The bespectacled Brazilian was one of the breakout stars from Season 5 of Dana White’s Contender Series last year, hanging around for a second fight two weeks after defeating Aaron Jeffrey but failing to get a contract, confident that he would win the UFC President over with his second effort.
After mauling Jesse Murray, Borralho was invited to join the UFC roster, and this year, the 29-year-old middleweight has continued to impress, taking out a pair of classmates from last season’s DWCS graduating group.
In April, Borralho dominated Gadzhi Omargadzhiev, earning a technical decision win after an accidental foul rendered Omargadzhiev unable to continue. Then, in July, he shared the Octagon with Armen Petrosyan and posted a second consecutive decision win, pushing his overall winning streak to nine and his unbeaten run to a dozen.
Having shown he’s capable of turning back fellow new arrivals to the UFC roster, Borralho gets a step up in competition this weekend in Abu Dhabi, stepping in opposite 32-fight veteran Makhmud Muradov on Saturday.
UFC 280 COUNTDOWN: Full Episode | Oliveira vs Makhachev | Sterling vs Dillashaw | Yan vs O’Malley
The 32-year-old Muradov earned three straight victories to begin his UFC tenure, including stoppage wins over Trevor Smith and Andrew Sanchez that ran his winning streak to 14 and gave him an 18-2 record over his last 20 fights. His run of success came to an end last time out against Gerald Meerschaert, as the indefatigable American veteran rallied back following a rough opening frame to secure a second-round submission finish.
Despite the setback last summer, Muradov is easily the most experienced, most skilled, most dangerous opponent Borralho has faced to date in the UFC, and this weekend’s pairing should help further clarify where the streaking DWCS alum fits in the middleweight division.
A victory in Abu Dhabi won’t necessarily hustle Borralho into the Top 15 in the 185-pound ranks, but it should carry him close to cracking the rankings and land him in the Octagon with someone in a comparable position — or maybe a number next to their name — the next time he steps into the UFC cage.
