The UFC 319 backup opponent was not needed over the weekend, but it has not stopped him from eyeing a middleweight title shot.
Khamzat Chimaev put on a dominant display of grappling when he dethroned Dricus Du Plessis to become the new UFC middleweight champion, and he is looking to head back into the Octagon quickly.
Following the contest, Chimaev revealed how strong Dricus was and also added that he was considering defending his belt in Abu Dhabi in October.
Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC
A quick turnaround for the new champion, given he has just fought five rounds against a tough South African opponent.
The UFC 319 backup fighters’ fiery response to a Khamzat Chimaev fight following the Dricus Du Plessis contest
While there may be a shortage of challengers due to most competing in the weeks leading up to the UFC 319 event, including Reinier de Ridder, who beat Robert Whittaker.
Now, the UFC 319 backup opponent, Caio Borralho, has thrown his name in the hat to face Khamzat whenever he is willing to defend, even if he has a fight scheduled in September.
Borralho is supposed to face Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Paris, but if the opportunity against the Chechen is presented, he has one response.
Speaking to MMA Junkie, the Brazilian said: “If UFC comes to me right now and say, ‘F- – – him. He’s a guy who gives us a lot of work. He didn’t want to fight on International Fight Week. He called the backup a leftover’.
“He’s like, he doesn’t respect the UFC. So f- – – him. F- – – Paris. Go prepare to fight Khamzat in October. I’m ready. If the UFC offer me this, I’ll say yes right away. See what happens.
“I don’t care for this guy. Let him wait.”
Imavov took aim at the backup fighter after declining the spot, calling him a ‘leftover’ when he should be focusing on their fight.
When Caio was asked about negative fan responses to the fight, he explained that while it was a high-level fight, because there was no finish, it may be considered ‘boring’.
UFC 319 backup fighter reveals one advantage that would secure a potential Khamzat Chimaev win
While it is not surprising that the star wants to get his title opportunity straight away, after the performance against ‘Stillknocks’, it is difficult for MMA fans to see who beats ‘Borz’.
However, the ‘Fighting Nerds’ member believes he has one specific advantage over all the middleweights in the top 15.
In the interview, he reacted to whether his chances of winning are lessened after the dominant performance.
He said: “I spent one month in his training camp when he was in all All-Stars over there, and I know very well how he works his system and everything.
Caio Borralho says he’s the only one with answers to Khamzat Chimaev’s grappling system after his #UFC319 title win.
“I’m the one that has an advantage to beat him, because I know exactly what he’s doing.”
(via @MikeBohn) pic.twitter.com/bpuJzB0jDA
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 17, 2025
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“I have an advantage over all the middleweight fighters. I think I’m the one that has the advantage to beat him because I know exactly what he’s doing, what exactly his system is and all these steps that he needs to go through, and how to deny these steps.
“So I’m very respectful of Khamzat. He’s like a brother to me. But at this time, at this point in this level of the competition, it’s me and him.”
The UFC Paris fight takes place on September 6th, and the 32-year-old will have to make weight for a second time in a month, which has been highlighted by his French opponent as a disadvantage for Brazil’s own.