Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight standouts Caio Borralho vs. Yousri Belgaroui this weekend (Saturday, November 14, 2026) at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York UFC 334.
Borralho has now circled a few fights around his first title shot. Loss Nassourdine Imavov hurt for sure, but it’s him the only disappointment in nine trips to the octagon. The leader in this match Fighting nerds must defend his position near the top of the middleweight heap. Belgaroui is still unrankedbut he is not known as the “Boogeyman” for no reason. The 6’5″ professional kickboxer has started his UFC career with three knockout wins, showing real improvement in his grappling and grappling. This is a huge opportunity Alex Pereiratraining partnerwho can jump out of many potential contenders with a win here.
Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:
Borralho vs Belgaroui Betting odds
- Caio Borralho win: -165
- Caio Borralho via TKO/KO/DQ: +750
- Via Caio Borralho submission: +600
- By decision of Caio Borralho: +140
- Yousri Belgaroui win: +130
- Yousri Belgaroui via TKO/KO/DQ: +450
- Via submission by Yousri Belgaroui: +3000
- With the decision of Yousri Belgaroui: +275
- Odds via FanDuel sports betting
Borralho is a well-rounded and tactical Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter. His fight control and submission are certainly his strongest attributes, but Borralho also strikes well from distance. Moving away from a karate influenced stance, Borralho punches effectively from both sides and lands a good jab with his right hand to skip his opposition.
The big question here is whether Borralho can drag his man to the canvas. He has a huge advantage on the floor, but he has to fight there! Historically, Borralho relies on an athletic double leg to floor opponents. But he doesn’t always set it up, so he had trouble dragging Imavov to the canvas.
Belgaroui’s defense has improved significantly and he is a big, strong middleweight. Just trying to run him over with my bare feet not move. To take the kickboxer down, Borralho has to lull him into a false sense of security. Borralho should be kicking and firing big, obvious shots to the open side, selling Belgaroui on the idea of the two trading blows.
Professional kickboxers have real muscle memory. If they block a shot, they fire back, often with a shot of their own. If Borralho can harness those instincts, he can trick Belgaroui into giving up an easy takedown.
Belgaroui is methodical about his violent kickboxing. He is the antithesis of a bounty hunter, as Belgaroui consistently breaks down opponents at every level. He destroys the calf with his feet, hits the midsection with knees and kicks, and then leaves his opponents vulnerable to uppercuts.
Against Borralho, Belgaroui’s ability to fake effectively and cover shots will be tested. He just can’t stop kicking because of the wrestling threat, the leg kick is a game changing weapon for the Dutch “Boogeyman”. He just needs to find time to work his tricks and avoid getting too close, which is thankfully already part of his offense.
Overall, I’d like to see Belgaroui reverse Borralho. Belgaroui wants to stay away from the fence and one of the easiest ways is to inch Borralho towards the cage instead. Additionally, Borralho’s retreat is one of the safest ways to free kick. If Borralho veers away from shots, he can’t hit shots or hit a reactive double.
Borralho vs Belgaroui Prediction
I jumped on Belgaroui’s jump train since he was knocked out Azamat Bekoev on his promotional debut. Since then, he has maintained a very high level of performance, but this is an absolutely huge leap in competition. There is a real concern that Borralho is too much, too soon and reveals that Belgaroui’s ground game is still extreme.
The Brazilian is a different level of jiu-jitsu than anyone Belgaroui has ever faced.
However, I don’t know if I trust Borralho to take his foe to the floor. His slick distance hitting style is efficient and responsible, but not the best for setting up takedowns. It’s counting on his opponent to overextend, and Belgarou has years of striking experience to help him avoid exactly that. With Belgaroui working behind his jabs, short combinations and leg kicks, Borralho will have a hard time landing a shot.
It is not in Borralho’s style to force the subject. He has never shown the ability to mercilessly combine combos and takedowns in an anti-pressure style. His preference for striking at range should play right into Belgaroui’s hands, and the kickboxer can find success over time.
Prediction: by Belgaroui decision
