SÃO PAULO — In April 2023, Caio Borralho secured a rear-naked choke submission victory over Michal Oleksiejczuk, marking his fourth UFC win out of seven as he climbed the middleweight ranks. Now, two years later, Oleksiejczuk is seeking to end his recent losses by traveling to Brazil to train with his former opponent at Fighting Nerds.
After suffering defeats in his last three UFC bouts against Michel Pereira, Kevin Holland, and Shara Magomedov, Oleksiejczuk`s UFC record has fallen to 7 wins, 7 losses, and one no-contest. In a bid to revitalize his career, he contacted Borralho to arrange his training camp in Sao Paulo. He has now joined one of MMA`s most prominent teams as he prepares for his UFC 314 fight against Sedriques Dumas, scheduled for Saturday night in Miami.
“Some years back, I fought Caio, and after our fight, Caio reached out to me, and we became friends,” Oleksiejczuk explained. “Observing fighters who train at Fighting Nerds and compete in the UFC, I noticed they possess a distinct striking style that I believe is very beneficial for me. I thought, ‘I need to go to Fighting Nerds, I need to train with Caio and the other fighters.’ My skills have already improved.”
Under the guidance of Pablo Sucupira and Flavio Alvaro, Fighting Nerds earned recognition as the top MMA team in 2024, fueled by the impressive UFC ascensions of Borralho, Jean Silva, Carlos Prates, and Mauricio Ruffy. As the Polish veteran approaches his 30th professional MMA fight this Saturday, he feels like a transformed fighter.
“I believe joining Fighting Nerds is an excellent decision for me because they have many outstanding fighters here,” Oleksiejczuk stated. “I have numerous sparring partners who have been instrumental in my preparation, and I now feel like a more complete fighter. My jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and striking have all improved significantly. I am ready for a great fight. I am ready for a war.”
He further commented, “Fighting Nerds is a comprehensive MMA academy. It`s not just focused on wrestling, grappling, or striking; it encompasses all styles. The level of MMA training at Fighting Nerds is top-tier.”
Oleksiejczuk is set to face Dumas at UFC 314. Dumas, based in Florida, has achieved three wins in his five UFC appearances. In his most recent fight in August 2024, Dumas secured a victory against Denis Tiuliulin, and Oleksiejczuk acknowledges his opponent`s capabilities.
“This fight holds significant importance for me,” Oleksiejczuk emphasized. “Sedriques Dumas is a formidable fighter. I am very enthusiastic about this matchup. I am in the best shape and possess the best skills of my career right now, and my preparation has been optimal. I anticipate this fight will be exciting for the fans and everyone watching.”
Regarding Borralho, the fighter who submitted him in 2023 and has since defeated Abus Magomedov, Paul Craig, and Jared Cannonier within nine months, Oleksiejczuk predicts a bright future for him in the UFC.
“I think Caio has the potential to become champion, maybe this year or next,” Oleksiejczuk said. “Observing Caio during sparring and training here, I believe he will become champion. He is a very intelligent fighter with excellent striking and is a well-rounded competitor.”
Marcus Blakely