Caio Borralho Declares He Can Threaten Khamzat Chimaev in a UFC Title Fight

In the ever-shifting landscape of the UFC’s middleweight division, contenders rise and fall in the blink of an eye. Today, four names stand at the front of the line, all vying for a chance to challenge the reigning champion, Khamzat Chimaev. Among them, Brazilian powerhouse Caio Borralho is making waves — not just for his upcoming fight against Nassourdine Imavov, but for boldly declaring that he is the man to dethrone Chimaev.

A Contender in the Making

Caio Borralho headlines UFC Fight Night Paris, stepping into enemy territory to face Nassourdine Imavov, the UFC’s No. 1-ranked middleweight. The stakes are enormous. With Reinier de Ridder and Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez also booked in high-profile bouts, the UFC is effectively running a four-man audition for Chimaev’s next challenger.

Borralho, a rising star with an 8-fight UFC win streak, knows the spotlight is firmly on him. But unlike some contenders who hope for a title shot, Borralho has made it clear: he’s not just here to compete. He’s here to beat the champ.

Training With the Beast

Borralho isn’t talking from the sidelines. He spent a month training with Khamzat Chimaev, getting a first-hand look at the wrestling-heavy style that has terrorized the middleweight division. That experience, he believes, gives him an edge that no other contender has.

“I can threaten him with my ground game, especially on the bottom,” Borralho told CBS Sports in the lead-up to his Paris main event. “He might take me down in our fight; I accept that. It’s more about how I can frustrate him. I can deny his steps and show my versatility. When it comes to striking, my distance control and feints will make him shoot at the wrong time.”

Borralho’s confidence isn’t misplaced. His MMA toolkit is well-rounded, combining sharp striking, crafty submissions, and an increasingly respected fight IQ. The Brazilian is known for his ability to control range, adapt mid-fight, and wear down opponents mentally as well as physically — all traits crucial for anyone attempting to solve the puzzle that is Khamzat Chimaev.

A Crucial Test in Paris

But before the title shot, there’s business to take care of. Borralho faces Nassourdine Imavov in Paris, a fight that may determine the UFC’s next big middleweight storyline. Imavov is a dangerous striker with home-crowd advantage, and Borralho knows that winning won’t be enough — he must dominate.

“I need to dominate him,” Borralho emphasized. “Whether it’s a knockout, submission, or decision, it needs to be a good fight. If that happens, I’m the next one. If the fight isn’t boring, I’m the next one. … I plan to finish him in the fourth round.”

The Paris crowd will be hostile, but Borralho is no stranger to pressure. He’s fought on international stages, weathered adversity, and proven capable of staying composed when the lights burn brightest. But now, more than ever, style points matter. The UFC thrives on momentum and narrative — and Borralho is crafting both.

The Competitive Landscape

While Borralho may be the most vocal, he’s not the only fighter on the UFC’s radar. Reinier de Ridder, the decorated grappler from ONE Championship fame, and Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez, the cardio-heavy grinder who’s been tearing through the division, are both pushing hard for their own cases.

Borralho isn’t shy about assessing his rivals.

“I think the guys who can do well are ‘Fluffy’ and me,” Borralho said. “The only thing about ‘Fluffy’ is I don’t know how good his jiu-jitsu is from the bottom. His top position game is dominant. His cardio is very dominant. That’s a big threat to Khamzat. If he gets Khamzat frustrated and tired, he’ll do very good. But I don’t know how [Hernandez] will behave once he’s taken down.”

On the other hand, Borralho questioned whether Imavov and De Ridder could handle Chimaev’s suffocating pressure, hinting at potential vulnerabilities in both fighters’ defensive game plans.

The Champion in Question

All of this conversation orbits around one central figure — Khamzat Chimaev. The undefeated middleweight champion has been nothing short of a wrecking ball since arriving in the UFC. His relentless wrestling, explosive striking, and seemingly endless gas tank have broken the will of elite opponents, including Dricus du Plessis, who Chimaev dismantled with ruthless efficiency.

For years, the division has struggled to produce a stylistic foil for Chimaev. Most strikers get overwhelmed by his takedowns. Most grapplers cannot keep up with his pace. Most game plans fall apart once the fight descends into chaos.

But Borralho insists that he sees something different — not a path to survive Chimaev, but a plan to beat him.

A Matchup Built on Details

Borralho’s proposed strategy is fascinating. While many opponents have focused on avoiding Chimaev’s wrestling at all costs, Borralho seems comfortable accepting the takedown, believing he can neutralize and even frustrate the champion from the bottom.

This represents a potential paradigm shift in how fighters approach Chimaev. Rather than wasting energy defending inevitable takedowns, Borralho’s approach suggests using active guard play, offensive jiu-jitsu, and timing-based striking to disrupt Chimaev’s rhythm. Add in Borralho’s distance management on the feet, and suddenly a fight that seemed one-sided on paper becomes a chess match.

Of course, executing that plan under the pressure of a UFC title fight is another matter entirely. Chimaev’s strength, speed, and ability to chain wrestling attacks together have broken even confident opponents in the past. But Borralho’s tone isn’t reckless — it’s calculated. It’s the sound of a fighter who’s seen the monster up close and still believes he can win.

UFC’s Next Big Storyline

The UFC thrives when it has credible challengers and high-stakes matchups, and the middleweight division may soon deliver one of its most intriguing fights in years. Whether Borralho earns that shot will depend on what happens in Paris, how his peers perform in Vancouver, and how the UFC chooses to capitalize on momentum.

But make no mistake: Borralho’s bold declaration — that he can threaten and potentially defeat Khamzat Chimaev — has already shifted fan conversation. It has turned a talented contender into a headline generator, and in today’s fight game, that matters almost as much as what happens inside the Octagon.

Conclusion: A Brazilian Threat on the Rise

Caio Borralho isn’t just fighting for a win in Paris. He’s fighting for relevance, for a title shot, and for the chance to do what no man has yet accomplished — take down Khamzat Chimaev.

Whether he succeeds will depend on performance, timing, and the unpredictable nature of MMA matchmaking. But one thing is clear: Borralho believes he’s the man for the job, and that belief — mixed with skill, preparation, and opportunity — may be exactly what it takes to shake up the middleweight division.