At UFC Vegas 96, the Octagon solidified as middleweight contender Caio Borralho outperformed Jared Cannonier, ranked among the top five. Both combatants persevered from the opening minute till the very end, but Boralho came out on top and will receive a unanimous decision.
The Spectacular Win of Boralho vs Cannonier
Previously, Boralho faced title challenger Cannonier and proved his strength and adaptability in the much awaited main event. “The Natural,” a Brazilian fighter, fought in a calculated formation, landing punches after punches on the canonier to counter his opponent’s offensive.
Boralho’s will to fight was evident as the struggle continued. He shifted course and unleashed a ceaseless storm of incredible knees and check hooks, settling into a rhythm with the long throws. In the final moments of the third round, Boralho landed a devastating straight left that nearly ended the fight. Showing impressive toughness, Cannonier managed to survive but was visibly shaken up as he returned to his corner.
Final Breakthrough: Relentless pressure from Boralho
Cannonier made a strong comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, testing Boralho’s defense with some strong shots. Nevertheless, Boralho persisted and would not concede. In the fifth and final round, the Brazilian found the ideal opening. A stunning one-two combo knocked Cannonier to the ground. Seizing the opportunity, Boralho launched a violent assault on the ground.
Cannonier miraculously got back up and lived to hear the last whistle, even though there were attempts to put an end to the fight. Boralho received scores of 49-45, 49-45, and 48-46 on the judges’ scorecards, which demonstrated his domination.
Boralho Calls out Dricus du Plessis
In his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, Boralho wasted no time targeting middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. With fire in his voice, Boralho declared, “You know what I want next, I’ve called you twice already… Dricus Du Plessis, here to pick you up a__, or South Africa and the Fighting Nerds are coming for your baby ! ”
Boralho’s emphasis on the challenge sent a clear message to the incumbent, suggesting that he was ready to shoot 185 pounds.
Henry Cejudo supports Boralho’s title bid
When UFC President Dana White previously suggested Sean Strickland was next in line for a title shot, former two-time champion Henry Cejudo backed Boralho After Boralho’s stellar performance, Cejudo praised “The Natural” and suggested he could be next in line for title ko.
“A great battle! We have a new title challenger in the middleweight division! He has it all!” Cejudo corroborated Boralho’s claim with a shot at the belt.
Road to a Medium weight throne
Currently, Sean Strickland holds the No. 1 spot. 1 spot in the middleweight division, and has made it clear that he is only interested in fighting for the title. But Boralho’s surprise victory over Cannonier and Cejudo’s endorsement have added another layer of complexity to the middleweight title picture.
As Dricus du Plessis prepares for his first title defence, the question of who will challenge next remains uncertain. With Boralho’s performance at UFC Vegas 96, the Brazilian fighter has made a compelling case for himself, potentially disrupting the streak previously established.
The UFC’s middleweight division is more competitive than ever, and as the dust settles from UFC Vegas 96, all eyes are on the next moves of Dricus Du Plessis, Caio Borralho and Sean Strickland.
