Main Card: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT (co-main expected ~11:30 PM–12:00 AM ET)
Prelims: 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (Las Vegas Strip)
Broadcast: Paramount+ (full card)
This stacked middleweight co-main event pits two top-10 contenders rebounding from recent setbacks in a potential title-eliminator. Caio Borralho, the Brazilian prospect with elite well-rounded skills, looks to prove his first UFC loss was a fluke. Reinier de Ridder, the former ONE dual-champion and grappling savant, seeks redemption after a shocking cardio-related stoppage loss. Winner likely earns a crack at the middleweight title picture in a loaded 185-pound division.
Fighter Records & Rankings Context
- Caio Borralho (Brazil): 17-2-0 overall (UFC: 7-1). Ranked #7–8 middleweight. The 32-year-old Fighting Nerds product is a complete fighter with strong wrestling, crisp striking, and improving finishing ability.
- Reinier de Ridder (Netherlands): 21-3-0 overall (UFC: 4-1). Ranked #8–9 middleweight. The 29-year-old (6’4″, 84″ reach) is an elite grappler with power and pressure, but his recent output has raised questions about durability under elite pace.
Borralho enters as the slight favorite with better recent consistency; de Ridder brings size, grappling pedigree, and motivation for a statement rebound.
Recent Form (Last 5 Fights)
Caio Borralho (1-1 in last 2; 7-1 in UFC before setback):
- Sep 6, 2025: L UD vs. Nassourdine Imavov (UFC Paris main event, 5 rounds) – competitive but outworked over 25 minutes in a title-eliminator style fight.
- Aug 24, 2024: W UD vs. Jared Cannonier (UFC Fight Night) – dominant 5-round masterclass.
- May 4, 2024: W KO/TKO vs. Paul Craig (UFC 301) – highlight-reel ground-and-pound finish.
- Nov 4, 2023: W UD vs. Abus Magomedov.
- Earlier streak: Multiple dominant wins showcasing volume and control.
Borralho’s only UFC loss came against a surging Imavov; he has never been finished.
Reinier de Ridder (1 loss in last 5; 4-1 in UFC):
- Oct 18, 2025: L TKO (corner stoppage) vs. Brendan Allen (UFC Fight Night Vancouver, R4) – dominated early but gassed badly; corner threw in the towel due to exhaustion (de Ridder admitted over-activity toll).
- Jul 26, 2025: W SD vs. Robert Whittaker (UFC Fight Night).
- May 3, 2025: W KO/TKO vs. Bo Nickal.
- Jan 18, 2025: W SUB vs. Kevin Holland.
- UFC debut win (2024).
De Ridder looked unstoppable with four straight UFC wins before the Allen cardio collapse; he has since addressed conditioning publicly.
Injury Report
- Caio Borralho: Fully healthy. No reported injuries; completed a full camp after the Imavov loss with no weight or medical issues.
- Reinier de Ridder: Fully cleared. The October 2025 cardio breakdown vs. Allen led to medical testing and conditioning fixes (publicly confirmed); no lingering structural injuries. Full training camp completed without setbacks.
Both fighters enter 100% healthy — critical for de Ridder after his last outing’s fatigue concerns.
Fighter Matchups & Styles
- Striking: Borralho has cleaner boxing, better volume, and leg kicks. De Ridder uses long range, heavy pressure, and elbows; size advantage (3-inch height, 9-inch reach) helps him control distance.
- Grappling: De Ridder’s elite BJJ (multiple high-level subs) vs. Borralho’s strong wrestling base and scramble ability. Takedowns could decide the fight — Borralho defends well but de Ridder chains relentlessly.
- Physicality & Cardio: De Ridder’s length and power edge early; Borralho’s pace and gas tank shine late. Question mark remains de Ridder’s improved conditioning post-Allen.
- X-Factors: Borralho’s durability (never finished) and fight IQ vs. de Ridder’s finishing threat and redemption narrative. Expect grappling exchanges mixed with stand-up wars.
Fight History & Head-to-Head
First meeting — no prior history. Borralho is 7-1 in the UFC with well-rounded dominance; de Ridder is 4-1 with highlight finishes but one glaring cardio lapse.
Betting Trends:
- Both coming off losses — rebound spots favor the more consistent fighter (Borralho profile).
- De Ridder’s only UFC loss featured a late stoppage due to fatigue; Borralho has never been stopped.
- Middleweight co-mains with size mismatches trend toward decisions when grappling-heavy (65%+).
- Public money split (~55% on Borralho); sharp money leans Borralho due to de Ridder’s recent questions.
- Over 2.5 rounds has hit in 4 of Borralho’s last 5; de Ridder’s recent fights mixed early/late endings.
FIGHT ODDS
Caio Borralho – 250
Reinier de Ridder + 200
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, March 6, 2026
