Viacheslav Borshchev returns to the Octagon at UFC 322 on Saturday night, looking to reassert his place among the lightweight division’s most dangerous strikers when he meets Brazilian up-and-comer Matheus Camilo in a matchup built for fireworks.
Borshchev (8-6-1) entered UFC 322 in desperate need of a win, looking to avoid a three-fight skid after back-to-back losses to Tom Nolan and Terrance McKinney. Saturday night, he aimed to right the ship against rising prospect Matheus Camilo and reclaim some momentum in the lightweight division.
Camilo (9-3) entered UFC 322 for his second trip to the Octagon, coming off an impressive UFC debut in May where he submitted Gabe Green.
Round 1 – Borshchev immediately claimed the center of the Octagon, pressuring Camilo with steady forward movement and well-timed leg kicks. He cut off the cage effectively, keeping Camilo in front of him rather than chasing, and used those kicks to control the range and pace.
Camilo mixed in stance switches to try and disrupt Borshchev’s rhythm, but they had little effect. The round was all Borshchev, who punctuated it with a clean takedown and some firm control on the ground to close the frame.
Round 2 – Camilo opened the round with pressure, backing Borshchev up on the feet before securing a quick takedown and taking his back. Borshchev turned to his side to escape, but Camilo transitioned to mount and began setting up an arm-triangle choke.
From the top, Camilo mixed in steady ground-and-pound with punches and elbows while Borshchev tried to work free but absorbed damage in the process.
Borshchev eventually scrambled back to his feet and returned to his striking, but Camilo took him down again with little resistance, forcing the Russian to turtle and defend. Borshchev got up once more and went right back to landing shots on Camilo.
Clearly behind in the round, Borshchev dug hard to the body with heavy hooks. Camilo connected with a right hand, but Borshchev answered with a body shot followed by a right upstairs. As Camilo began to fatigue, Borshchev poured on the pressure and took over the exchanges until the horn.
Round 3 – Borshchev returned to his pressure-heavy style, sensing Camilo was fading. For every single strike Camilo threw, Borshchev answered with combinations. Camilo did land a hard right hand followed by a leg kick that briefly stunned Borshchev, but it caused little real damage. He then shot for a takedown, only for Borshchev to stuff it with ease, his first successful defense of the fight amid rumors of a compromised knee.
Borshchev continued to control the pace until Camilo cracked him with another heavy right that visibly rocked the Russian, though he masked it well. With Camilo exhausted, the moment passed without a finish.
Inside the final 90 seconds, Camilo secured a takedown and worked to take the back, but Borshchev reversed the position and ended up on top. He allowed Camilo to stand and returned to striking range. Feeling the round slipping away, Camilo swung big in the final 30 seconds, but the fight closed with both men trading on the feet.
Official Result: Matheus Camilo def. Viacheslav Borshchev via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
