Right after the beef between Yair Rodriguez and Diego Lopes at the pre-fight press conference for UFC 314, the MMA realm witnessed the rise of yet another beef. And this time, all eyes were on the #6 middleweight contender, Caio Borralho. Not too long ago, the Fighting Nerd revealed, “We already have a fight, we already have a date, we already have an opponent. I just can’t say anything yet, absolutely nothing. That’s the most I can say.” It seemed like he was all set to land against Nassourdine Imavov soon enough. However, the Frenchman apparently wasn’t willing to face the Brazilian. And that greatly angered ‘The Natural’.

During a conversation with Full Send MMA, the 32-year-old fighter revealed that he said yes as soon as the UFC offered him the fight against ‘The Sniper’. But the same wasn’t true with the Frenchman. Even though the UFC pointed out that if he refused to fight, it would push Borralho higher up in the rankings. But #1 middleweight contender seemed to have no issues with that. Weighing in on Imavov’s behavior, ‘The Natural’ said, “I don’t know what this guy is thinking, you know.” 

He seemed a have a reply for people pointing at Imavov’s victory over Jared Cannonier and Israel Adesanya. In case of Cannonier, it was an early finish for Imavov. According to Borralho, he was on the losing side. And ‘The Last Stylebender’ has been on a rut with a 3-fight losing streak. He claimed, “So, nothing to be, you know, like, proud of.” Borralho even made some harsh comments regarding Imavov’s Dagestani roots. He said, “I heard this guy is kind of a Dagestani. I think the Dagestani people are ashamed of him. I heard that the Dagestani guys like to fight. They fight in the street. They live a rough life. But this guy is a f——- p—–. He’s not Dagestani. Dagestan is shame of you, have shame on you. That’s what they have.” 

Of course, Borralho was pretty excited to take on the #1 middleweight contender and get closer to the road to the middleweight championship title. He even played out a hypothetical scenario regarding the fight during one of his interviews with Submission Radio. Let’s take a look at what he said. 

Caio Borralho believed that he could best Nassourdine Imavov

After Imavov knocked the former 2-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, out cold at UFC Fight Night 250, Borralho adjusted his crosshairs to keep the aim at the French fighter. Well, he also considered Robert Whittaker as his next potential opponent. But he left the decision with the UFC. “So whoever the UFC decides me to go, I’m ready,” the Brazilian claimed. But if he got the chance to fight Imavov, Borralho seemed confident that he would win. 

‘The Natural’ quoted, “If it’s a five-round fight. I think he might get tired with my pace and my rhythm on him. I for sure need to get a little bit aware of his right hand because he comes very fast, and in this sport the speed and the timing beats everything. So I think we can have two great, close rounds, maybe three, but in the fourth or fifth, I think I can push him a little bit more and maybe get the finish – but for sure get the victory.”

But now, Borralho’s dreams lay shattered, as Imavov allegedly pulled out of a slated fight with ‘The Natural’. Judging from Imavov’s social media posts, we can make an educated guess that he’s preparing for a big fight against Dricus Du Plessis. Being the #1 middleweight contender, Imavov wouldn’t really wish to fight to defend his top spot. Instead, he’s more likely to go for the belt. 

But what do you think? Do you think Imavov made a huge mistake by missing out on fighting Borralho? Who do you think should ‘The Natural’ fight instead of ‘The Sniper’? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.