Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho – Fight Preview & Analysis

UFC 301: Pantoja vs. Erceg is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In this matchup on the fight card, Paul “Bearjew” Craig will take on Caio “The Natural” Machado in the Middleweight bout. You can view the complete UFC 301 card.

Craig brings a unique orthodox fighting stance with an 76″ reach. In contrast, Machado, an southpaw fighter, stands with a 75″ reach. These variations in their styles can have a significant impact inside the Octagon.

With a 46% striking accuracy, Craig has shown his precision in landing significant strikes, averaging around 2.42 per minute. On the other hand, Machado boasts a 58% striking accuracy, landing approximately 2.73 significant strikes per minute.

In this post, we will break down Paul Craig vs. Caio Borralho matchup. Let’s take a look at the fighter’s ages, their height, records, reach, fight stats, and more below ⤵

The 36-year-old, Paul Craig is coming in with a 17-7-1 record. Craig will be fighting for the first time since a loss via submission against Brendan Allen at UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Craig in November.

Machado, meanwhile, is coming off a unanimous decision win against Paul Craig on November 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis and holds a 15-1-0 (1 NC) record.

Paul Craig has a orthodox fighting stance with an 76″ reach. The 31-year-old Caio Borralho is an southpaw fighter with a 75″ reach. An orthodox fighter stands with their left side forward and jabs with their left hand. The southpaw fighter is the opposite. Southpaw stands with their right side forward and jabs with their right hand. In most cases, orthodox fighters are right-handed; if you are left-handed, you fight southpaw.

Paul Craig stats

→ Craig’s striking accuracy is 46%.
→ Craig lands 2.42 significant strikes per minute.
→ Craig’s takedown accuracy is 22%.
→ Craig’s takedown average is 1.76 per 15 minutes.
→ Craig’s takedown defense is 37%.

Craig comes in with 46% striking accuracy, typically landing about 2.42 significant strikes every minute. Conversely, Machado fires at 58% accuracy, landing about 2.73 significant strikes per minute. Paul Craig also has a 22% takedown accuracy and, on average, gets around 1.76 takedowns every 15 minutes, compared to Machado’s 2.16 takedowns and 57% takedown accuracy.

Caio Borralho stats

→ Machado’s striking accuracy is 58%.
→ Machado lands 2.73 significant strikes per minute.
→ Machado’s takedown accuracy is 63%.
→ Machado’s takedown average is 2.16 per 15 minutes.
→ Machado’s takedown defense is 57%.

Caio spent, on average, 11:55 minutes in the Octagon, and Paul has an average fight time of 8:00 minutes.

Considering their records, fighting styles, and recent performances, this matchup looks to be an interesting clash of skills and strategies. Who will come out victorious, Paul or Caio? Sound off in the comments.

You can view the scheduled UFC 301 fight card, upcoming UFC schedule 2024, and latest MMA news.