SÃO PAULO — Michal Oleksiejczuk, who was previously defeated by Caio Borralho in April 2023, is now training with him at Fighting Nerds in Brazil. Borralho`s victory over Oleksiejczuk was his fourth UFC win out of seven, contributing to his rise in the middleweight division. Now, Oleksiejczuk has traveled to Brazil to train with his former opponent at Fighting Nerds, aiming to overcome his recent losses.
Oleksiejczuk has suffered defeats in his last three UFC fights against Michel Pereira, Kevin Holland, and Shara Magomedov, bringing his UFC record to 7 wins, 7 losses, and one no-contest. Seeking a change, he contacted Borralho to train at the highly regarded Fighting Nerds team in Sao Paulo. This move comes as he prepares for his UFC 314 fight against Sedriques Dumas in Miami.
“After our fight a while back, Caio reached out to me, and we became friends,” Oleksiejczuk explained. “I`ve observed fighters from Fighting Nerds competing in the UFC and noticed their unique and effective striking style, which I believe will benefit me greatly. I decided I needed to train at Fighting Nerds with Caio and the other fighters to enhance my skills.”
Fighting Nerds, led by Pablo Sucupira and Flavio Alvaro, was recognized as the top MMA team in 2024, following the successful UFC careers of Borralho, Jean Silva, Carlos Prates, and Mauricio Ruffy. Oleksiejczuk, a seasoned MMA veteran with nearly 30 professional fights, feels like a transformed fighter in this new training environment.
“Joining Fighting Nerds is an excellent decision for me because of the many talented fighters here,” Oleksiejczuk stated. “I have numerous sparring partners who are helping me prepare, and I feel like a more complete fighter now. My jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and striking have all improved. I am ready for a challenging fight, ready for a war.”
He added, “Fighting Nerds is a comprehensive MMA gym. They don’t focus on just wrestling, grappling, or striking; they train all aspects of MMA at a high level.”
Oleksiejczuk is set to face Dumas at UFC 314. Dumas, based in Florida, has a UFC record of three wins and two losses. His last fight was a victory against Denis Tiuliulin. Oleksiejczuk acknowledges Dumas’s capabilities.
“This fight is very important to me,” Oleksiejczuk said. “Sedriques Dumas is a formidable opponent. I am excited for this fight. I am in the best shape and have the best skills of my career. My preparation has been excellent. I anticipate this will be a great fight for the fans.”
Regarding Borralho, whom he fought in 2023 and who has since secured impressive wins against Abus Magomedov, Paul Craig, and Jared Cannonier, Oleksiejczuk believes Borralho is destined for UFC championship gold.
“I believe Caio has the potential to become champion soon,” Oleksiejczuk remarked. “Watching Caio during sparring and training, I am convinced he will be champion. He is a very intelligent fighter with excellent striking and is a well-rounded athlete.”
