“We’ve trained together, and when you’re sweating with someone, bleeding with someone, and training side by side like that, it’s just a different bond.” This is how reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad dismissed any chance of fighting 155lbs kingpin Islam Makhachev, should he ever move up. Their strong bond and years of training together under the same roof made it clear to Muhammad that they would avoid facing each other in the Octagon. However, the situation is different for Caio Borralho. Unlike many teammates who prefer not to fight one another, ‘The Natural’ is open to a potential clash with Khamzat Chimaev.

Much like ‘Borz’, Caio Borralho has been quickly rising through the middleweight ranks. Currently ranked #6, the Brazilian is just three spots behind ‘Borz’, who sits at #3. Chimaev has stayed in the spotlight with his recent victory over former champion Robert Whittaker, securing a brutal face-crank submission. Despite their shared history of training in Sweden before Chimaev’s canceled outing against Nate Diaz, Borralho believes his experience working with the grappling juggernaut could give him an edge in a potential fight.

Speaking on the JAXXON podcast, ‘The Natural’ expressed his confidence about facing his former teammate: “I think I have an advantage over anyone facing him because I trained with him for five weeks—first in Sweden and then in Las Vegas. I have a good understanding of his system, what he wants to do next, and how he expects his opponents to react to further his game.”

As the conversation progressed, the Brazilian made it clear that he had been closely observing Khamzat Chimaev’s every move, saying: “I was paying attention to everything. Of course, I was helping him, but I was also observing. He’s a fighter, bro—he’s always paying attention.”

Caio Borralho hasn’t fought since his intense five-round battle with Jared Cannonier at UFC Vegas 96 last August, where he kept his undefeated UFC streak intact. Since then, the Brazilian has expressed his desire to face his former training partner, Khamzat Chimaev, even suggesting that “the time is coming” in a post-fight interview. For the unversed, ‘The Natrual’ spent time training with the Chechen export at the Allstar Training Center in Stockholm, Sweden.

But his training experiences go beyond Khamzat Chimaev—he also worked alongside former middleweight champion Sean Strickland in 2023 and even before UFC 312 earlier this year. Borralho has even compared the two fighters. Let’s take a closer look at who he thinks is the stronger competitor.

Which is tougher for Caio Borralho: Sean Strickland or Khamzat Chimaev?

“I trained with Khamzat Chimaev…also spent time with Sean Strickland,” Caio Borralho revealed back in 2023 at UFC Fight Night 223, emphasizing the valuable experience he gained training alongside some of the biggest names in the division. The Brazilian’s focus extends beyond just becoming a UFC champion; he’s dedicated to learning from the best fighters in MMA, no matter their nationality.

While hailing from Brazil and training at his home gym, The Fighting Nerds, Caio Borralho, also spent time in the U.S. at Xtreme Couture. There, he had the chance to train with future potential competitors like Sean Strickland, Chris Curtis, and Khamzat Chimaev. When asked by ‘The Schmo’ who his toughest training partner is, Borralho didn’t hesitate to give the title to the UAE native. Reflecting on his training sessions, ‘The Natural’ shared:

“Oh dude, for sure the hardest guy to train with is Khamzat. He’s a very tough guy to train with. His style, his wrestling background—he’s very good at wrestling. He goes hard all the rounds. I think he’s one of the hardest to train with. I’ve trained with Sean Strickland, and [Chris Curtis], tough guys, and had hard training sessions. Training with Sean is tough too because he always pushes forward, screaming in your face. But, I think Khamzat is the most difficult to train with for sure. But he’s also the guy I’ve developed the most with.”

What’s your take on Caio Borralho’s comments? Do you think the Brazilian could absorb enough from Khamzat Chimaev’s techniques and skills to eventually surpass him in his own game? Could ‘The Natural’ outshine Chimaev if they ever squared off in the Octagon? Share your thoughts below!