Caio Borralho Bio
Caio Vinícius Silva Borralho (born January 16, 1993) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of September 30, 2025, he is ranked #7 in the UFC middleweight rankings. A well-rounded fighter with a background in grappling and striking, Borralho is widely recognized for founding the Fighting Nerds team and earning the nickname “The Natural.” With a professional record of 17 wins and 2 losses, he has emerged as one of the top contenders in his division.
Early Life and Background
Caio Borralho was born on January 16, 1993, in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. His grandfather worked as a math teacher, and that family influence led Borralho to begin tutoring in math and chemistry at the age of 15. After finishing high school, he enrolled at the Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA) to study industrial chemistry. During his university years, he was offered an internship at the Brazilian brewery Ambev, which he turned down.
Borralho’s first exposure to martial arts came at the age of six, when he began training in judo under his first mentor, Sensei Emílio Moreira. He went on to win multiple state and national judo championships across Maranhão and Brazil. After losing a judo match by armlock, his coach encouraged him to cross-train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to round out his grappling game, and he soon added Muay Thai to his skill set as well.
As his passion for combat sports deepened, Borralho decided to leave his studies behind to pursue mixed martial arts full-time. In 2014, around the age of 21, he moved from his hometown of São Luís to São Paulo to chase a professional MMA career. That same year, he fought his first amateur bout at Dojô James Adler in the São Luís metropolitan area, marking the official start of his combat sports journey.
Path to MMA
After committing to a professional career in mixed martial arts, Caio Borralho rapidly built a reputation as a versatile and intelligent fighter. He compiled an amateur win in 2014 before transitioning to the professional ranks later that same year. With a strong foundation in judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai, he began putting together a series of victories in regional promotions across Brazil.
Over the next several years, Borralho fought his way up the domestic circuit, eventually reaching an 8–1–1 record. That mark was enough to earn him an invitation to Dana White’s Contender Series, the UFC’s well-known proving ground for rising talent. He first appeared on the show against Aaron Jeffery on September 28, 2021, and won by unanimous decision, though the performance did not yet earn him a UFC contract.
Just one month later, Borralho returned to the Contender Series as a heavy favorite against Jesse Murray. Fighting at Light Heavyweight, he delivered a first-round TKO that secured him a UFC contract. Shortly after moving to São Paulo, he co-founded the Fighting Nerds team with his coach Pablo Sucupira, a gym that has since become closely associated with his career and development as a fighter.
Caio Borralho Career
Early Career (2014–2021)
Caio Borralho turned professional in 2014, competing primarily on Brazil’s regional MMA circuit. Drawing on his judo base, his growing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expertise, and his Muay Thai striking, he built a reputation as a well-rounded and dangerous prospect. He strung together consistent wins across multiple regional shows, eventually compiling a record of 8–1–1 that caught the attention of UFC matchmakers.
His amateur success included a win in 2014, and he followed that with a steady run of professional bouts that showcased his finishing ability and decision-winning composure. By 2021, his record had improved enough to earn him a spot on Dana White’s Contender Series, the official pipeline to the UFC. His coach Pablo Sucupira remained a constant presence throughout these developmental years, shaping Borralho’s evolving fighting style.
Dana White’s Contender Series Breakthrough (2021)
Borralho’s path to the UFC came through two appearances on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021. He first fought Aaron Jeffery on September 28, 2021, earning a unanimous decision victory. Although the performance was solid, it was not enough to earn him a contract on the spot, so he returned to the series a month later for another chance.
In his second appearance, Borralho faced 8–3 Jesse Murray at Light Heavyweight. He entered as a significant favorite and delivered a dominant first-round TKO, a finish that immediately earned him a UFC contract. That result officially launched his career on the sport’s biggest stage and set the tone for his rise through the middleweight ranks.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Era (2022–Present)
Borralho made his UFC debut against Gadzhi Omargadzhiev at UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2, winning by technical decision after an accidental foul on his opponent. He followed that with a unanimous decision win over Armen Petrosyan at UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Fiziev, and then another unanimous decision victory over Makhmud Muradov at UFC 280, establishing himself as a quietly effective middleweight.
His finishing skills came next when he submitted Michał Oleksiejczuk via rear-naked choke in the second round at UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón. After a unanimous decision win over Abusupiyan Magomedov at UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis, Borralho faced Paul Craig at UFC 301, knocking him out in the second round to earn a Performance of the Night award.
Borralho’s biggest opportunity arrived on August 24, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 62, when he headlined against former UFC Middleweight Championship challenger Jared Cannonier. He won by unanimous decision and earned a Fight of the Night award, cementing his place among the division’s elite. On August 15, 2025, he successfully weighed in as a backup for the middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, before suffering his first UFC loss to Nassourdine Imavov by unanimous decision in the main event of UFC Fight Night 258 on September 6, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Caio Borralho is known for a cerebral, well-rounded fighting style that blends his judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grappling with sharp Muay Thai striking. Holding a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a black belt in Muay Thai, alongside a brown belt in judo, he is comfortable everywhere the fight goes. His strategic approach, calm demeanor in the cage, and well-timed finishes have made him a difficult matchup for top-tier middleweights, with coach Pablo Sucupira providing steady tactical guidance throughout his UFC tenure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Borralho’s signature moments is his first-round TKO of Jesse Murray on Dana White’s Contender Series, the result that earned him a UFC contract. His knockout of Paul Craig at UFC 301, which earned a Performance of the Night award, and his main-event decision win over Jared Cannonier at UFC on ESPN 62, which earned a Fight of the Night award, are the most defining results of his UFC run. In 2025, he also stepped in as a backup for the middleweight title fight at UFC 319, a sign of his standing within the division.
Caio Borralho Career Wins
Across his professional career, Caio Borralho has recorded 17 wins against only 2 losses. His finishes include 5 by knockout, 4 by submission, and 2 by decision, with one additional disqualification result. He has consistently performed against ranked opposition, earning multiple post-fight bonuses and headlining major UFC events in 2024 and 2025.
UFC Highlights
Borralho has put together a strong run since joining the UFC in 2022, with notable wins over Gadzhi Omargadzhiev, Armen Petrosyan, Makhmud Muradov, Michał Oleksiejczuk, Abusupiyan Magomedov, Paul Craig, and Jared Cannonier. His knockout of Paul Craig at UFC 301 earned a Performance of the Night award, while his decision win over Cannonier at UFC on ESPN 62 earned a Fight of the Night award.
Other Wins & Performances
Outside the UFC, Borralho has earned a unanimous decision win over Aaron Jeffery and a first-round TKO over Jesse Murray on Dana White’s Contender Series, with the latter result securing his UFC contract. He also competed in a Karate Combat 53 grappling match on February 28, 2025, defeating Brendan Allen by unanimous decision.
Caio Borralho Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Caio Borralho comes from a family with a strong academic background, with his grandfather working as a math teacher who inspired his early love of tutoring and learning. While he is not part of a traditional martial arts family, he credits his first judo coach, Sensei Emílio Moreira, with launching his journey in combat sports and shaping the disciplined, technical fighter he became.
Personal Life
Caio Borralho is married and has one son. He currently resides in São Paulo, Brazil, where he teaches martial arts classes at several local gyms and completed a physical education degree at a university. A lifelong fan of superhero films, video games, and anime, he also plays chess, a hobby that has earned him the nickname “Rei dos Nerds,” or “King of Nerds.” He has worn eyeglasses since the age of three due to myopia and astigmatism, and his interest in combat sports was first sparked by martial arts films starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jackie Chan, and Bruce Lee.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a milestone year for Caio Borralho, beginning with a unanimous decision win over Brendan Allen in a Karate Combat 53 grappling match on February 28, 2025. On August 15, 2025, he successfully weighed in as a backup for the middleweight championship bout between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319, further cementing his reputation as a top contender ready to step in at a moment’s notice.
His momentum was tested on September 6, 2025, when he faced Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Fight Night 258. Borralho lost the fight by unanimous decision, snapping his UFC winning streak and marking only the second loss of his professional career. As of September 30, 2025, he is ranked #7 in the UFC middleweight division, keeping him firmly in the title picture.
Looking ahead, Borralho remains a top contender at middleweight with his team, Fighting Nerds, and longtime coach Pablo Sucupira continuing to guide his development. With multiple post-fight bonuses already on his resume and a grappling win in 2025, he is well-positioned to chase another main-event opportunity and continue climbing toward a UFC title shot.