UFC fighter Caio Borralho has revealed his plans to face Israel Adesanya in a friendly territory.
Borralho is a DWCS alum who defeated Jared Cannonuer in August. The fighter has been soaring through the middleweight division since his debut. Shortly after snagging his win over Cannonier, Borralho called a fight with UFC former champ Israel Adesanya.
The former champ suffered a loss to Dricus Du Plessis and has since gone on an indefinite hiatus. Still, Borralho says the UFC is working on making the Nigerian fighter comeback for an appearance. In an interview with MMA Junkie, Borralho says he has been in talks with UFC about being Adesanya’s return opponent.
“I want to fight Izzy. We are in talks with UFC, but nothing is confirmed yet,” Borralho said. “But that’s the fight we want. I think that’s the fight that makes sense. Adesanya already fought all the guys from (the) top five. Just me and (Nassourdine) Imavov didn’t fight, but Imavov didn’t (have) a good fight last time, so I think they’re thinking about me. Let’s see what the UFC wants…
“A lot of respect for Izzy, you know. I want to fight the best in the world, and I think he’s a legend, one of the best in the world. I want to test myself against him.”
Borralho is excited about the prospect of facing Adesanya despite the fighter holding the championship title. Izzy reigned as champion in the middleweight division for three years before losing to Strickland. Since then, the fighter has suffered a rough time in his career, losing three of his last four bouts.
Despite Adesanya’s current MMA status, Borralho still considers him a worthy opponent.
“He was a great champion. He always has good points,” Borralho said. “I don’t know if he’s vulnerable or anything like that. I don’t have anything with it. If we fought, I’m going with a hundred per cent power. I’m going with a hundred per cent trying to finish him, and I will do it.”