MMA Preview – Caio Borralho vs Abus Magomedov at UFC Fight Night 231
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
CAIO BORRALHO VS ABUS MAGOMEDOV FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 231? Saturday 4th November, 2023 - 23:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 231? Ginasio do Ibirapuera, Sao Paulo, (Brazil)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 231? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 231 on? TNT Sports 2
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 231? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
CAIO BORRALHO VS ABUS MAGOMEDOV LOWDOWN
Caio Borralho (14-1) is climbing his way up the middleweight ranks sweeping up four UFC wins since his debut last year. He opened his account with three unanimous decisions in a row over Gadzhi Omargadzhiev, Armen Petrosyan and Makhmud Muradov last year. He returned in April to fight the veteran Michal Oleksiejczuk and notched the fourth submission of his career.
He was preparing to fight fellow prospect Nursulton Ruziboev who dropped out. Fortunately, Abus Magomedov (25-5-1) has stepped up to the plate and wants to make amends after his humbling defeat back in July. He was coming off a dream debut knocking out Dustin Stolzfus (2022) with a beautiful front kick and then ran into the path of Sean Strickland (2023) who knocked him out in the second round.
CAIO BORRALHO VS ABUS MAGOMEDOV PREDICTION
Seeing Strickland go on to out strike Israel Adesanya to become the middleweight champion would have softened the blow of that knockout, but Magomedov still has a lot to prove. Although Strickand does that to most middleweights on the roster, he faded quickly and he is up against a grinder.
Borralho is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo. He is also a strong wrestler and will try and suffocate Magomedov and put him on his back. He is also a decent striker, but he would be foolish to try and stand with Magomedov for three rounds.
Borralho will have to work very hard to land the takedown as Magomedov is also a very strong wrestler. If he can stuff the early takedowns, he can break the confidence of the Brazilian and proceed to light him up on the feet.
Considering the odds, Magomedov is a good pick, but we are backing Borralho to be relentless with his takedown attempts with the home fans carrying him to a decision or late submission.
Prediction: Borralho via Decision
Value bet: Magomedov to win
