Caio Borralho traveled to South Africa to challenge Dricus Du Plessis, who responded by inviting him to come to his gym and spar, offering to let Borralho post the footage. A social media exchange followed with Borralho telling Du Plessis to stop acting like a child and sign a contract, while Du Plessis questioned why Borralho thinks he's even in the conversation and challenged him to show up at the gym just 30 minutes away. Meanwhile, several insiders have reported that a fight between Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman is being developed. The post also briefly mentions that Shavkat Rakhmonov concerned fans with rehabilitation footage showing him far from fighting condition, having not competed in over 18 months.
Caio Borralho took his middleweight rivalry with Dricus Du Plessis off social media and into the real world, traveling to South Africa to confront the champion directly — only to be met with an open invitation to spar rather than a signed contract.
Du Plessis, ranked second in the middleweight division and seventh pound-for-pound at 32 years old, holds a 23-3-0 record and carries the kind of output that backs up his bravado. The South African switch-hitter lands 5.18 significant strikes per minute and adds 2.22 takedown attempts per 15 minutes, making him one of the more well-rounded pressers in the division. He responded to Borralho's visit by inviting him to his gym — reportedly just 30 minutes away — and offering to let Borralho post any sparring footage himself.
Borralho, a 33-year-old Brazilian fighting out of The Fighting Nerds, is ranked fourth at middleweight with an 18-2-0 record. The southpaw lands 3.44 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy and has shown a developing grappling game with 1.28 takedown attempts per 15 minutes. He fired back at Du Plessis on social media, telling the champion to stop acting like a child and simply sign a contract.
While that back-and-forth plays out, multiple insiders have reported that a bout between Du Plessis and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is being developed, which would complicate the timeline of any Borralho title shot.
Separately, undefeated welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov drew concern from fans after rehabilitation footage surfaced showing the 31-year-old Kazakh far from fighting shape. Ranked third in the welterweight division with a perfect 19-0-0 record, Rakhmonov has not competed in over 18 months.
Why it matters
- Du Plessis and Borralho are ranked second and fourth respectively, meaning a matchup would have direct title implications at middleweight.
- Reports of a Du Plessis versus Usman booking could push Borralho further down the queue despite his vocal pursuit.
- Rakhmonov's uncertain physical condition raises questions about when the welterweight division's most dangerous unbeaten contender will return.
