Caio Borralho vs. Reinier de Ridder prediction, odds, pick for UFC 326

We’re back with one other betting prediction and pick as UFC 326 draws to a detailed with this Co-Fundamental Event highlighting the Middleweight (185) Division. Brazil’s No. 7-ranked Caio Borralho will tackle Holland’s No. 8 Reinier de Ridder in what might be an easy classic. Check our UFC odds series for the Borralho-de Ridder prediction and pick.

Caio Borralho (17-2) has gone a powerful 7-1 contained in the UFC since 2022. An OG talent of Dana White’s Contender Series, his seven-fight unbeaten streak was snapped his last day out against Nassourdine Imavov as he tries to bounce back against one other rising contender. Borralho stands 6-foot-1 with a 75-inch reach.

Reinier de Ridder (21-3) is 4-1 contained in the UFC since 2024. After landing on the scene with four-straight wins over the likes of Bo Nickal and Robert Whittaker, de Ridder can be trying to rebound after retiring in his last fight against Brendan Allen. He stands 6-foot-4 with a 78-inch reach.

UFC 326 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings. 

UFC 326 Odds: Caio Borralho-Reinier de Ridder Odds

Caio Borralho: -278

Reinier de Ridder: +225

Over 2.5 rounds: -195

Under 2.5 rounds: +150

Stream UFC 326 survive Saturday, March 7, at 9PM ET on Paramount+. Subscribe now! 

Why Caio Borralho Will Win

• Last Fight: (L) Nassourdine Imavov – U DEC
• Last 5: 4-1
• Finishes: 5 KO/TKO, 4 SUB

While Borralho lost his last fight in a unanimous decision on the scorecards, the bout was extremely close as the primary round might have been scored for either fighter. Borralho and Imamov actually landed the identical amount of great strikes (89), however it was Borralho’s five unsuccessful takedown attempts that might have swayed the optics within the fight. Either way, it must be a win that Borralho desires to get back on his record, so expect an especially focused and determined version of him on Saturday.

Borralho has really turned himself into a whole fighter along with his striking, but we have seen him struggle in that realm against opponents who’re taller or outreach him. Typically, it’s where he’s only in leaning on his jiu-jitsu, but he’ll be coping with one other Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, so expect a more cautious approach out of Borralho when going to the bottom.

Borralho’s training with the Fighting Nerds will definitely aid him on this fight, but he’ll have to be perfect along with his wrestling entries to make sure positive position if he’s in a position to bring de Ridder down. His takedown efforts will definitely need to enhance because it spelled the difference for him last day out, so expect a refreshed game plan out of Borralho’s coaches as they struggle to resolve the matchup.

Why Reinier de Ridder Will Win

• Last Fight: (L) Brendan Allen – TKO (retirement, R4)
• Last 5: 4-1
• Finishes: 4 KO/TKO, 14 SUB

Reinier de Ridder appeared to be on the fast track to a middleweight title shot following his impressive wins over top prospect Bo Nickal and former champion Robert Whittaker. Nonetheless, he caught Brendan Allen on the flawed night as he was seriously damaged over 4 rounds of motion. It was de Ridder’s first time within the fourth round and following five minutes of ground-and-pound from Allen, he was unable to get back to his stool after the horn. We’ll see if he’s way more disciplined in absorbing damage this time around.

Reinier de Ridder has the entire skill set to turn into champion at some point as he’s reached the very best level of proficiency in several martial arts. He’s a really tall striker and uses his kicking game to each create distance and damage the body. His physical frame is an edge over most opponents and he’s lethal with elbows and knees when grabbing opponents within the Thai clinch.

Nonetheless, de Ridder’s last fight proved that he’s still working to enhance his cardio and he’ll must accomplish that if he plans to contend for the belt at some point. This three-round environment should prove advantageous for de Ridder as he should have the opportunity to open up and push his typical pace.

Final Caio Borralho-Reinier de Ridder Prediction & Pick

This shall be one other improbable fight as either side are matched up perfectly. Each fighters are two of the higher grapplers on this division and each are able to find the submission. Nonetheless, given the respect, their abilities could cancel out as we may even see a kickboxing fight on the feet.

Now we have to present a technical and physical advantage to de Ridder, however it’ll turn into clear that Borralho is far faster along with his movement and slipping out of range. It’ll be interesting to see how Borralho handles the heavier shots from de Ridder, but Borralho might be sneaky in taking the back and turning this fight quickly.

For our final prediction, we’ll roll with Caio Borralho to get this win. De Ridder was dominated on the bottom by Brendan Allen, but Borralho recently beat Allen in a grappling-only exhibition just last yr. Expect Borralho to have a big advantage on the bottom as he controls en path to a choice or late submission win.

Final Caio Borralho-Reinier de Ridder Prediction & Pick: Caio Borralho (-278); OVER 2.5 Rounds (-195)