The UFC middleweight division is poised for significant changes with key matchups involving top contenders like Dricus du Plessis, Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Khamzat Chimaev, Nassourdine Imavov, Brendan Allen, and Caio Borralho, who all aim to secure a shot at the title.
The UFC’s middleweight title picture is set for a shake-up. Key players in the division are vying for a shot at the belt, with Caio Borralho seeing major changes on the horizon.
This Saturday, Dricus du Plessis defends his title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia. Du Plessis remains undefeated inside the octagon and recently claimed the belt from Sean Strickland.
Strickland, ranked No. 2, is currently without a fight. Robert Whittaker (No. 4) will face Khamzat Chimaev (No. 11) in the co-main event of UFC 308 on Oct. 26. Meanwhile, UFC Paris on Sept. 28 features Nassourdine Imavov (No. 5) vs. Brendan Allen (No. 9), and Jared Cannonier (No. 7) battles Borralho in a five-round main event on Aug. 24.
Borralho predicts Adesanya will dethrone du Plessis. “I think Adesanya wins,” he told MMA Fighting.
“It’s not a good matchup for du Plessis,” Borralho explained. “Du Plessis walks forward and explodes with his attacks, while Adesanya moves more laterally.”
Borralho added, “Adesanya won’t do much in the first round but will start to connect later. I think Adesanya wins by third-round knockout or decision.”
“The division is all mixed up,” Borralho noted. He’s unsure if Chimaev would get a title shot if he beats Whittaker.
Borralho believes Brendan Allen is closer to a title shot due to his winning streak at middleweight. Allen fights Imavov in Paris next.
Allen has won seven straight UFC bouts, including finishes of Paul Craig, Andre Muniz, and Bruno Silva before a split decision over Chris Curtis.
Imavov headlines with home field advantage after controversial wins over Cannonier and Roman Dolidze.
“Imavov is tricky,” Borralho said. “He throws elbows and knees out of nowhere.”
Borralho thinks Allen is more solid and has better jiu-jitsu than Imavov. “Brendan Allen does the basics well on the feet and can secure good takedowns,” he said.
Strickland recently won via split decision against Paulo Costa and is waiting for his shot at the gold.
Whittaker stays active by facing Chimaev, while Borralho is curious about their five-round clash.
Chimaev hasn’t fought since beating Kamaru Usman last October, while Whittaker knocked out Ikram Aliskerov this past June.
Borralho thinks it’s a hard fight for Whittaker due to Chimaev’s wrestling prowess. “When you feel the level of wrestling he has, it’s impressive,” he said.
Borralho believes Chimaev will win but acknowledges that if Whittaker survives the early rounds, things might get better for him.
Borralho hopes to boost his name with a win over Cannonier, extending his UFC winning streak to seven.
“It depends on how those fights go,” Borralho said. He believes a knockout or submission against Cannonier could make him the next contender.
“I’ll point at my waist and ask for my belt after I knock out Cannonier,” he declared. But he’s ready for anything the UFC throws his way.