UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and contender Caio Borralho engaged in a social media exchange after Borralho traveled to South Africa to challenge the champion. Du Plessis invited Borralho to spar at his gym and offered to let him post the footage, but Borralho responded by telling the champion to sign a contract for an official fight. Du Plessis questioned why Borralho thought he was in title contention and challenged him to show up at the gym, which was 30 minutes away. Amid this back-and-forth, multiple insiders reported that a fight between Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman is currently being developed.
UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and ranked contender Caio Borralho found themselves in a public back-and-forth on social media after Borralho made the trip to South Africa to press his case for a title shot.
Du Plessis, who carries a 23-3 record and holds the middleweight belt, extended an unusual invitation to Borralho — come spar at his gym and he would even allow the footage to be shared publicly. The 32-year-old South African, ranked second in the division and seventh pound-for-pound, also questioned whether Borralho had earned a spot in title contention. Du Plessis noted his gym was just 30 minutes away, putting the challenge squarely back on the Brazilian. The champion averages 5.18 significant strikes per minute and adds 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes to his arsenal, making him a well-rounded threat.
Borralho, ranked fourth at middleweight with an 18-2 record, was not interested in sparring sessions. The 33-year-old Brazilian and member of The Fighting Nerds pushed back, telling Du Plessis to sign a contract for a real fight rather than an informal gym session. Borralho lands 3.44 significant strikes per minute at a 56 percent accuracy rate, suggesting he chooses his shots carefully.
While that exchange played out, the middleweight title picture may be shifting elsewhere. Multiple insiders reported that Du Plessis is being lined up for a fight against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. Usman, now 39 and ranked eighth at welterweight with a 21-4 record, would be stepping up to middleweight for what would be a significant crossroads bout. Usman averages 2.82 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 52 percent of his significant strikes.
Why it matters
- Du Plessis versus Usman would pull the champion away from Borralho's title push, despite Borralho sitting fourth in the division rankings
- A Usman matchup represents a cross-divisional move, adding intrigue but complicating the middleweight title picture
- Borralho's public challenge and willingness to travel to South Africa signals he is pushing hard for recognition as the next in line
