Who are The Fighting Nerds? All about Caio Borralho's gym with the goal of "bully payback"

The Fighting Nerds representative Caio Borralho successfully headlined their first UFC event at UFC Vegas 96. The team has quickly gained prominence in the UFC, with Borralho at the forefront. As one of the team's founding members, he has been instrumental in their success.

With the team gaining traction, let's take a closer look at who The Fighting Nerds actually are.

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Who are The Fighting Nerds?

The Fighting Nerds is a Sao Paulo-based MMA gym founded by Caio Borralho and Pablo Sucupira. The gym has quickly gained recognition for its unique name, its emphasis on intelligence and strategic fighting, and its rising stars like Borralho himself.

Borralho, initially a grappler with weak striking skills, sought out Sucupira, a Muay Thai competitor and boxing specialist, to improve his stand-up game. Sucupira's unconventional training methods and Borralho's dedication resulted in a strong bond and marked the beginning of the gym.

The name 'The Fighting Nerds' reflects the founders' backgrounds - Borralho enjoyed math and chemistry, and Sucupira previously worked a desk job. They embraced their perceived lack of "street cred" and turned it into a memorable brand.

"When you think about a nerd guy, you always see a guy who wants to be the best in the class room... the nerd, if he’s going into a test and he took a B+, he would be upset. Like, ‘I wanted my A+.’ …We have a big message to inspire people. We’ve seen a lot of bully things happening in the world. A lot of this sh*t happening, it’s bully payback time." [H/t: MMA Junkie]

The gym is known for its signature black-framed glasses, worn by fighters, coaches, and even cornermen. This symbol embodies the team's philosophy of intelligence and strategic thinking in fighting.

The gym's breakthrough came in 2021 when Borralho received an offer to compete on Dana White's Contender Series. Borralho's win on the show, followed by another impressive victory as a late replacement, secured him a UFC contract. Since then, several other Fighting Nerds fighters have joined the UFC roster, making a name for themselves with their unique style and impressive skills.

Today, the gym boasts a strong roster of fighters like Bruna Brasil, Jean Silva, Carlos Prates, and Mauricio Ruffy, all making their mark in the UFC.