Two-time Dana White’s Contender Series winner Caio Borralho has his UFC debut set, and it’s coming in the form of a short-notice scrap.
Borralho (10-1) will replace Anthony Hernandez against Dustin Stoltzfus on the promotion’s December 18 Fight Night card. The Brazilian middleweight announced the news on social media, with Stoltzfus later confirming the booking.
Hernandez was reportedly forced off the card due to injury.
Both of Caio Borralho’s Contender Series appearances came in the recently concluded fifth season of the show. Borralho defeated Aaron Jeffery in week five of the show, winning the bout via unanimous decision. Despite the fight being a very spirited affair, and Borralho oozing personality, Dana White declined to sign the fighter.
Thankfully, he returned in week eight in October, this time at light heavyweight. Borralho finished Jessey Murray by TKO in that outing, and White finally pulled the trigger.
Stoltzfus (13-3) is also a Contender Series alumni, winning via a slam last year. He’s lost his first two assignments in the UFC proper, however, and could very well be fighting for his roster spot next month.
The UFC’s December 18 card is headlined by a heavyweight bout between Chris Daukaus and fan-favorite Derrick Lewis. The following bouts have been reported for the card to date:
Derrick Lewis vs. Chris Daukaus
Cub Swanson vs. Darren Elkins
Charles Jourdain vs. Andre Ewell
Justin Tafa vs. Harry Hunsucker
Amanda Lemos vs. Angela Hill
Don’Tale Mayes vs. Josh Parisian
Raphael Assunção vs. Ricky Simón
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Abusupiyan Magomedov
Matt Sayles vs. Jordan Leavitt
Raquel Pennington vs. Julia Avila
Raoni Barcelos vs. Trevin Jones
Sijara Eubanks vs. Melissa Gatto
Carlos Diego Ferreira vs. Mateusz Gamrot
Stephen Thompson vs. Belal Muhammad
Caio Borralho vs. Dustin Stoltzfus
