Francisco Trinaldo

Francisco Trinaldo (Portuguese pronunciation: [fɾɐ̃ˈsisku tɾiˈnawdu]; born August 24, 1978) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.

Background

Trinaldo began with an amateur career, compiling a record of 6-1 in mixed martial arts. He is also a Brazilian Kickboxing champion, and began kickboxing when he was 23 years old before transitioning into mixed martial arts. Trinaldo is an ex-training partner of Paulo Thiago and Rani Yahya.

He spends most of his training time at the Evolução Thai, where he received large levels of hype, causing Sherdog.com to list him in August 2010 as their top prospect in MMA.

Trinaldo is regarded as being hampered by financial issues that prevent his rise further in the sport. Coming from a disadvantaged background, Trinaldo struggles and has been quoted as saying "Sometimes I can’t train because I don’t have money to catch a bus and go to the academy."

His nickname came from the character of the Brazilian TV show Casseta & Planeta Urgente played by the Brazilian comedian Cláudio Manoel named Massaranduba, who had his same quarrelsome attitude.

Early career

Trinaldo's professional career began in the Fight Club Tournament promotion, where he won his opening bout via unanimous decision. This was followed by a TKO due to corner stoppage.

Trinaldo then fought twice more, securing a submission victory via arm-triangle choke and another victory via TKO due to punches and soccer kicks after 12 seconds.

Bitetti Combat and Jungle Fight

Trinaldo's success continued when he joined Bitetti Combat in February 2010. Facing Luiz Firmino at Bitetti Combat 6, Trinaldo dominated, locking in a kneebar on his experienced opponent and forcing the tapout with ease.

Following this, Trinaldo joined the Jungle Fight Championship promotion and faced another experienced opponent in Flavio Alvaro. Late in the second round, Trinaldo secured a TKO victory due to punches, taking his professional record to 6-0.

Trinaldo suffered his first professional loss in September 2010, at the hands of future UFC fighter Iuri Alcântara via second round armbar.

Trinaldo then went on a four-fight winning streak in the Jungle Fight promotion with victories over Bruno Lobato, Joao Paulo, Derrick Burnsed and Adriano Martins, with the latter one earning him the Jungle Fight Lightweight belt.

The Ultimate Fighter

In March 2012, Trinaldo appeared as a fighter on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. He entered in the competition to fight in the Middleweight tournament. In the opening elimination fight, he defeated Charles Maicon by TKO in round 1 to get into the TUF house. He was then defeated by Thiago Perpétuo.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Trinaldo competed on the live finale card which took place at UFC 147 on June 23, 2012 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil against Delson Heleno. Trinaldo won in his UFC debut via TKO in the first round. After the fight he expressed his desire to fight at 155 which is his natural weight.

Trinaldo returned to the lightweight division and faced Gleison Tibau on October 13, 2012 at UFC 153. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Trinaldo defeated C.J. Keith on January 19, 2013 at UFC on FX 7, locking up an arm-triangle choke early in the second round.

For his fourth UFC fight, Trinaldo faced Mike Rio on May 18, 2013 at UFC on FX 8. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Trinaldo faced promotional newcomer Piotr Hallmann on September 4, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 28. After dominating the first round and hurting Hallmann twice with body kicks, Trinaldo lost the fight via kimura submission in the second round.

Trinaldo faced Jesse Ronson at UFC Fight Night 36. He won the fight via split decision.

Trinaldo faced Michael Chiesa on May 24, 2014 at UFC 173. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Trinaldo faced Leandro Silva at UFC Fight Night 51 on September 13, 2014. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Trinaldo faced Akbarh Arreola on March 21, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 62. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Trinaldo replaced an injured Gilbert Burns and fought Norman Parke on May 30, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 67. He won the fight by split decision.

Trinaldo faced Chad Laprise on August 23, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 74. He won the fight via TKO in the first round, after knocking his opponent down with a left hand and finishing with ground strikes, handing Laprise his first loss of his MMA career.

Trinaldo faced Ross Pearson on January 17, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 81. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Trinaldo next faced Yancy Medeiros on May 14, 2016 at UFC 198. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.

Trinaldo faced Paul Felder on September 24, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 95. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Trinaldo is expected to face Kevin Lee on March 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 106.

Mixed martial arts

• Jungle Fight
  • Jungle Fight Lightweight Championship (One time)

Kickboxing

• Brasília state kickboxing champion (Three times)

Mixed martial arts exhibition record