In the world of mixed martial arts, fighters win fights by using any and every trick they have up their sleeves, adopting and adapting techniques from different martial arts disciplines.
While it might not seem evident at first, intelligence and success as a mixed martial artist go hand in hand. Fighters like Caio Borralho are proving that a combination of academic prowess and fighting skills can lead to significant success in the UFC.
The Fighting Nerds: Where Intelligence Meets Strength
Everything you need to know about The Fighting Nerds (in 4 minutes)
Fighting Nerds, formerly Combat Club Sao Paulo, was founded in 2014 by Caio Borralho and Pablo Sucupira in Brazil. The gym grew quietly, drawing in high-level minds like Demian Maia’s grappling coach Wagner Mota and veteran Flavio Alvaro, who joined after seeing the team’s vision firsthand. Moreover, Fighting Nerds now runs English classes, public speaking workshops, and strategy sessions.
However, the name was more than just a marketing gimmick. Borralho was a math tutor, while Sucupira worked in a marketing firm before quitting because his ideas were “too wild.” They embraced the term “nerd” and built a team rooted in intelligence, fight analysis, and technical skills.
The signature taped glasses are lens-less plastic props worn proudly by fighters and cornermen. “I think we just represent more people,” he said. “Because when you're talking about Fighting Nerds, you think, ‘Man, even if a nerd can be an MMA champion, I can do it, also.’ It's more human. I think a lot of people relate with the concept and it's something different. We always see the same thing; it’s always the bullies. So I think this time we are showing that the guys who were bullied can be the champions also."
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“I think the first reaction of a lot of people was, ‘What is that? They’re real fighters.’ But the first guy who said that's a good idea was Caio Borralho. That gave me strength because our top guy really liked the name, and he was a nerd. (Laughs) He was a chemistry teacher in the school, and he was really a nerd. And he fights like a nerd. So we are not telling a story that is not true. We really live this. We are truly nerds of the sport. We study more than the other guys, we are more calm, we are relaxed, and we are polite. So I think we are telling a story that we really live this.
At this point, Sucupira estimates that there are 50 to 60 fighters on the team, making time a valuable and scarce commodity. “Sometimes it's hard to believe, but man, I can only say I'm thankful for being surrounded by so many good people,” Sucupira said of the culture he’s created. “I'm blessed with that. It looks like everybody who is in contact with me is good people. Sometimes I have such a good energy with everybody that that's what they give me back. And with my team, I'm sure that I'm on the right path. I don't know if I'm at my peak or close to my peak, but I'm on the right path. So the only thing I have to do is do a hundred percent every time and I'm doing that. Time and God will say how long our team will go and how long and how many people we will be good for. The end is certainly not here.
In 2021, Borralho earned a UFC contract, opening the doors for other teammates to follow. Since then, rising challengers like Carlos Prates, Bruna Brasil, and Jean Silva have followed. The team won the Gym of the Year award at the World MMA Awards in 2024. Michal Oleksiejczuk teamed up with former opponent Caio Borralho at Fighting Nerds ahead of UFC 314. Borralho submitted Oleksiejczuk in 2023, but two years later, they’re training side by side at one of MMA’s fastest-rising gyms.
After that work is done in the gym in Sao Paulo, the squad has proven how good they are in the Octagon. In 2024 alone, the team saw Caio Borralho, Carlos Prates, Jean Silva and Mauricio Ruffy win, win and win some more. This week, Sucupira is in Sydney with surging Bruna Brasil, eager to prove that the good times are just starting. In short, it’s a good time to be a nerd, and all the success proves that this isn’t a gimmick.
“I think life is about expansion, so I'll never get tired of that,” he said. “I will always be trying to expand. And 2024 was the biggest expansion of my life. And the thing is, for the first time in my life, I'm starting a year that people are expecting more from me. Everybody is expecting so many big things from The Fighting Nerds. They are saying that we are the future of MMA, and I agree with that. I can take that pressure and, more than that, I know that it's time for the team to have a UFC belt, so we won't run away from that pressure, and we are getting ready for that. I think the belt is not gained in a fight; it's a whole process. Caio Borralho is ready to take that road. I think he's one or two fights away from that and he knows that. Caio was talking since his first fight in the Contender Series that he will be a champion in 2025. So he's saying that this year he would be a champion since 2021. We've been planning for that, and we've been preparing ourselves to be here.
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Jean Silva submitted Bryce Mitchell at UFC 314 with a ninja choke at 3:52 of Round 2, picking up another dominant win for his team, the Fighting Nerds. Mitchell started strong, but Silva stayed composed, ending the first round with several submission threats.
Caio Borralho: The King of the Nerds
While fighters utilize all sorts of different methods to win their fights, Caio Borralho, undeniably has one of the most unique, taking advantage of his supreme intelligence to get the job done. The Brazilian brawler doesn’t have a pre-fight ritual, or anything of the sort, instead he uses his knowledge of mathematics, to ensure he has the best possible chance of getting his hand raised.
While many UFC stars today, spent their childhoods dreaming of emulating combat sports icons like Royce Gracie and Randy Couture, Caio Borralho looked up to his grandad-a maths teacher. At the age of 15, the future fighter began tutoring the subject himself and later went to university to study chemistry. However, despite academia having cemented a special place in his heart, when he stumbled across MMA at 18, he fell in love and decided to dedicate his life to the craft.
With a background in judo, Borralho quickly excelled, adding muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu to his game, en route to becoming a formidable competitor. The 31-year-old has carved out an impressive career for himself. With tremendous grappling skills, heavy hands, a record of 16-1 (1) and a ranking of #12 in the middleweight division, the sportsman could have what it takes to go all the way.
What really separates the fighter from the pack, is unlike most, the man known as ‘The King of the Nerds’, due to his love of superhero films, video games and chess, doesn’t rely on ruthless aggression to win his bouts. Taking advantage of his academic background, the gifted operator prepares in a very different manner to most.
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During an episode of UFC Connected, he explained: “Fighting IQ is the most important thing in fighting. It’s kind of a scientific approach. I was a math teacher and a chemistry teacher. The same methods I used to study math and chemistry, I use when I’m studying fighting.”
Training out of ‘Fighting Nerds’, Borralho is part of a new wave of mixed martial artists, using the power of their minds to think their way to victory. His head coach, Pablo Sucupira, said: “We prefer to use our intelligence rather than brawl. We prefer reason over emotion. This is fight IQ.” He picked up his spectacles and continued: “These glasses here symbolize a lot of what we’re talking about. They symbolize intelligence and strength. When we wear these glasses, we say that it gives us more willpower to get things done.” He later added: “I envision us going beyond what anyone thought possible for an MMA team. To make that happen, we have fighters who will become UFC champions.”
With so much momentum in Fighting Nerds, it’s no surprise that their star student is beginning to make a serious impact in the UFC. At UFC 301, in front of 14,514 roaring spectators at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Borralho took on the toughest test of his career in the form of Paul Craig. Blessed with a terrifying ground game, and a plethora of high-level wins to his name, the Scotsman set foot in the cage with the intention of putting the crowd favorite in his place.
Other High-IQ Fighters in MMA History
While Caio Borralho and the Fighting Nerds are at the forefront of a new wave of intelligent fighters, several other MMA competitors have demonstrated exceptional fight IQ throughout the sport's history.
- Lyoto Machida: Machida was the first traditional martial artist to enjoy significant success in MMA. He added fantastic takedown defense to his skillset and black belt BJJ skills to go with it. Machida’s approach to striking is best described as a counter-striking approach. He uses a karate stance and often keeps his hands low. Machida came close to dethroning Jon Jones when the two collided at UFC 140. He connected with a straight that left Jones wobbled, but the round ended before Machida could finish him. Till today, Machida still has some of the most impressive knockouts in the sport’s history.
- Kazushi Sakuraba: Sakuraba did the impossible when few expected it. Nicknamed “The IQ Wrestler,” by hardcore MMA fans, Sakuraba also holds wins against every member of the Gracie family besides Ralek. Sakuraba has an intelligent approach to wrestling, mixing up his catch wrestling with his many submission locks. His unique wrestling skills, combined with his intricate knowledge of submissions, earned him the title “The Gracie Hunter.” He was skilled enough to avoid submissions, and he used his top control to score points.
- Jon Jones: Jones’ ability to stick to the game plan regardless of how stressful things get inside the cage is one of his biggest assets. Besides those two instances, Jones has been perfect inside the cage. The 33-year-old is currently working on a move to the heavyweight division, and he seems to be making the proper preparations for his heavyweight debut.
- Fedor Emelianenko: Dubbed the “Last Emperor,” Fedor Emelianenko’s name always comes up whenever the greatest MMA fighters in history are discussed. One of the biggest weapons Fedor used to dominate opponents was his ability to recognize their strengths and weaknesses. Fedor also used his natural calmness to intimidate his opponents. That was apparent during his memorable showdown against the late Kevin Randleman. Randleman completed one of the most devastating German suplexes in MMA history, but Fedor wasn’t fazed by it in the slightest.
- Georges St-Pierre: Putting GSP at the top of this list wasn’t difficult in any way. GSP has a methodic approach to MMA, and he was one of the first genuinely well-rounded fighters. GSP was good enough to strike with anyone, but he often took opponents down since that was the safest place to be. GSP was also intelligent enough to walk away from the sport when a stronger generation of challengers started coming after him, while his body started slowing down due to age. He returned to MMA in 2017 and defeated Michael Bisping, claiming the UFC’s Middleweight belt.
These fighters exemplify how intelligence, strategic thinking, and adaptability can lead to remarkable achievements in the world of mixed martial arts.