Caio Borralho is the real deal.

The Brazilian picked up the biggest win of his career on Saturday night, defeating former title challenger Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision inside the UFC's Las Vegas Apex facility. It was his 16th win in a row, and it guarantees he'll get a big step up in competition next time out.

Borralho's fellow Brazilian Tabatha Ricci also won big on Saturday, defeating Angela Hill by unanimous decision in the co-main event. Like Borralho, she can expect a top-flight foe in her next appearance.

Ecuador's Michael Morales was the other truly big winner of the night. The 25-year-old improved his record to 17-0 with a first-round knockout win over the veteran Neil Magny—his first win over a ranked opponent. He can also expect a big step up when his next bout offer arrives.

Caio Borralho vs. Imavov-Allen Winner

Jared Cannonier was ranked No. 5 heading into Saturday's card, and Caio Borralho should land somewhere around that position when the rankings are updated this week.

From there, he'll only be a win or two away from a crack at champion Dricus Du Plessis. Unfortunately for him, there is a queue forming for a title shot.

The next opportunity is expected to go to former champ Sean Strickland. Beyond that, the winner of an October fight between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev is probably next in line. In other words, Borralho will definitely need to take another fight in the meantime.

The best option available in that situation is seemingly the winner of a September 28 fight between Nassourdine Imavov and Brendan Allen. The two top-10 contenders are both in reach of a title shot themselves, but even with a victory on September 28, will be behind the likes of Strickland, Whittaker and Chimaev in the race.

It only makes sense to watch the winner up with Borralho. By the time the fight is complete, the queue for a title shot will hopefully be shorter.

Jared Cannonier vs. Paulo Costa

Jared Cannonier has now lost back-to-back fights to Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho. He can expect a step down in competition next time out, but still has some exciting options in the middleweight Top 15. The best of the bunch is seemingly a fight with Brazil's Paulo Costa.

Costa, ranked No. 8 in the division, has been a contender for years, but is also riding two straight losses: to Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. Matching him up against Cannonier seems like the move. Both guys are aggressive and powerful strikers, so it should be an entertaining fight, and they were actually matched up in 2021 to no avail, so there's some unfinished business between them to be resolved.

It would make a great addition to a pay-per-view main card and could seemingly headline a Fight Night card in the Apex too.

Tabatha Ricci vs. Loopy Godinez II

Tabatha Ricci's win over Angela Hill was one of the biggest of her career, and it should give her a nice push upward from her No. 12 spot in the strawweight rankings. Unfortunately for her, most of the Top 10 is booked right now, so matchmakers will need to get creative when they're booking her next fight.

Our pick is a rematch with Mexican-Canadian Loopy Godinez. Godinez is riding back-to-back losses to Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba. Those losses put an end to a four-fight streak for Godinez—a streak that concluded with a split-decision win over Ricci.

Ordinarily, it would be better to wait a little longer before booking a rematch between these two, but their first fight was competitive enough that it's justifiable, and with Ricci on the rise, and Godinez struggling, it makes sense from a rankings perspective.

Michael Morales vs. Michael Page

Michael Morales passed the Neil Magny test on Saturday.

Magny, the UFC's No. 13-ranked welterweight heading into the event, has long been the guy you need to beat if you want to make the jump from prospect to legitimate contender. Morales didn't just pass the test, but did so with flying colours, knocking out his veteran foe in the first round.

The win will send the undefeated Ecuadorian into the top 15, where fights with the division's top dogs await.

Our pick for his next opponent is England's Michael "Venom" Page. Page, a former Bellator champ, is riding a close decision loss to Ian Garry, and will soon be looking for the chance to rebound. At No. 14, he's maybe not as big a step up as Morales deserves after knocking out Magny, but most of the welterweights in the top 15 are booked, and it's an incredible matchup on paper, as both fighters have a habit for flashy knockouts. Book it for a future pay-per-view, and get the bonus cheques ready.