Caio Borralho and Paul Craig meet Saturday on the UFC 301 principal card at Farmasi Area in Rio de Janeiro. Try this fast breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Final occasion: 3-3
UFC principal playing cards, 2024: 31-32-2
Caio Borralho vs. Paul Craig UFC 301 preview
Borralho hasn’t misplaced since his second professional combat practically 9 years in the past … Borralho wanted two Dana White’s Contender Collection wins to get to the UFC, however is 5-0 within the promotion … Craig made the transfer to middleweight in 2023 after years at mild heavyweight … Craig gained his 185-pound debut with a bonus-winning TKO of Andre Muniz, however misplaced his follow-up to Brendan Allen for his third setback in 4 fights.
Caio Borralho vs. Paul Craig professional choose, prediction
Paul Craig
Regardless of Joe Silva mastering principal card codecs a few years in the past by reserving males’s light-weight or featherweight because the openers, the present crop of UFC matchmakers proceed to force-feed us middleweights in these prime positions.
And despite the fact that we now have improbable fights like Joanderson Briot and Jack Shore just under this, the powers that be determined to kick off the paid portion of the cardboard with a possible middleweight squash match between Paul Craig and Caio Barralho.
Though I’m an enormous fan of Craig and provides him extra of a shot than the betting public is, I’ve a tough time seeing a concrete means for the Scotsman to win outdoors of lightning hanging for an additional opportunistic submission.
Borralho, alternatively, generally is a irritating fighter given his propensity to counter and peck away from the surface.
Paul Craig, who fights Caio Borralho at #UFC301, is 4-1 reverse UFC-level southpaws (W: Ankalaev, Nzechukwu, Hill, Muniz; L: Rountree)
Craig is unquestionably not past being tagged by SP kicks and counters, however he has proven regular enhancements to his hanging. #TheSouthpawReport pic.twitter.com/orXz3Az7S8
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) Might 3, 2024
Craig has been displaying hanging enhancements that may assist maintain him afloat, however I’m unsure he can provide up sufficient to remain forward of his Brazilian counterpart on the scorecards.
The choose is Borralho through a irritating unanimous choice.
Caio Borralho vs. Paul Craig odds
Nov 4, 2023; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Caio Borralho (crimson gloves) reacts after defeating Abus Magomedov (not pictured) throughout UFC Battle Night time at Ibirapuera Area. Obligatory Credit score: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports activities
Borralho is a large -670 favourite, based on FanDuel. He hasn’t been that massive of a favourite since his DWCS combat towards Jesse Murray in 2021, when he was -1400. Conversely, the final time Craig was this massive of an underdog, he upset Magomed Ankalaev with a bonus-winning submission in 2018 in London.
Caio Borralho vs. Paul Craig begin time, the way to watch
As the primary card opener, Caio Borralho and Paul Craig are anticipated to make their stroll to the octagon round 10:15 p.m. ET. The combat airs on pay-per-view through ESPN+.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 301.
For extra detailed evaluation from Dan Tom, take a look at his weekly present, “The Shield Ya’ Neck Podcast.”
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