Caio Borralho Says Reinier de Ridder ‘Didn’t Want to Be There’ Before UFC 326 Fight

Borralho Questions De Ridder’s Mindset After UFC 326 Victory

Brazilian middleweight contender Caio Borralho believes his opponent Reinier de Ridder mentally checked out long before their clash at UFC 326. After securing a convincing victory, Borralho suggested that de Ridder did not appear fully committed to the fight even before stepping into the octagon.

The highly anticipated middleweight bout took place at UFC 326 in Las Vegas, where Borralho dominated the contest and earned a unanimous decision victory over the former two-division ONE Championship titleholder.

With this win, Borralho strengthened his position in the UFC middleweight rankings and moved closer to another potential title opportunity.

Borralho Felt De Ridder Was Not Mentally Ready

Speaking after the fight, Borralho shared his honest assessment of de Ridder’s performance. According to him, the Dutch fighter didn’t seem fully motivated or mentally present during the fight buildup.

Borralho suggested that something about de Ridder’s attitude and body language made it seem like he had already lost confidence before the bout began.

Even UFC CEO Dana White reportedly questioned the same issue after the fight, stating that de Ridder didn’t look like the same fighter fans had seen in previous performances.

These comments have sparked discussions among MMA fans about whether de Ridder’s recent struggles are physical, mental, or a combination of both

A Dominant Performance From Caio Borralho

Borralho executed a calculated game plan throughout the fight. Using his grappling control and striking pressure, he kept de Ridder on the defensive for most of the bout.

The judges scored the fight 30-27 on all three scorecards, giving Borralho a clear victory.

The Brazilian fighter showed patience, discipline, and technical superiority—traits that have helped him climb the ranks in the UFC’s competitive middleweight division.

Reinier de Ridder’s Recent Setbacks

Reinier de Ridder entered the UFC with significant momentum. The Dutch fighter previously held two titles in ONE Championship and was seen as a major threat in the UFC middleweight division.

However, his recent performances have raised questions. After suffering a stoppage loss to Brendan Allen in a previous fight, the defeat to Borralho marks another setback in his UFC run.

For de Ridder, the loss means he must regroup and address both performance and confidence issues before returning to the octagon.

What’s Next for Borralho?

Borralho’s win at UFC 326 has potentially placed him back in the middleweight title conversation. The Brazilian contender has consistently shown strong grappling, intelligent fight strategy, and improving striking skills.

With the division constantly evolving, a few more dominant wins could put Borralho in line for a fight against one of the top contenders or even a championship opportunity.

Fans and analysts will now be watching closely to see who the UFC matches him with next.

Conclusion

Caio Borralho’s impressive victory over Reinier de Ridder at UFC 326 not only strengthened his position in the middleweight division but also raised questions about his opponent’s mindset heading into the fight. While Borralho continues his rise toward title contention, de Ridder will need to rebuild momentum if he hopes to remain a serious competitor in the division.