Caio Vinícius Silva Borralho Bio
Caio Vinícius Silva Borralho, born January 16, 1993, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of September 30, 2025, he is ranked #7 in the UFC middleweight rankings, known for his versatile fighting skills and strategic approach inside the octagon.
Early Life and Background
Born in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, Caio Borralho was influenced early on by his grandfather, a math teacher, which inspired him to tutor peers in math and chemistry starting at age 15. He initially pursued industrial chemistry at Universidade Federal do Maranhão but left university to focus on a career in mixed martial arts beginning in 2014. Borralho began training in martial arts at six years old, starting with judo under Sensei Emílio Moreira, achieving multiple state and national championships in judo during his youth.
After a defeat in a judo tournament, his coach encouraged him to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai to complement his skills. Borralho eventually transitioned fully to MMA, relocating to São Paulo and founding his own team, Fighting Nerds, with coach Pablo Sucupira. His diverse martial arts background includes black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai and a brown belt in judo.
Path to MMA
Caio Borralho’s journey into professional MMA began with his first amateur fight in 2014 at Dojô James Adler in São Luís. After compiling an amateur record, he turned professional the same year. His early career was marked by steady progress through regional circuits, showcasing his grappling and striking abilities. Borralho’s commitment to training and competition earned him a spot on Dana White’s Contender Series, a platform for emerging fighters to earn UFC contracts.
On the Contender Series, Borralho won his debut fight by unanimous decision but did not secure a contract immediately. He returned a month later at Light Heavyweight, winning by first-round TKO and earning his UFC contract. This transition marked his entry into the highest level of mixed martial arts competition.
Caio Borralho Career
Early Career (2014–2021)
Starting his professional career in 2014, Borralho quickly established himself as a formidable competitor with a record of 8–1–1 before entering Dana White’s Contender Series. His early fights demonstrated a balanced skill set, combining effective striking and submission grappling. He trained extensively with his team Fighting Nerds, refining his technique and fight IQ under coach Pablo Sucupira.
His performances in regional promotions and the Contender Series showcased his potential, culminating in a decisive TKO victory that secured his UFC contract. This period laid the foundation for his rise in the middleweight division.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2021–Present)
Caio Borralho made his UFC debut against Gadzhi Omargadzhiev, winning by technical decision due to an accidental foul. He followed this with a unanimous decision victory over Armen Petrosyan and another unanimous decision win against Makhmud Muradov at UFC 280. Borralho’s grappling prowess was highlighted in his submission win via rear-naked choke against Michał Oleksiejczuk.
In 2023, Borralho continued his winning streak with a unanimous decision over Abusupiyan Magomedov and a knockout victory against Paul Craig at UFC 301, earning a Performance of the Night award. His unanimous decision win over Jared Cannonier in August 2024 earned him Fight of the Night honors, solidifying his status as a top contender. Borralho served as a backup for the middleweight championship bout at UFC 319 and faced Nassourdine Imavov in September 2025, experiencing his first UFC loss by unanimous decision.
Fighting Nerds Era (2014–Present)
Throughout his career, Caio Borralho has been affiliated with Fighting Nerds, a team he co-founded in São Paulo. Under the guidance of coach Pablo Sucupira, Borralho has developed a well-rounded fighting style that leverages his black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. His training emphasizes strategic striking, grappling control, and adaptability across weight divisions, including Welterweight, Middleweight, and Light Heavyweight.
Driving Style and Strengths
Borralho is known for his technical grappling, effective submissions, and striking versatility. His background in judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu allows him to control opponents on the ground, while his Muay Thai skills provide powerful stand-up offense. He adapts his strategy based on opponents and excels in fights that require endurance and tactical execution.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Borralho’s career include earning a UFC contract via Dana White’s Contender Series, multiple Performance and Fight of the Night awards, and maintaining a top-10 middleweight ranking. His knockout win over Paul Craig and unanimous decision victory against Jared Cannonier are among his signature performances.
Caio Borralho Career Wins
Caio Borralho has amassed a professional MMA record of 17 wins and 2 losses. His victories include 5 by knockout, 4 by submission, 2 by decision, and 1 by disqualification, reflecting his diverse skill set and finishing ability across multiple weight classes.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Highlights
In the UFC, Borralho has demonstrated consistent success with notable wins over ranked opponents. His first UFC win came via technical decision, followed by decisive victories through submissions and knockouts. His recent performances have earned him accolades and positioned him as a serious contender in the middleweight division.
Other Wins & Performances
Prior to joining the UFC, Borralho built a strong record in regional MMA promotions and on Dana White’s Contender Series. His early career featured multiple championship-level judo achievements and a solid foundation in Brazilian martial arts disciplines that contributed to his professional success.
Caio Borralho Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Caio Borralho’s family background includes a grandfather who was a math teacher, inspiring Borralho’s early academic interests. There is no public information linking his family to martial arts or MMA lineage.
Personal Life
Borralho is married and has one son. He has worn eyeglasses since age three due to myopia and astigmatism. Outside the cage, he enjoys superhero films, video games, anime, and chess, earning him the nickname “Rei dos Nerds” or King of Nerds. He resides in São Paulo, where he also teaches martial arts classes.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Caio Borralho remained an active and prominent competitor in the UFC middleweight division. He served as a backup for the middleweight championship bout at UFC 319, underscoring his status as a top contender. Borralho faced Nassourdine Imavov in September 2025, experiencing a unanimous decision loss that marked a challenging moment in his career. Despite this setback, Borralho’s overall performance in 2025 reflects his continued presence among the elite fighters in his division, with strong team support and strategic development under Fighting Nerds.