What does it mean to wear your beliefs on your skin? For Caio Borralho, each mark on his skin is a battle scar and a declaration. Fans see the ink when the Brazilian steps into the Octagon, but do they truly know what those words mean? At 33, Borralho has turned his body into a canvas of resilience. From his neck to his chest and arms, the tattoos are more than decoration.
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With his upcoming co-main event fight against Reinier de Ridder at UFC 326 this weekend, let’s explore the meanings behind them.
What is the meaning of Caio Borralho’s neck tattoo?
The first thing fans notice is the ink on his neck. Two words: Free Spirit. Painful to place, impossible to ignore. But why choose those words?
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“Yeah, there’s a lot of meaning in these tattoos,” said Caio Borralho during the UFC Vegas 58 media day back in 2022. “But I think the principle in this one is that I’m free inside the octagon, like I can do everything over there.
That’s why they call me ‘The Natural’ because everywhere is natural for me. I’m a free spirit inside the octagon. Free of pressure, free of anxiety, free of fear. I don’t judge anything go over there, you know?”
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The 33-year-old has been fighting in professional MMA since 2014 and specializes in Muay Thai, along with Judo and BJJ. The second meaning that he connects to the tattoo is related to being himself in this world of social media. He does not try to be like other people and is always striving to be himself.
“The other meaning is that people need to be free-spirited a little bit more,” he further explained. “Like, I see social media and stuff, and everyone trying to be like other guys. No, no, you need to be yourself to be free.”
That’s why he inked the words before even signing with the UFC, already knowing what message he wanted to carry into the spotlight. So, when you see Free Spirit across his neck, it’s more than art. It’s a battle cry. But the neck isn’t the only place Caio Borralho carries meaning.
Are there any Other tattoos on Caio Borralho’s body
‘The Natural’ spoke about his other tattoos as well in the same press conference. Speaking about the tattoo on his arm, which says, ‘Fight or die’, the fighter explained that it means that in life, either one fights or dies.
Caio Borralho revealed that most of his tattoos are phrases and all of them have a meaning or message. He also talked about the 5 surgeries he went through and how he did not give up because the only option for him was always to fight.
The chest ink and the arm ink combine into a philosophy. Be free, but fight when it matters. Live without pretending, but never stop moving forward. It’s no surprise then that Caio Borralho fights with the same grit his tattoos speak of.
Each phrase tells you who he is, what he’s endured, and how he sees the fight game. As UFC 326 approaches, one question lingers. Will the Free Spirit rise against a tough opponent like Reinier de Ridder to rise back up in the middleweight title contention?
Do you think he will be able to make a strong comeback following a loss against Nassourdine Imavov? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Written by
Edited by
Sakshi Jain