Nassourdine Imavov, the top-ranked UFC middleweight contender from France, took a sharp jab at his upcoming rival Caio Borralho ahead of their headline bout at UFC Paris. Using his social media platform, Imavov hinted at dismissing Borralho’s calls for a fight, playing down his opponent’s reputation with a playful yet pointed video clip that questioned Borralho’s prominence in the fight scene.
Imavov’s Subtle but Stinging Challenge to Borralho
Known as “The Sniper,” Nassourdine Imavov has typically kept his focus on action rather than trash talk, but ahead of UFC Paris, he chose a creative and scornful approach. Borralho, ranked sixth in the middleweight division and hailed for his technical prowess as a Muay Thai striker, had been vocal about his desire to face Imavov and advance his path to the title. Yet, Imavov appears to have grown weary of Borralho’s persistent calls and criticisms. In a widely shared video on his X account, Imavov used a montage of Borralho’s clips and interactions, including moments from Brazil where fans and locals seemed unfamiliar with Borralho, to taunt him.
The video cleverly highlighted a recurring phrase, “What Caio…?” implying that Borralho’s name carries little weight outside a close circle. The clip ended with a humorous reference to Borralho’s OnlyFans account—an unusual venture for a UFC athlete—underscoring Imavov’s intent to undermine Borralho’s seriousness as a contender.
OnlyFans, although primarily known as a platform for adult content creators, has been used by several fighters like Paige VanZant, Justin Gaethje, and Valentina Shevchenko to offer fans behind-the-scenes training footage. However, Imavov appears to suggest that Borralho is better known for his subscription content than for his fighting achievements, adding fuel to the brewing rivalry just before their Paris encounter.
The Rising Tension Between Two Middleweight Contenders
The UFC’s middleweight division is stacked with leading contenders eager to challenge the current champion Dricus Du Plessis. Borralho has made significant strides, maintaining an undefeated UFC record of 7-0 after defeating Jared Cannonier in August 2023, which earned him a Fight of the Night bonus. This winning streak elevated Borralho’s profile, solidifying him as a rising star on the cusp of a title shot.
Despite this momentum, Borralho found himself frustrated with the matchmaking process, particularly with Imavov’s reluctance to accept a direct fight for what could be seen as a title eliminator. Borralho publicly questioned Imavov’s work ethic and commitment, referencing Imavov’s background from Dagestan, a region famous for its strict and intense combat training culture. He openly criticized Imavov for avoiding a critical fight during International Fight Week.
“I said yes right away — I didn’t even give any time to talk with my team. No way…We were waiting for [Imavov] to respond — and then I heard that he said no, that he doesn’t want to fight, that he wants to wait for the belt, that I need to fight a top-five guy first. But he’s a top-five guy! Makes no sense; …I’m just lost, bro, to be honest with you, …everyone’s ducking…Robert Whittaker ducked…everyone ducked.”
—Caio Borralho, UFC Fighter on The Ariel Helwani Show
Borralho described the potential fight with Imavov as a “two-round type” explosive matchup he was eager for, but that Imavov had declined. With the UFC Paris event confirmed, both fighters are now openly exchanging barbs, intensifying the excitement and stakes for their face-off.
Background on Borralho’s Climb and Imavov’s Position
Caio Borralho, hailing from São Luís, Maranhão in Brazil, has steadily built a reputation through his dynamic performances in the Octagon. His unbeaten run and notable wins have cast him as a serious challenger within the middleweight division, garnering praise for his skill and determination. His ambition to fight top-level opponents like Khamzat Chimaev has fueled his competitive drive and increased his profile.
On the other side, Nassourdine Imavov, born in Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia, has earned recognition for his striking precision and tactical approach. Although he has had moments as a backup for pay-per-view title fights and competed against former champion Israel Adesanya at UFC Fight Night 250, Imavov’s path to the title has required strategic navigation through a crowded and talented division.
The rivalry between these two fighters not only points to their personal ambitions but highlights the complexity of the middleweight landscape, where timing, matchmaking, and willingness to fight top contenders influence who advances toward championship opportunities.
The Significance of Their UFC Paris Bout and What Lies Ahead
The upcoming UFC Paris event is poised to be a defining moment for both fighters. For Imavov, it’s a chance to reaffirm his position as the top contender and prove his resilience against a determined and unbeaten opponent. For Borralho, it represents an opportunity to finally overcome the fighter he has long challenged and prove his legitimacy as a title contender in the crowded middleweight division.
This rivalry, marked by frustration and intensity on both sides, may set the tone for future matchups and possibly influence the middleweight title picture. With emotions running high and competitive spirits ignited, the UFC Paris showdown promises a compelling contest that fans and analysts alike will watch closely.
As the fight approaches, the interaction between Imavov and Borralho demonstrates how UFC athletes use both the cage and social media to build narratives and hype, blending in personal jabs with sporting ambition. The outcome in Paris will undoubtedly impact their careers and possibly reshape the division’s hierarchy moving forward.