Caio Borralho Stirs Beef By Crowning Bo Nickal as ‘Most Overrated Fighter’ in Middleweight Division

Borralho’s criticism comes after months of fan skepticism surrounding Nickal. From the moment he entered the UFC, Nickal was touted as a future champion, with his decorated wrestling background fueling bold statements about reaching the title within just two years. He also revealed that there were still higher-ranked opponents that the wrestler has not faced yet.

Nickal’s recent outings have only added to the conversation. While he has secured wins, his cautious showing against Paul Craig at UFC 309 drew loud boos from the crowd and chants of “overrated.” His first professional loss, against Reinier De Ridder in May 2025, also fueled speculation regarding his fighting prowess. However, Nickal has remained unfazed and believes that he can bounce back.

Borralho, on the other hand, has maintained his UFC undefeated record. Since his debut in Dana Whites Contender Series 5, the Brazilian made a name for himself after defeating UFC veterans such as Jared Cannonier and Craig in dominant performances. However, a win against Imavov at UFC Paris will undoubtedly push his case for title contention.

Ultimately, Borralho’s comments are as much a reflection on his own journey as they are a jab at Nickal’s. He embodies the long road to legitimacy, while Nickal represents the risks of fast-tracking a prospect. Whether Nickal can close that gap remains to be seen, but Borralho’s steady climb has already earned him the right to speak from experience.

Caio Borralho speaks on the hype surrounding Bo Nickal

Caio Borralho himself has seen a steady rise in the UFC since his debut in 2022, showcasing technical striking and a keen fight IQ. Bo Nickal, a former NCAA wrestling champion, has demolished opponents quickly in his short UFC run, earning first-round finishes and heavy promotion as a potential future title challenger. The Brazilian fighter suggests that transitioning to elite MMA competition takes time, not hype.

Borralho has made headlines after questioning the hype surrounding rising middleweight contender Bo Nickal. The Brazilian prospect believes fans and media were inflating Nickal’s reputation too soon, despite his dominant wrestling pedigree and early UFC finishes. He spoke about his distaste for the hype surrounding fighters in an interview with the Trocação Franca podcast.

Too much hype, man. Too much hype, I hate hype. I hate when people say I’m hyped or anything like that because it’s not hype, it’s hard work. I won’t give him too much attention because he can barely move on the feet, his style is so ugly.

Caio Borralho via Trocação Franca

For Borralho, the conversation about hype isn’t new. He likens Nickal’s rise to the case of Raul Rosas Jr., who was billed as a future three-division champion before suffering a humbling loss. He believed that hype builds unrealistic expectations that often crumble when fighters face tougher competition.