Cannonier vs. Borralho pick, odds, time: UFC on ESPN 62

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom takes a better have a look at UFC on ESPN 62’s fundamental occasion: Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho

UFC on ESPN 62 (ESPN/ESPN+) takes place Saturday on the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Jared Cannonier UFC on ESPN 62 preview

Staple data:

File: (17-7 MMA, 10-7 UFC)
Peak: 5’11” Age: 40 Weight: 185 lbs. Attain: 77.5″
Final struggle: TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov (June 8, 2024)
Camp: MMA Lab (Arizona)
Stance/hanging fashion: Change-stance/kickboxing
Threat administration: Good

Supplemental data:+ Regional MMA titles+ 10 KO victories+ 2 submission wins+ 7 first-round finishes+ KO energy+ Improved capability to counter^ Harmful hooks and uppercuts+ Laborious leg kicks^ From each stances+ Sturdy contained in the clinch+ Serviceable wrestling capability^ Defensively and offensively+ Exhibits improved getups/scrambles+ Works nicely from topside^ Heavy ground-and-pound+/- 4-2 reverse UFC-level southpaws

Caio Borralho UFC on ESPN 62 preview

Staple data:

File: (16-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC)
Peak: 6’1″ Age: 31 Weight: 185 lbs. Attain: 75″
Final struggle: Knockout win over Paul Craig (Could 4, 2024)
Camp: Combating Nerds (Brazil)
Stance/hanging fashion: Southpaw/muay Thai
Threat administration: Good

Supplemental data:+ Regional MMA title+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt+ Judo brown belt^ A number of judo accolades+ Muay Thai brown belt+ 4 KO victories+ 4 submission wins+ 6 first-round finishes+ Good feinting presence+ Sneaky lead hand+ Laborious southpaw kicks and crosses^ Assaults all three ranges+ Stable takedown capability^ Contained in the clinch or pictures within the open+ Stable transitional grappling^ Works nicely to and from the again

Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho focal point: Middleweight mashup

Nov 4, 2023; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Caio Borralho (pink gloves) and Abus Magomedov (blue gloves) struggle throughout UFC Struggle Night time at Ibirapuera Area. Necessary Credit score: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports activities

The primary occasion on ESPN options yet one more middleweight matchup within the UFC’s Apex.

Steadily growing a hard-hitting recreation since stepping onto the UFC scene, Jared Cannonier has made marked enhancements underneath the care of John Crouch and the remainder of the teaching employees at The MMA Lab. Now, transferring far more easily, Cannonier can shift his stance pre or post-combination, punctuating his presence extra successfully than earlier than.

Usually using stress to create openings for offense, Cannonier retains laborious pictures on a hair set off, prepared to return ahead or counter on the drop of a dime. The 13-year professional has additionally seemingly picked up his stablemate’s knack for throwing the calf kick (or low leg kicks), exhibiting the power to assault his opponent’s decrease extremities from each stances.

Nonetheless, Cannonier continues to be not past being kicked or countered himself, so I’ll be curious to see how he approaches somebody like Caio Borralho.

A transformed southpaw who fights out of the considerably nonetheless unheralded Combating Nerds staff, Borralho has been efficiently studying on the job throughout his undefeated run contained in the octagon.

Though his recreation initially smacked of a poor man’s Conor McGregor impression on the ft, Borralho has steadily been including layers to his hanging – particularly on the subject of his lead hand. Borralho possesses the usual assaults from the southpaw energy facet, however does a quiet quantity of his work off of his lead as a naturally right-handed fighter.

Taking part in significantly nicely off of his feints, Borralho, akin to his opposition, wields a sneaky proper hook that’s used each coming ahead and off the counter. Borralho has additionally been neatly incorporating extra jabs into his repertoire, which ought to turn out to be useful reverse Cannonier.

Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho breakdown: Potential grappling threats

Feb 12, 2022; Houston, Texas, UNITED STATES; Jared Cannonier (pink gloves) fights Derek Brunson (Blue Gloves) throughout UFC 271 at Toyota Middle. Necessary Credit score: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports activities

Contemplating that each events are harmful in their very own manner from topside, nobody must be shocked if this social gathering hits the ground this Saturday.

Because the statistics would counsel, Borralho is the extra probably man to search for takedowns on this struggle.

An accoladed judoka who transitioned into Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA, Borralho demonstrates a deceptively versatile takedown recreation. Regardless that Borralho may do a greater job of establishing his pictures with strikes, the 31-year-old instructions an athletic level-changing double that may be utilized offensively or as a reactionary counter within the open.

When working from the clinch, Borralho seems to be competent with every little thing from journeys to shuck-bys from the bodylock. That mentioned, Cannonier, a minimum of at 185 kilos, has confirmed that he’s not simple to manage.

From Cannonier’s improved capability to defensively scramble to the slugging pictures that he sneaks in mid-transition, the 40-year-old has come a good distance from the sunshine heavyweight who was vulnerable to taking part in guard when taken down. And when Cannonier is the one who finally ends up on topside, the “Killa Gorilla” is fast to unleash hell from above within the type of unforgiving ground-and-pound.

Borralho is a stable transitional grappler from topside (significantly when working in opposition to the fence), however he’ll have to reveal improved urgency ought to he find yourself beneath Cannonier.

Regardless of being a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Borralho has proven to be a bit too content material to attend for submission or stand-up alternatives off of his again. That mentioned, if Borralho can create scrambling situations from both facet of the equation, then he may discover some key back-taking alternatives reverse the getup fashion of Cannonier.

Regardless that Cannonier works with a wonderful coach and camp that ingrains stable getup techniques, the overall course of tends to contain a little bit of again publicity – which might be harmful when paired up with a savvy backpacker like Borralho.

Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho odds

The oddsmakers and the general public are favoring the Brazilian, itemizing Borralho -250 and Cannonier +200 by way of FanDuel.

Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho prediction, choose

Nov 4, 2023; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Caio Borralho (pink gloves) reacts after defeating Abus Magomedov (not pictured) throughout UFC Struggle Night time at Ibirapuera Area. Necessary Credit score: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports activities

Though the oddsmakers opened this struggle a bit nearer, MMA gamblers are doing their normal factor with regard to getting tumescent over the considered fading an getting older fighter.

I can’t say I agree with the width of the present unfold above, however I don’t disagree with who’s favored to win this struggle.

Regardless that a part of me needs to fall into my normal lure of fading the general public hype by selecting the extra confirmed product at a reduced worth, I see some potent stylistic openings that Borralho may discover on this struggle.

Cannonier might technically have a successful file reverse UFC-level southpaws at 4-2, however the MMA Lab product – outdoors of a controversial stoppage to Nassourdine Imavov and a few knockdowns to former champions like Robert Whittaker and Jan Blachowicz – has sustained nearly all of his stoppage losses and knockdowns to southpaw fighters.

Actually, when wanting again via Cannonier’s catalog, southpaw counters and fighters who may jab from both stance have historically been stylistic kryptonite for “The Killa Gorilla.”

Though Borralho operating into the wall that’s Cannonier and finally imploding down the stretch is an consequence that’s completely on the desk, I can’t assist however see the Brazilian’s improved lead hand and counters having some critical play this Saturday. Add in the truth that Cannonier is coming off a fast, 2-month turnaround off of being wobbled in his final bout, and I odor of a club-and-sub for Borralho that comes off of a proper hook in Spherical 2.

Prediction: Borralho inside the space

Jared Cannonier vs. Caio Borralho begin time, the place to look at

As the primary occasion, Cannonier and Borralho are anticipated to make their walks to the octagon at roughly 12:30 a.m. ET. The struggle airs stay on ESPN and streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view.