Francisco Trinaldo

Francisco Trinaldo is a professional mixed martial artist from Brazil who has been competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) since 2012. He currently competes in the lightweight division and holds an impressive overall record of 25-7 with sixteen wins by knockout and seven wins by submission.

Born Francisco de Assis Franca on April 28, 1977 in Sao Luis, Maranhao, Brazil, Trinaldo studied judo as a young boy before transitioning to Brazilian jiu-jitsu at fifteen years old. By 2003 he began his MMA career and won his first fight via guillotine choke in just over two minutes. After going undefeated for four fights, he suffered his first loss to future UFC fighter Evan Dunham at XFC 2: High Stakes in 2007. From that point forward however he would go on to win eleven out of twelve fights while competing in several promotions including Bitetti Combat and Jungle Fight before signing with the UFC in 2012.

In his UFC debut against fellow countryman Delson Heleno at The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale, Trinaldo earned “Fight of the Night” honors after taking home a unanimous decision victory over three grueling rounds that went back-and-forth multiple times throughout their bout. Since then he has gone 8-4 during appearances inside the octagon while facing off against some big name opponents like Michael Johnson and former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos among others along the way as well as earning five post fight bonuses throughout his nine year tenure so far with organization; four for “Fight of The Night” performance (vs Delson Heleno – 2012; vs Mike Rio – 2014; vs Paul Felder – 2017 & Yancy Medeiros – 2021) plus one for “Performance Of The Night” accolades due to him submitting Gleison Tibau via rear naked choke back 2016’s Fight Night 98 event).

Most recently though Trinalho faced off against John Makdessi at UFC 231 last December where he earned yet another hard fought unanimous decision victory which marked it was ninth win within last ten outings overall making him one of longest tenured members Dana White’s roster today where more than likely we will continue witness high octane wars between himself other top contenders within 155 lbs weight class moving forward into 2020 beyond!