Caio Borralho isn’t waiting around for opportunities, he’s forcing the UFC’s hand. The surging middleweight contender has now confirmed that he’s the official backup for the UFC 319 main event between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, stepping into the spotlight with purpose.
Set to take place Aug. 16 at the United Center in Chicago, UFC 319’s original contingency plan had top-ranked Nassourdine Imavov on standby. However, according to Borralho, that’s changed.
“I told you, Imavov is not the guy that makes the rules in this fcking room,” Borralho told Real MMA Today. “Now I’m the backup for the fight against Dricus and Chimaev, because they know I’m the guy they can call to save the fcking show.
“I’ll be there ready, chasing that f*cking belt if the opportunity comes. I’ve been studying all these guys. Dricus, Chimaev, Imavov, I know every one of them. I’m a Fighting Nerd. I do my homework. When the test comes, I get A+.”
Borralho isn’t afraid to call out Imavov’s hesitation. The two are already slated to headline UFC Paris on Sept. 6, but tension boiled over when Imavov clapped back on social media after Borralho’s announcement.
“Backup? 😂 @BorralhoCaio good only to take my leftovers,” Imavov wrote on X. “You’ll always come after. You’ll always stay behind me. It’s your destiny!”
Borralho wasted no time firing back.
“The No. 1 contender? 😂😂😂😂😂😂 ok bro.”
For Borralho, the disrespect is just more fuel. The UFC tried to book him and Imavov during International Fight Week, but Imavov reportedly turned the bout down while Borralho said yes without hesitation.
“They already tried to book me and Imavov and I accepted right away,” Borralho said. “He said no. So how can they trust this motherfcker to be backup? I’m the one. I’m ready. I’ll be in Chicago. I’m going to make weight. If that fight doesn’t happen, I’ll go to Paris three weeks later and fcking kill this guy and put my name on the No. 1 contender spot.”
“If something happens to either Dricus or Chimaev, I’m in. Doesn’t matter who. This is a big fight and they need someone who won’t flinch. They called, I answered.”
For Borralho, this isn’t just about strategy or game plans, it’s about showing up when others won’t.
