UFC middleweight contender Caio Borralho believes his youth will play a major factor against Jared Cannonier in their upcoming main event.
The promotion recently announced a late-notice headliner for the UFC Fight Night at the Apex on August 24, with former 185-pound title challenger and top-five contender Cannonier defending his position on the ladder against a charging up-and-comer.
Borralho is unbeaten in 15 fights since defeat in just his second professional bout, and he's extended that run with a perfect 6-0 UFC record since breaking through on Dana White's Contender Series three years ago.
Having most recently knocked out Paul Craig in emphatic fashion at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro to climb to #12 in the middleweight pecking order, "The Natural" has received a major opportunity.
And although "The Killa Gorilla" marks a big step up in competition for him, the Brazilian expects to be sharing the cage with a fading vet later this month...
Borralho Sees Clear Advantage Over 'Aging' Cannonier
During an interview with Mike Owens for InsideFighting, Borralho looked ahead to his recently announced maiden headliner on mixed martial arts' biggest stage.
While "The Natural" acknowledged the "scary" nature of Cannonier's power, which has helped him become one of just two fighters to record knockouts across three UFC divisions, he believes the veteran is slowing down.
And with the Brazilian approaching his prime as he rises the ranks at 185 pounds, Borralho is expecting to be the one who "breaks" the 40-year-old.
He's number five in the world, so I think it will be a great opportunity for me to show my work and what I'm capable of," Borralho said. "I'm very excited about this fight because Jared is a very scary guy; fought in three divisions, great knockout power. In the middleweight division, he's only lost to two former champions. ... He lost to Imavov but I think it was an early stoppage.
I think he's a good guy to face because it's gonna really test myself, and that's what I really want. ... I think it's gonna be another clinical victory for myself," Borralho continued. "(Cannonier) was slowing down (against Imavov). I saw his fight against Strickland; he did a very good pace, was with a good gas tank. But he was 37, I think 38. Now he's 40, almost 41. I think the age — I don't mean to be disrespectful, but I think the age is coming at him. He's kind of slowing down and not with the same gas tank. I think this will be the breaking point because I'm gonna put the pressure on. ... The old man's not gonna take it, with all due respect.
Borralho will look to prove that assessment correct come fight night on August 24. In doing so, he's hoping to next face current champion Dricus Du Plessis in a title eliminator, as he expects the South African to lose his gold at the hands of Israel Adesanya this month.
Whether or not that plan comes to fruition remains to be seen, but either way, a strong result at the expense of "The Killa Gorilla" will certainly leave him with a prime position in the title picture.
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