Rafael Cerqueira • Stats, Record and Fight History

BIO

FIGHTS

STATS

UFC HISTORY & CAREER

• UFC Fight Night(11/22/25) Cerqueira was submitted by Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev via rear-naked choke at :33 of the first round
• UFC on ESPN(8/9/25) Cerqueira lost a three round unanimous decision to Julius Walker
• UFC Fight Night(2/22/25) Cerqueira was knocked out by Modestas Bukauskas at 2:12 of the first round
• UFC 308(10/26/24) Cerqueira was stopped by Ibo Aslan via strikes at :51 of the first round

IMPORTANT FACTS

Pro since 2019

Eight wins by KO, two by submission (2 arm triangle)

Eight first-round finishes

Four wins in 77 seconds or less

Undefeated before arriving in the UFC (11-0) with 10 stoppages

On four-fight losing streak

Q & A

Q: When and why did you start training to fight?

ANSWER: I had my first amateur MMA fight, I liked it, and from then on I began to believe that I could use it to change my life. My teacher Tiago Jacare, from the CTJ team, started a partnership with the Galpao da Luta team, and today I represent both the CTJ and Galpao da Luta teams.

Q: What professional titles have you held?

ANSWER: Demo Fight 93 kg champion

Q: Any achievements in amateur combat sports?

ANSWER: 2-0 record in amateur MMA

Q: Any belts/rankings in grappling disciplines?

ANSWER: Multi-time champion in Jiu-Jitsu in Bahia

Q: Any belts/rankings in striking disciplines?

ANSWER: I fought in Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Muay Thai competitions when I was a teenager

Q: What was your toughest fight so far and why?

ANSWER: Against Fernando Filho in Qualify Combat, because it was the only fight to go the distance!

Q: Who is your favorite fighter and why?

ANSWER: Jon Jones, because he is a complete guy, with the use of knees and elbows, always being unpredictable. He is an athlete that I try to copy

Q: /What was your job before you started fighting?

ANSWER: I worked in sales, and had to travel a lot to other states, selling candy and many other things

Q: Origin of nickname:

ANSWER: Jailton Malhadinho started calling me by this name. At first I was not too fond of it and then it stuck

Q: Personal life/background:

ANSWER: I like to watch soccer and fights, and play video games. I'm a homebody! I have 2 children (a boy and a girl) and I currently live with my mother!

LOSS

Cerqueira

Yakhyaev

SUB Rear Naked Choke