Following an impressive unanimous decision victory over Jared Cannonier at UFC Vegas 96, Caio Borralho has firmly established himself as a rising star in the UFC Middleweight division. With Borralho's record now standing at 7-0 in the UFC, the question on everyone's mind is: who will be his next challenge? Here are three intriguing possibilities

1. Israel Adesanya

• Current Status: Former UFC Middleweight Champion; #2 in the UFC middleweight rankings as of January 2024, #15 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.
• Record: 24 wins, 4 losses. Recent losses include a submission defeat to Dricus du Plessis in August 2024 and a unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland in September 2023.
• Why This Matchup Makes Sense: Adesanya’s striking prowess and past dominance in the division make him a formidable opponent. A fight with Adesanya would not only be a high-profile bout but also test Borralho against one of the sport’s most well-rounded and experienced fighters. It would also offer Adesanya a chance to bounce back and regain his position in the title contention.

2. Winner of Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev (UFC 308)

Robert Whittaker

• Current Status: Former UFC Middleweight Champion; #3 in the UFC middleweight rankings.
• Record: 26 wins, 7 losses. Recent victory over Ikram Aliskerov in June 2024.
• Why This Matchup Makes Sense: Whittaker’s status as a former champion and his recent performance against top contenders make him a strong potential opponent for Borralho. A bout against Whittaker could be a significant step up in competition and further solidify Borralho’s standing in the division.

Khamzat Chimaev

• Current Status: Undefeated in MMA; #12 in the UFC middleweight rankings.
• Record: 13 wins, 0 losses. Recent victories include a majority decision over Kamaru Usman in October 2023.
• Why This Matchup Makes Sense: Chimaev’s undefeated record and aggressive style make him an intriguing opponent for Borralho. This fight would offer Borralho a chance to face one of the most promising up-and-comers in the division and test his skills against a fighter known for his relentless pace and grappling prowess.

3. Winner of Nassourdine Imavov vs. Brendan Allen (UFC Paris)

Nassourdine Imavov

• Current Status: #4 in the UFC middleweight rankings.
• Record: 14 wins, 4 losses, 1 no contest. Recent win over Jared Cannonier in June 2024.
• Why This Matchup Makes Sense: Imavov’s solid performance in recent fights and his high ranking in the division make him a compelling opponent for Borralho. A bout against Imavov would be an opportunity for Borralho to further prove himself against a well-rounded and durable opponent.

Brendan Allen

• Current Status: #8 in the UFC middleweight rankings.
• Record: 22 wins, 5 losses. Recent performances have been strong, with notable victories over high-ranked opponents.
• Why This Matchup Makes Sense: Allen’s rising stock and technical skill set present an interesting challenge for Borralho. This fight would allow Borralho to test his abilities against a highly skilled fighter who has been steadily climbing the rankings.