Digital Social Hour #1870 – Caio Borralho Reveals Why Jon Jones Is the Most Complete Fighter Ever

Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Caio Borralho (UFC fighter, “The Fighting Nerd”)
Date: March 18, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode brings UFC middleweight Caio Borralho to the Digital Social Hour. Host Sean Kelly dives into Borralho’s journey from his early days in Brazil to UFC stardom, the culture of fighting, how injuries and setbacks shaped his mindset, and why he considers Jon Jones the most complete fighter in MMA history. The conversation is candid, personal, and packed with technical and philosophical insights about the fight game and the human spirit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fighter Weakness, Team Dynamics, and Training Culture

• Every Fighter Has a Weakness ([00:00], [04:03])
  • Caio asserts that no fighter is invincible: “Every person has a weakness, right? But it comes about fighting, for sure. Every fighter has a weakness.”
• Modern Fight Teams ([01:03])
  • Caio describes how large, diverse teams have become the norm: “Right now, we have, like, around almost 15 fighters from the UFC. We have, like, more 50 fighters from out of the UFC. Wow.”
• Team Training ([01:36], [01:53])
  • Training is split by weight class, but they intermingle: “We all work in the same room at least once in a day.”

2. Biggest Fight & Arena Atmosphere

• T-Mobile Arena Debut ([02:13])
  • Caio is excited for his first fight at T-Mobile Arena, describing the energy as “fucking loud.”
• Impact of Crowds ([02:45])
  • He prefers quieter venues for strategic fighting but welcomes the thrill of a large audience.

3. Nickname Origins: 'The Fighting Nerd' & 'The Natural'

• Roots of 'The Fighting Nerd' ([03:07])
  • Caio earned the nickname by being the first from his team (Fighting Nerds) to make it to the UFC.
• How 'The Natural' Stuck ([03:22])
  • “Anywhere is natural for me. Call me the Natural, and then stick with it, you know?”

4. Evolution of MMA & The GOAT Debate

• From Single-Discipline to Well-Rounded ([04:27])
  • The sport’s evolution: “Back in the days, start MMA, but they come from Muay Thai or Jiu Jitsu background…but right now people are studying MMA, doing MMA, so…the sport has developed a lot.”
• Why Jon Jones Is the Most Complete Fighter ([05:34]-[06:11])
  • “You said it all. Yeah, I think he’s the GOAT, you know, because he mastered everything. He’s very violent, very competitive…”

5. Rules, Injuries, and the Realities of Combat

• Danger of Specific Techniques ([06:43], [07:26])
  • Caio would change the 12-to-6 elbow rule: “Because this is a life changing punch, you know, it’s…dangerous.”
• What Hurts Most ([07:47])
  • Kicks stand out: “I think it was more a kick…Because I’m very aware of my defense…just go into the arms and kind of hurts.”
• Fighting Through Injury ([09:03])
  • “I broke a foot kicking a guy…training 10 days before my fight. No, I still managed to fight…I knocked the guy out in the first round.”

6. Why Caio Chose Fighting: Overcoming Fear and Proving Himself

• Origin Story ([10:00])
  • Feeling like a fearful kid, Caio took up fighting not for money, but self-proving:

    “I wanted to prove not only people, but myself that I could take it, you know, I could face adversities and go there and be courageous.” ([10:00]–[11:38])

7. Brazilian Fighting Culture & Upbringing

• Cultural Roots ([11:56]-[13:25])
  • Fighting is “in our DNA.” Many legendary fighters are motivated by tough backgrounds.
  • Shout out to his hardworking mother: “She always works her ass off to make me be in a good school, have a good education…”

8. Pursuing the UFC Dream: Sacrifice, Setbacks, and Success

• Setbacks on the Contender Series ([15:30]-[17:48])
  • Initially denied a UFC contract, he stayed in America on his own dime, waited for another chance, and seized it:

    “I told him, like, tell the guys from the UFC, I’m gonna get my purse from this fight…If there’s any fight that goes off…just call me. I wouldn’t leave this town without my contract.” ([16:09])

• Overcoming Surgeries and Maintaining Belief ([17:55])
  • Five surgeries slowed his career, but he never quit:

    “I dealt with a lot of injuries. So I had three surgeries on my shoulder, left shoulder, and two surgeries on my left knee…But I was always believing that I’m gonna make it happen.”

9. Career Stability, Money, and Building a Brand

• Fighter Economic Realities ([19:57]-[20:20])
  • UFC pay is good, but nothing like mainstream sports: “It’s not even compared to what these guys make.”
• Importance of Brand & Sponsorships ([20:20]-[20:55])
  • “We need to have a good brand, build a good brand and be a good person to represent other people’s brand.”
• Media Strategy ([20:55]-[21:31])
  • Investments in social media and content: “I have my sister that works with me. I have two camera guys editing and filming almost every day, my YouTube channel…”

10. Coping with Losses: Mental Fortitude and Learning

• First Career Losses as Turning Points ([21:31]-[23:20])
  • Losses led to focusing on striking through Muay Thai and boxing; led to a 10-year undefeated stretch.
• Adapting After Ending a Win Streak ([23:59])
  • “It affected me, but it affected me to a good thing…we adapted very well. Right now we’re more united than ever.”

11. Dealing with Adversity: Nightmarish Training Camps

• Challenges Before Title Opportunity ([25:05]-[27:44])
  • Weight cuts, traveling alone, lung infections, and overtraining led to a difficult loss. In hindsight, Caio wouldn’t repeat the same risk-laden choices.

12. Personal Life: Chess, Anime, and Fatherhood

• Chess & Anime ([28:07]-[29:39])
  • Admits not having much time for chess or anime now, but Naruto inspired him as a youth:

    “Naruto has a lot to teach you…resilience, believe in yourself and all this.” ([28:58])

• Money & Fame ([30:03]-[31:26])
  • Money made life more comfortable and stable, but hasn’t changed him: “I really don’t care…you leave this world with nothing.”
• Fatherhood’s Impact ([31:37]-[32:22])
  • “Best thing in the world…My son and my daughter made me a better man…because they mimic everything you do. They just want to be like you. You’re their superheroes.”

13. Would He Let His Kids Fight?

• Martial Arts for All, Fighting Not Required ([32:29]-[33:26])
  • “100% my kid goes to the gym…But to be a fighter: Only if he wants…It’s a tough life…not just physically but mentally.”

14. The Roots of Grit: Hard Upbringing and Combat Sports

• Challenging Childhoods Forge Fighters ([33:37]-[34:30])
  • “Trauma makes you tough,” but he hopes to minimize trauma for his kids and let them choose their own path.

15. Stability and Earnings in Fighting

• Lack of Security ([34:35]-[35:05])
  • “You don’t even know what’s going to happen…in the middle of the training, you can hurt yourself…If you tone your ACL…you’ll be one year out. How are you going to make money?”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Complexity of Being a Fighter:
  “You need to be training everything, not just like punching, kinking, but wrestling and defense and all that. So the injuries is kind of common.” ([00:00])
• On Jon Jones’ Greatness:
  “He mastered everything. He’s very violent, very competitive…that’s why he’s one of the greatest of all time.” – Caio ([05:54]-[06:11])
• On Overcoming Fear:
  “I wanted to prove…myself that I could take it…face adversities and go there and be courageous…” – Caio ([10:00])
• On Loss and Resilience:
  “My first loss…was the most important moment of my life…made me realize I needed to work on something.” ([21:36])
• On Parenting:
  “They mimic everything you do. They just want to be like you. You’re their superheroes…It changes everything.” ([32:05]-[32:22])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Team Dynamics & Training: [01:03]-[02:10]
• UFC Dreams & Setbacks: [15:30]-[17:48]
• The Jon Jones Debate & Rule Changes: [05:34]-[07:26]
• Adversity & Recovery from a Nightmare Camp: [25:05]-[27:44]
• Philosophy on Loss & Learning: [21:31]-[23:59]
• Cultural and Family Roots: [11:56]-[14:03]
• Brand Building & Media Strategy: [20:20]-[21:31]
• Personal Side: Anime, Chess, Fatherhood: [28:07]-[32:22]

Tone and Style

Throughout the episode, both Sean and Caio keep the energy authentic and insightful, alternating between technical fight talk, stories of struggle, and philosophical reflections on improvement and family. Caio’s passion for the sport—and for self-improvement—runs through every answer, revealing the thoughtful, driven mindset behind “The Fighting Nerd.”

Final Thoughts

Caio’s journey is a testament to grit, intelligence, and heart—whether discussing the science behind fight picks, the emotional cost of loss, or the joy and responsibility of fatherhood. The episode offers unique insight into what it takes not only to reach but to stay at MMA’s highest level, and why martial arts remains a powerful tool for personal transformation.

Full episode available on [YouTube and podcast platforms]. Caio Borralho can be found on Instagram and YouTube as @CaioBorralho.