Joe Pyfer’s March 2026 TKO of Israel Adesanya elevated the middleweight into title contention, but a planned August 2026 clash with Caio Borralho at UFC 330 fell through after Borralho required surgery for a rib injury sustained earlier in the year. That previously targeted matchup continues to anchor trader consensus around Borralho as the likeliest next opponent, given both fighters’ rankings proximity, stylistic appeal, and Borralho’s public interest in the bout once healthy. Dricus du Plessis sits second as the division’s top titleholder or leading contender, while Nassourdine Imavov, Anthony Hernandez, and Brendan Allen trail as other established 185-pound options with recent activity or stylistic relevance. No official announcement has emerged since the cancellation, leaving the market driven by historical targeting and current divisional standings.