Rodrigo Nascimento

Rodrigo Nascimento (born November 26, 1992) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

As of February 20, 2024, he is #15 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.

Born in Belo Horizonte, Nascimento met his mentor, Everton Rabelo de Andrade, at a LAN party while playing video games.

Andrade taught kids and young adults martial arts in the city, and invited Nascimento to be part of the team.

In October 2010, the teenager entered his gym and started his MMA career.

Starting his professional career in 2012, two months after the death of his mentor, Nascimento got a perfect 8–0 record on the regional Brazilian scene, finishing his opponent in all eight bouts, 4 by submission and 2 by TKO.

Nascimento was invited to Dana White's Contender Series 22 and faced Michal Martinek on July 30, 2019.

He won the bout via arm triangle in the first round, gaining a UFC contract in the process.

Nascimento faced Don'Tale Mayes on May 16, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Harris.

He won the bout via second round rear naked choke.

Nascimento faced Chris Daukaus on October 11, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen.

He lost the bout via first minute KO.

Nascimento was scheduled to face Alan Baudot on May 22, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt.

However, after Baudot was injured, the bout was moved to UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés held on July 17, 2021.

Nascimento won the fight via technical knockout in round two.

This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

However, Nascimento’s urine test from the fight tested positive for ritalinic acid, a metabolite of psychostimulant drugs methylphenidate and ethylphenidate.

As a result, Nascimento received a six-month suspension, retroactive to the test.

He was also fined a total of $1,945.36, for the violation and subsequent legal fees.

The bout was also overturned to a no contest.

Nascimento was scheduled to face Tanner Boser on April 23, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 205.

However, Nascimento withdrew from the event for unknown reasons, and he was replaced by Alexander Romanov.

Nascimento was rebooked against Tanner Boser for September 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song.

Nascimento won the fight via split decision.

Nascimento faced Ilir Latifi on May 20, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 223.

He won the fight via split decision.

Nascimento faced Don'Tale Mayes in a rematch on November 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 231.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.