Caio Borralho

Khamzat Chimaev has publicly called out four middleweight contenders for his next UFC appearance, naming Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov, and Caio Borralho. Chimaev lost the UFC middleweight title to Strickland at UFC 328 in May — his first professional defeat — and has been angling for a rematch ever since. He made clear he is willing to face any of the four if the Strickland matchup does not materialise.

Plessis, Strickland, Chimaev+1

Caio Borralho says he has recovered from a rib injury and is targeting a fight with Dricus Du Plessis before the end of 2026, having formally requested a November 14 date from the UFC. He also cited December 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as an alternative, noting he has never lost in Vegas. Borralho says he has been campaigning for the Du Plessis matchup since early in his UFC tenure and is training fully, including sparring, but added he is willing to face any top-10 opponent the UFC puts in front of him.

Plessis

Reinier de Ridder has decided to leave middleweight behind after a gruelling run of six weight cuts in just over a year, which he says damaged his body, hormone levels, and in-camp recovery. The Dutch fighter suffered corner stoppages and listless performances in back-to-back losses to Brendan Allen and Caio Borralho, crediting excessive cutting as a key factor. De Ridder makes his 205-pound debut against Roman Dolidze at UFC Sacramento this Saturday.

Allen, Dolidze, Nickal+2