After losing the chance to become middleweight champion (up to 83,9kg) after being defeated by Israel adesanya, Paulo borrachinha returned to the news for failing to reach the weight of his division and, even more heavily, he suffered a new setback for Marvin vettori in the unanimous decision of the judges, in October this year.
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In a post-event press conference, Dana White suggested that the Brazilian could move to light heavyweight (93kg.) and, now, his compatriot André Sergipano agrees with the narrative. In an exclusive interview with the SUPER FIGHTS, the athlete stated that Paulo borrachinha demonstrated that it can be successful, if it decides to migrate to the division led by Glover Teixeira.
“He demonstrated that he has the knockout power and conditioning to do five rounds at 93kg. (light heavyweight). I believe that in the top category he may have more chances. If you look at the top of the division, two or three athletes are under 30. Glover is a great champion, but he is of a certain age. Blachowich is the same thing. He can try to do that. Some tried and failed, but the way he plays, he might fit. And in one or two wins he could already be on the belt,” said Sergipano.
It does not stop there. Despite, coincidentally, also appearing on the middleweight squad, André believes that few fighters have the 'knockout power' to knock out Paulo. Furthermore, he believes that his compatriot could suffer damage in the future by continuing to make high weight cuts.
“In the middleweight division, I see few athletes with the knockout power to knock out (Paulo) Borrachinha. He proved in the last fight that he has heart, gas, can withstand blows, but struggles a lot to make weight. And speaking of health, you take a toll – sooner or later – at some point your body will take its toll. We know it’s a very big risk”, concluded the fighter.
Currently, André Sergipano is on a streak of eight consecutive victories in his career and occupies 13th place in the middleweight category (up to 83,9kg). Paulo borrachinha, in turn, is in fifth place, behind Robert whittaker, Marvin vettori, Jared Cannonier e Derek Brunson. The division champion is Israel adesanya.
