Caio Borralho traveled to South Africa to challenge middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and called him out for a fight. Du Plessis responded by inviting Borralho to spar at his gym and offered to let him post the footage online. The exchange escalated with Borralho telling Du Plessis to "stop acting like a child" and sign a contract. Du Plessis questioned what contract Borralho was referring to and challenged him to come to the gym since it was only 30 minutes away. The post also mentions that Shavkat Rakhmonov concerned fans with rehabilitation video showing him far from fighting condition, as he hasn't fought in over a year and a half. Additionally, insiders reported that a Du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman fight is being developed.
Caio Borralho took his middleweight title pursuit directly to South Africa, confronting champion Dricus Du Plessis on his home turf and demanding a fight in a public exchange that quickly grew heated.
Borralho, ranked fourth in the middleweight division at 33 years old, carries an 18-2 record and has steadily built a case for a title shot. The Brazilian southpaw out of The Fighting Nerds lands 3.44 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy and also threatens on the ground with 1.28 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat at 185 centimetres tall with a 75-inch reach.
Du Plessis, the reigning middleweight champion and seventh-ranked pound-for-pound fighter, holds a 23-3 record and is among the division's most aggressive finishers. The South African switch-hitter is 32 years old and lands an imposing 5.18 significant strikes per minute, backing it up with 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes. Rather than entertain a formal callout, Du Plessis responded by inviting Borralho to spar at his gym and offered to let him post the footage publicly. When Borralho told Du Plessis to stop acting like a child and sign a contract, the champion questioned which contract he meant and pointed out the gym was only 30 minutes away.
Separately, insiders have reported that a fight between Du Plessis and former welterweight and middleweight champion Kamaru Usman is being developed, which may explain the contract confusion surrounding Borralho's pursuit.
Also drawing attention is undefeated welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov, ranked third at 185 centimetres tall with a 77-inch reach. The Kazakh striker carries a perfect 19-0 record and a 60 percent striking accuracy mark, but a recent rehabilitation video has concerned fans given he has not competed in over a year and a half.
Why it matters
- Borralho's fourth-place ranking makes him a legitimate title contender, but a potential Du Plessis vs. Usman booking could push him further back in the queue
- The public sparring invitation shifts the callout dynamic and keeps pressure on Borralho to respond
- Rakhmonov's health status adds uncertainty to the welterweight top-five picture
