Caio Borralho targets UFC 334 return, wants top-10 opponent

Caio Borralho is ready to return to the Octagon after recovering from the rib injury that forced him out of his scheduled fight against Joe Pyfer at UFC 330. Now back to full training after undergoing surgery, the Brazilian middleweight is targeting a return at UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 14 and wants to face a top-10 opponent as he continues his climb toward the division's title picture.

Caio Borralho Eyes UFC 334 Return

Shortly before his fight against Reinier de Ridder in March, Borralho fractured his rib during training but decided to fight anyway. Although injured, the Brazilian managed to win the matchup by unanimous decision. However, Borralho wasn't able to avoid surgery after that appearance, which eventually forced him to withdraw from his planned bout against Pyfer at UFC 330.

Now in the final stages of his recovery, Borralho says he is already back to training at nearly full capacity and expects to begin a new fight camp within the next few weeks. The Brazilian has his eyes set on UFC 334 in November.

"I think I'm around 90 to 95 percent, but I'm full training right now," Borralho told MMA Fighting. "I'm doing everything, doing grappling, wrestling, striking and everything. I think a day for me to start a camp will be like in three, four weeks, and I want to fight in MSG, so this is the perfect date for me."

Caio Borralho Remains Open to Joe Pyfer Matchup

Borralho is also interested in returning against a top-10 opponent and has not ruled out rescheduling his matchup with Pyfer. The American defeated former UFC champion Israel Adesanya by TKO in March and now sits at No. 4 in the division. Borralho believes the matchup still makes sense and expects the two to eventually share the Octagon.

"I think it was a great match-up against Joe Pyfer, he was one of the top guys in the world," Borralho said. "I think it will be a great fight with him. I think we're going to do this fight sooner or later, but I needed to pull out and do surgery and all this stuff. But I feel ready already. I feel that I'm getting the best shape of my life right now."

Caio Borralho Wants Top-10 Opponent

For now, however, Borralho is leaving his next opponent in the UFC's hands. After rebounding from his first UFC loss with a victory over de Ridder, the Brazilian believes he is one or two wins away from reaching the title picture. Borralho also expects his next fight to reflect his position in the division.

"I'm just waiting for the UFC to give him a name and then we're going to accept right away, doesn't matter who," Borralho said. "I just need to make sense for me, for the company, and for the division. I had like seven straight wins and then I lost. Now I have a good win against de Ridder, that did very good last weekend . I think one or two more on the way to the belt. I'm just waiting for the name."

Back in full training and targeting a November return, Borralho is now waiting for the UFC to determine his next opponent. A top-10 matchup at UFC 334 would give him the opportunity to build on his win over de Ridder and move one step closer to the title shot.