1 2:03 Osasco, Brazil
Win 4–1 (1) Douglas Nascimento TKO (punches) Batalha MMA 14 September 8, 2018 1 1:13 São Paulo, Brazil Middleweight debut.
NC 3–1 (1) Raylander Marques No Contest Vikings Fight Club 2 June 16, 2018 1 5:00 Campinas, Brazil
Win 3–1 Luiz Carlos Alves TKO (punches) Arena Combat: Fight Night 2 September 16, 2017 1 0:20 São Sebastião, Brazil
Win 2–1 Edson Junior Submission (rear-naked choke) Thunder Fight 9 September 30, 2016 3 3:05 São Paulo, Brazil
Loss 1–1 João Carvalho Decision (unanimous) Bradar Fight 3 July 18, 2015 3 5:00 São Luís, Brazil
Win 1–0 Cleiton Rafael KO (punch) Evocke Fight: Gods of War December 13, 2014 1 1:48 São Paulo, Brazil Welterweight debut.

[42]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pinto, Neres (2020-08-17). "Conheça o maranhense a um passo do UFC". O Imparcial (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  2. ^ a b "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com.
  3. ^ a b c "Caio Borralho | UFC". UFC.com. 7 September 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  4. ^ "UFC Rankings | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  5. ^ a b c "'Rei dos nerds' rejeitou emprego em cervejaria e desistiu de faculdade de química em busca de sonho de ser campeão do UFC". ESPN.com (in Portuguese). 2022-10-17. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  6. ^ "UFC: Estreante foi professor de química e hoje ensina nerds a darem porrada". www.uol.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  7. ^ "Referência no MMA, Brasil vai em busca de novos talentos | Flashscore.com.br". www.flashscore.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  8. ^ a b c Pinto, Neres (2020-08-17). "Conheça o maranhense a um passo do UFC". O Imparcial (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  9. ^ Sherdog.com. "Nerding Out with Caio Borralho". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  10. ^ a b "Maranhense disputa cinturão no maior evento de MMA do Brasil". Universidade FM 106,9 MHz (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2020-07-24. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  11. ^ Bitter, Shawn (2019-08-20). "Future FC 8's Caio Borralho: "I'm Ready to Put on a Show"". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  12. ^ Sherdog.com. "Nerding Out with Caio Borralho". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  13. ^ "Caio Borralho ("The Natural") | MMA Fighter Page".
  14. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (2021-09-28). "LIVE! UFC 'Contender Series' Results, Streaming Play-By-Play Updates". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  15. ^ Sharma, Puneet (2023-05-02). "Who is Caio Borralho? Exploring the rise in prominence of UFC's latest promising fighter". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  16. ^ Hester, Bryson (2021-10-18). "Redemption: Second Chances on Dana White's Contender Series — Caio Borralho". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  17. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2021-10-03). "Caio Borralho gets second Contender Series fight in 21 days, meets Jesse Murray". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  18. ^ Duffy, Ben. "Dana White's Contender Series 2021 Week 8 Play-by-Play & Results". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  19. ^ "UFC Fight Night: Luque vs. Muhammad 2 | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  20. ^ Martin, Damon (2022-04-16). "UFC Vegas 51 results: Caio Borralho wins technical decision after Gadzhi Omargadzhiev unable to continue following illegal strike". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  21. ^ "Caio Borralho estreia bem em Las Vegas | Sampaio empata; Moto e Juventude perdem nas séries B e D". Universidade FM 106,9 MHz (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2022-04-18. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  22. ^ "UFC Fight Night: Dos Anjos vs. Fiziev | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  23. ^ Law, Eddie (2022-07-09). "UFC Vegas 58: Caio Borralho Takes Decision Over Petrosyan In Grappling Heavy Fight". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  24. ^ "UFC 280: Oliveira vs. Makhachev | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  25. ^ Dewar, Val (2022-10-22). "UFC 280: Caio Borralho Grinds Out UD Over Muradov". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  26. ^ "UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Simón | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  27. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2023-04-29). "UFC Vegas 72 video: Caio Borralho submits Michal Oleksiejczuk for first UFC finish". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  28. ^ Harvey Leonard (2023-07-23). "UFC Matchmaking Bulletin (7/17-7/23): Caio Borralho & 'Blood Diamond' have returns announced, six cancellations". mmanews.com. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  29. ^ Staff (2023-10-08). "Abus Magomedov steps in to face Caio Borralho at UFC Sao Paulo". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  30. ^ Dewar, Val (2023-11-04). "UFC Sao Paulo: Caio Borralho Cruises to Decision Win Over Abus Magomedov". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  31. ^ Simon, Tyriece (2024-01-22). "UFC Schedule: Updated List Of Upcoming Events & Fight Cards". MMA News | UFC News, Results & Interviews. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  32. ^ Dewar, Val (2024-05-05). "UFC 301: Caio Borralho Knocks Out Paul Craig in Biggest Career Win". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  33. ^ a b Dan Hiergesell (2024-05-05). "Bonuses! Back-flipping Michel Pereira banks $50K for quick submission - UFC 301". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  34. ^ Nolan King (2024-08-07). "UFC announces Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho main event on short notice". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  35. ^ Jay Anderson (2024-08-25). "Caio Borralho Rocks, But Can't Finish Jared Cannonier in Thrilling UFC Vegas 96 Main Event". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  36. ^ a b Chris Taylor (2024-08-24). "UFC Vegas 96 Bonus Report: Michael Morales one of four fighters to take home $50k". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  37. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-04-29). "UFC Vegas 72: Song Yadong, Caio Borralho Among Four Performance Bonus Winners". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  38. ^ "UFC Records - Middleweight". statleaders.ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  39. ^ "Caio Borralho se torna campeão do Future de MMA". O Imparcial (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2020-10-19. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  40. ^ "Caio Borralho já tem novos planos para o UFC". O Imparcial (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2023-05-03. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  41. ^ a b c Stein, Christian. "Nerding Out with Caio Borralho". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-09-27.
  42. ^ "Caio Borralho". Sherdog.
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