UFC Vegas 96 saw one of the most intense battles in the middleweight division, where Brazilian fighter Caio Borralho faced off against the seasoned American Jared Cannonier. This bout drew the attention of MMA fans, not just because of its significance, but because its outcome could potentially reshape the rankings in the under-84kg middleweight division.
Borralho’s Promise and His Confirmation in the Ring
Caio Borralho, one of the most promising fighters in the middleweight division, entered this fight on the back of a seven-fight win streak since joining the UFC. From the start, Cannonier, known for his strength and experience, struggled to match the power and speed displayed by Borralho.
"Caio Borralho unleashes unbelievable power"
"كايو بوراليو يطلق العنان لقوة لا تُصدَّق"
"Caio Borralho dévoile une puissance incroyable" pic.twitter.com/yiOyZlyCLu
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) August 25, 2024
Borralho’s Dominance Throughout the Fight
The five rounds were a true test of both fighters’ abilities, but Borralho dominated from the first round. Although Cannonier showed some resilience in the fourth round, delivering a better performance, the Brazilian had largely secured the fight in the first three rounds.
Caio Borralho claims victory in the battle against Jared Cannonier and breaks into the top five of the middleweight rankings by judges' decision.4o
كايو بورهايو ينتزع الفوز في المعركة ضد جاريد كانونير ويقتحم المراكز الخمسة الأولى في تصنيف الوزن المتوسط بقرار الحكام.#UFCVegas96 pic.twitter.com/vvLYPLXuJz
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) August 25, 2024
Borralho Breaks into the Top Five
Thanks to this decisive victory by unanimous decision (48-46, 49-45, 49-45), Caio Borralho has now entered the top five of the middleweight rankings. With this win, Borralho has positioned himself as a potential contender for the middleweight title, making him one of the fighters who could disrupt the plans of others in this division, especially after his strong performance in this bout.
Despite a hard hit in the final round, Jared Cannonier held strong, but the judges ultimately delivered a unanimous decision in favor of Caio Borralho.#UFC96
رغم الضربة القاسية في الجولة الأخيرة، صمد جاريد كانونير، لكن الحكام قرروا بالإجماع الفوز لصالح كايو بورهايو. #UFCVegas96 pic.twitter.com/AbIlgkUtAP
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) August 25, 2024
What Does This Victory Mean for the Future of the Middleweight Division?
Borralho’s major win over Cannonier opens the door for potential matchups with the top fighters in this division, and the next step could be a showdown with current middleweight champions like Dricus Du Plessis. With these consecutive wins, the big question remains: Can Borralho maintain this momentum and push towards the middleweight title?
In the end, the future of the middleweight division could witness significant changes with Borralho’s entry into the title contention.
