Raffael Cerqueira
The Lion
Brazil
Quickly overwhelmed in Qatar
Cerqueira lost to Abdulrakhman Yakhyaev via submission (rear-naked choke) at 0:33 of Round 1 at UFC Qatar on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Cerqueira was thoroughly overwhelmed as the biggest betting underdog on the entire card, and while he worked his way through a couple of big head kicks early, it was far from enough to prolong the inevitable. To make matters worse, Cerqueira didn't land a single significant strike in the short bout. The loser of four in a row, and three via first-round finish, it appears Cerqueira's time with the company may have reached its end.
Cerqueira was thoroughly overwhelmed as the biggest betting underdog on the entire card, and while he worked his way through a couple of big head kicks early, it was far from enough to prolong the inevitable. To make matters worse, Cerqueira didn't land a single significant strike in the short bout. The loser of four in a row, and three via first-round finish, it appears Cerqueira's time with the company may have reached its end.
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Draws newcomer in Qatar
Cerqueira will take on Abdulrakhman Yakhyaev in a light heavyweight matchup at UFC Qatar on Nov. 23, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Cerqueira essentially has one last chance to save his roster spot after an 0-3 start to his UFC tenure, but the company isn't making it easy. He'll head overseas for a matchup against an electrifying prospect in Yakhyaev, an undefeated fighter who earned his contract with a 30-second finish on the Contender Series. The hype behind Yakhyaev, as well as Cerqueira's results to date, likely indicate that the latter will enter as a betting underdog.
Cerqueira essentially has one last chance to save his roster spot after an 0-3 start to his UFC tenure, but the company isn't making it easy. He'll head overseas for a matchup against an electrifying prospect in Yakhyaev, an undefeated fighter who earned his contract with a 30-second finish on the Contender Series. The hype behind Yakhyaev, as well as Cerqueira's results to date, likely indicate that the latter will enter as a betting underdog.
Comeback attempt falls short
Cerqueira lost to Julius Walker via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26) at UFC Vegas 109 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Cerqueira was dominated for nearly the entirety of this fight, as he recorded just 19 significant strikes and was controlled for 11:46 of the 15-minute affair. Despite that, Cerqueira came out hot in Round 3 and had Walker in serious trouble. Walker got his wits back and countered with a takedown Cerqueira escaped from, but in a move showing poor Fight IQ, Cerqueira jumped guard in a guillotine attempt that had him on his back again shortly after. With both men exhausted at that point, Walker simply rode him out from there. Now winless in all three UFC fights and over the age of 35, the company could easily decide to cut bait.
Cerqueira was dominated for nearly the entirety of this fight, as he recorded just 19 significant strikes and was controlled for 11:46 of the 15-minute affair. Despite that, Cerqueira came out hot in Round 3 and had Walker in serious trouble. Walker got his wits back and countered with a takedown Cerqueira escaped from, but in a move showing poor Fight IQ, Cerqueira jumped guard in a guillotine attempt that had him on his back again shortly after. With both men exhausted at that point, Walker simply rode him out from there. Now winless in all three UFC fights and over the age of 35, the company could easily decide to cut bait.
Gets next chance for win
Cerqueira will match up against Julius Walker at UFC Vegas 109 on Aug. 9, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Cerqueira will get his third shot at a win in the UFC after sporting an 0-2 record through his first two matchups. The Brazilian light heavyweight has a lot more experience as a 34-year-old fighter and an 11-2 professional fighting record over the 25-year-old Walker who has a 6-1 pro record.
Cerqueira will get his third shot at a win in the UFC after sporting an 0-2 record through his first two matchups. The Brazilian light heavyweight has a lot more experience as a 34-year-old fighter and an 11-2 professional fighting record over the 25-year-old Walker who has a 6-1 pro record.
Still searching for first UFC win
Cerqueira lost to Modestas Bukauskas via KO (punches) at 2:12 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Seattle.
ANALYSIS
Cerqueira has now fought twice for the UFC, lasting a shade over three minutes combined between both bouts and suffering a pair of knockout losses in the process. He had no issues with durability on the Brazilian regional scene before arriving in the company, but he simply hasn't been able to compete at this level. One massive Bukauskas hit sent him stumbling to the mat. The finish came seconds later. Most newcomers to the UFC are given three fights to show their worth, but Cerqueira may not get that opportunity.
Cerqueira has now fought twice for the UFC, lasting a shade over three minutes combined between both bouts and suffering a pair of knockout losses in the process. He had no issues with durability on the Brazilian regional scene before arriving in the company, but he simply hasn't been able to compete at this level. One massive Bukauskas hit sent him stumbling to the mat. The finish came seconds later. Most newcomers to the UFC are given three fights to show their worth, but Cerqueira may not get that opportunity.
Gets rebound opportunity
Cerqueira will take on Modestas Bukauskas in a light heavyweight matchup at UFC Seattle on Feb. 22, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Despite entering the UFC with a spotless record as one of South America's most highly-respected fighters on the regional scene, Cerqueira's debut didn't go as planned. In fact, it was one of the worst possible outcomes, as he was finished by Ibo Aslan via TKO in less than a minute. He'll now look to bounce back against Bukauskas, a fighter who only competed once in 2024 but has won three of his last four overall.
Despite entering the UFC with a spotless record as one of South America's most highly-respected fighters on the regional scene, Cerqueira's debut didn't go as planned. In fact, it was one of the worst possible outcomes, as he was finished by Ibo Aslan via TKO in less than a minute. He'll now look to bounce back against Bukauskas, a fighter who only competed once in 2024 but has won three of his last four overall.