Caio Borralho

Background Caio Borralho was born January 16, 1993 in São Luís, Maranhão. His grandfather was a math teacher and, inspired by him, Borralho started tutoring at 15 years old in math and chemistry.

After graduation, Borralho went to the Universidade Federal do Maranhão (UFMA) to study industrial chemistry. During his university years, he was offered an internship opportunity at Brazilian brewery giant Ambev; he would reject this offer, and would ultimately drop out from university as he became passionate about pursuing a career in MMA sometime in 2014.

Borralho first started training mixed martial arts around the age of eighteen years old, but his very first MMA fight occurred in 2014, when he was around twenty-one years old as an amateur, at Dojô James Adler, located in the metropolitan city of São Luís, Maranhão.

Before MMA, Borralho dabbled in other types of martial arts. His very first journey into the world of martial arts came when he was six years old with grappling arts like judo, with Sensei Emílio Moreira serving as his very first mentor.

After losing to an opponent in a Judo tournament via armlock, Borralho's Sensei Emílio Moreira directed him to train in jiu-jitsu in order to enrich his judo skills. Not long after Borralho also began training in Muay Thai, but he opted out of these martial arts (judo and Muay Thai) in 2014 to pursue a pro career in MMA, as he moved out from his native town of São Luís to the city of São Paulo.

Mixed martial arts career Borralho had an amateur win in 2014 before turning professional later that year. After compiling a record of 8–1–1, he was invited to compete on Dana White's Contender Series.

Dana White’s Contender Series Borralho made his Contender Series debut against Aaron Jeffery on September 28, 2021. He won via unanimous decision, but did not get a contract with the UFC.

He returned a month later, a significant favorite against 8–3 Jesse Murray. The fight was at Light Heavyweight, and Borralho won via first-round TKO, earning a contract with the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Borralho was signed by the UFC and made his promotional debut against Gadzhi Omargadzhiev at UFC on ESPN 34. Borralho won by technical decision after an accidental foul on his opponent.

Borralho next faced prospect Armen Petrosyan at UFC on ESPN 39, winning via unanimous decision.

He next faced Makhmud Muradov at UFC 280, whom he defeated via unanimous decision.

Borralho faced Michał Oleksiejczuk at UFC on ESPN 45, winning via rear-naked choke in the second round.

Borralho was scheduled to face Nursulton Ruziboev on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231. However, Ruziboev withdrew for unknown reasons and was replaced by Abusupiyan Magomedov. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Borralho faced Paul Craig on May 4, 2024, at UFC 301. He won the fight by knockout in the second round. This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.

Borralho faced former UFC Middleweight Championship challenger Jared Cannonier in the main event on August 24, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 62. He won the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned him a Fight of the Night award.

Borralho successfully weighed in on August 15, 2025, as a backup for the middleweight championship bout between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319.

Borralho faced Nassourdine Imavov in the main event on September 6, 2025 at UFC Fight Night 258. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Borralho faced Reinier de Ridder on March 7, 2026 at UFC 326. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Borralho was targeted to face Joe Pyfer on August 15, 2026 at UFC 330 but Borralho's rib injury prevented the fight from taking place.

Grappling career Borralho faced Brendan Allen on February 28, 2025 in a submission match at Karate Combat 53. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) Future Fighting Championships FFC Middleweight Championship (One time) MMA Fighting 2024 Third Team MMA All-Star

Personal life

Caio Borralho is married and has one son. He has been wearing eyeglasses since age of three, as he has been suffering from both myopia and astigmatism. Borralho's initial interest in MMA originated from the martial arts flicks of Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.