Cannonier vs Borralho Betting Breakdown: UFC Vegas 96 Best Bets

Saturday’s UFC Vegas 96 isn’t as stacked as we’d like. Still, a middleweight main event clash between veteran slugger Jared Cannonier and rising prospect Caio Borralho presents an intriguing matchup for 185lbs post Dricus Du Plessis’ impressive title win over Israel Adesanya last time out.

The sportsbook betting odds are live; Cannonier and Borralho are days out from competing for top-10-ranking supremacy, so it only makes sense that I return with another full fight breakdown, including my predictions and best bets.

A top 15 middleweight fight AND the #TUF32 finale?!#UFCVegas96 is high stakes! 💥

[ LIVE on @ESPNPlus & @ESPN | 10pmPT/7pmET ] pic.twitter.com/qM4S29Ui6w

— UFC (@ufc) August 19, 2024

Cannonier vs Borralho Fight Information

• Date & Time: Saturday, August. 24, 2024 – 07:00 p.m. ET
• Location: UFC Apex, Las Vegas, NV
• How to Watch: UFC Fight Pass & ESPN+
• Main Event Bout: Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho
• Co-Main Event Bout: Angela Hill vs Tabatha Ricci
• Moneyline Probability: Cannonier – 69.2% (-225) Borralho – 35.1% (+185)

Cannonier vs Borralho Betting Preview

Caio “The Natural” Borralho: Fast-Track to the Top Rankings Via Talent

The Fighting Nerds out of Sao Paolo, Brazil, have been among the most talked about MMA gyms over the last twelve months. Led by Caio Borralho, alongside Carlos Prates and Jean Silva, have equally smashed through the opposition thus far. Unfortunately for their opponents, these nerds are geeking out hand-to-hand combat.

Since back-to-back Dana White’s Contender Series wins, Borralho, 31, has run through six midweight opponents with few mistakes. He’s dominated with a submission or KO/TKO stoppage if it hasn’t been a unanimous decision.

Ranked #12, Saturday will mark “The Natural’s” first main event and easily his toughest test to date. Despite this, he’s still a -225 betting favorite, and this proves how talented he is, as sheer talent and success have placed him on the edge of a top-10 ranking in just two years.

They’re not here to take part, They’re here to take over.

Fighting Nerds UFC record (Including DWCS)
Ciao Borralho 8-0
Carlos Prates 4-0
Jean Silva 4-0
Mauricio Ruffy 2-0
Bruna Brasil 3-2 #UFCVegas96 pic.twitter.com/0UDhcE5Y07

— DiaztwinsMMA (@DiaztwinsMMA) August 20, 2024

Jared “The Killa Gorilla” Cannonier: Age Isn’t Nothing but a Number

Four consecutive main events, that’s no problem for Jared Cannonier. The Texan brute is a former light heavyweight who dropped to 185lbs in 2018. Since then, he’s gone 7-3, with two of those three losses coming against former champions.

What’s most impressive about Cannonier is that he’s arguably fighting at the latter stage of his pro career, aged 40. Yet, he still delivers commendable performances, win or lose, versus the elite of the middleweight division.

Aaliyah once said, ‘Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number,’ and with nothing but top-10-ranked opponents on his resume for five straight years, “The Killa Gorilla” is the epitome of this.

“THERE’S YOUR STATEMENT MADE” ✅

Jared Cannonier makes the final walk of the night Saturday at #UFCVegas96! pic.twitter.com/fYYx6VBOhO

— UFC (@ufc) August 19, 2024

Borralho Taking Advice from Sean Strickland

Caio Borralho has been getting some sparring rounds in the gym with former champ Sean Strickland, and the Brazilian recently shared the advice he received from the man who once lost to Jared Cannonier:

“The best advice Sean gave me is you need to have a good corner that screams a lot,” Borralho told UFC news outlets. “Because in their fight, he punched a lot, Strickland. But other punches [from Cannonier] were slipper, and his corner was always screaming. So, maybe it got the judges the wrong way.”

Cannonier vs Borralho: The Tale of The Tape

Cannonier vs Borralho Skillset Breakdown

Borralho kick-started his UFC career with three consecutive unanimous decision wins and utilized a strong grappling base in said bouts. However, I’m not about to sugarcoat it; they weren’t the most entertaining fights to watch, and they damaged his stock. Since then, he’s submitted Michal Oleksiejczuk and completely abandoned his strong grappling offense in his two most recent wins.

Ok, I see you, Mr. Borralho… going toe-to-toe with Abus Magomedov (a striker) and Paul Craig and smashing the latter to earn a knockout win. He’s proving that he’s more than just a grappler and that entertaining bouts are possible, but I truly hope he doesn’t have a false sense of confidence ahead of this clash.

Cannonier will be the most dangerous striker Borralho has faced to date. Although I don’t expect the Brazilian to be completely outclassed, I want to see him take advantage of his best asset, and that’s smart game-planning with a high fight IQ.

#UFC | Who’s your pick to win this Middleweight bout? 🔥

▪️ Jared Cannonier ML +185
▪️ Caio Borralho ML -225

📲 BET NOW: https://t.co/MTqlpY9ror#UFCVegas96 | #GamblingX pic.twitter.com/stZHUkMDVz

— BetUS Sportsbook & Casino (@BetUS_Official) August 20, 2024

Cannonier’s only path to victory is through a striking battle, so the blueprint for Borralho seems obvious. Clinch, cage push, mix-up takedowns, and do what “The Killa Gorrila’s” past three opponents could do, and that’s take him down.

Regarding grappling, Borralho’s jiu-jitsu should be some of the best Cannonier has faced throughout his career. As far as a striking battle goes, a light-footed Nassourdine Imavov was able to avoid Cannonier’s somewhat flat-footed, head-hunting style, and Borralho has a similar striking approach, where movement has been his best defense and offense.

Undefeated and he plans on keeping it that way 😤@BorralhoCaio returns Saturday looking for his 7th straight victory in the UFC! #UFCVegas96 pic.twitter.com/UoUR9x8ueu

— UFC (@ufc) August 19, 2024

Cannonier vs Borralho Betting Trends

• Cannonier holds a 10-7 UFC record
• Borralho is unbeaten in the UFC with six straight wins
• Cannonier recently underwent MCL surgery
• Borralho is nine years younger than Cannonier

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How to Bet on Cannonier vs Borralho

Do I like -235 MMA odds? Not really, and to be completely honest, these prices in straight wagers are usually a stay-away for me personally. However, Borralho has displayed so much maturity, in-cage intelligence, and diversity since joining the roster that he can adapt to any situation and force the fight he requires to garner success.

I can genuinely envision Borralho winning this fight via knockout, submission, or decision, so I’m staying clear of the prop market in this main event. So, I’m happy to go against the grain this time and pay the juice on the outright moneyline bet.

Cannonier has been fighting the best of the best for some time, but he’s also competed against many top-ranked fighters who are close to or beyond their primes. Much like the Imavov bout, where he was knocked out earlier this year, he’ll be facing another young hotshot looking to make a statement, is injury-free, and has been actively winning.

Momentum, grappling, fight IQ, and a complete MMA skillset favor Borralho. The Brazilian has one job… don’t let Cannonier out-strike him. I anticipate his skill set can overcome such a straightforward opposing game plan, as “The Natural” walks out of Vegas with a name that’s newly entangled in the middleweight title picture.

Bet This Pick: Borralho Moneyline (-235)

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.

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