Andre Lima sharply criticized Kevin Borjas following their fight, accusing him of running for ten minutes and spending the other five resting on the canvas in what Lima called a strategy designed purely to avoid a knockout. Lima expressed frustration at losing to an opponent he views so poorly and declared he is moving down to the bantamweight division.
Andre Lima unloaded on Kevin Borjas after their recent contest, blasting the Peruvian fighter's performance and announcing he will be dropping to bantamweight following the defeat.
Lima, nicknamed "Mascote," carries an 11-1-0 record and has built a reputation as one of the more well-rounded strikers in his division. The 27-year-old Brazilian, who fights out of Team Lucas Mineiro, lands 3.94 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 56 percent accuracy, and also contributes on the ground with 1.11 takedowns per fifteen minutes and 0.9 submission attempts per fifteen minutes. Despite those credentials, he now owns a loss that he is clearly struggling to accept.
Borjas, known as "El Gallo Negro," improved to 11-5-0 with the victory. The 28-year-old from Peru trains out of Pitbull Martial Arts Center and brings a strike output of 3.87 significant strikes per minute, though his game involves no recorded takedown or submission activity. Standing five-foot-five with a 68-inch reach, Borjas works from an orthodox stance and has now picked up a win that has generated significant post-fight controversy.
Lima was blunt in his assessment of how the fight unfolded, accusing Borjas of spending ten minutes moving away from exchanges and the remaining five recovering on the canvas — a tactic Lima described as a deliberate plan to survive rather than compete. He made clear his frustration at dropping a decision to a fighter he holds in such low regard.
Why it matters
- Lima's move to bantamweight reshapes his trajectory and could place him among a deeper pool of finishers in that division
- The accusations against Borjas raise questions about how his performance will be perceived by matchmakers going forward
- A fighter with Lima's striking accuracy and submission activity will draw attention at 135 pounds if he can make the weight consistently
