5 Defining Moments: Rodrigo Nascimento

Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweights have undergone a steady evolution in athletic prowess and competence in the last few years. Unlike their contemporaries of yesteryear who relied heavily on explosiveness, the new generation of heavyweight competitors ensure the skills they bring to the table are more diverse. Brazilian heavyweight contender Rodrigo Nascimento stands as a textbook example of this trend.

“Yogi Bear” will draw his first main event assignment inside the Octagon when he takes on all-time heavyweight knockout leader Derrick Lewis in the UFC on ESPN 56 headliner this Saturday at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. Nascimento enters the bout on a three-fight winning streak, having most recently registered his second head-to-head victory over Don’Tale Mayes.

Ahead of the Nascimento’s clash opposite Lewis, a look at five defining moments of his career:

1. Fate intervened to steer his martial arts course.

Nascimento was born and raised in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. An unlikely meeting of the minds led him to cross paths with his mentor, Everton Rabelo de Andrade, at a Local Area Network party while playing video games. Andrade, who taught martial arts, invited Nascimento to join his team, and the die was cast to forge his mixed martial arts career.

2. He established himself as The King of Belo Horizonte.

“Yogi Bear” suited up for his first professional fight on March 24, 2012. Competing actively in local Full House events, Nascimento mounted a solid three-fight win streak, finishing all of his opponents in the first round. He went on to further solidify his claim as one of the most highly touted potential standouts from Belo Horizonte. “Yogi Bear” competed twice under the BH Fight banner, collecting signature victories over Fabricio Nascimento Silva and Fabio Moreira.

3. His skills earned a coveted contract with the UFC.

Nascimento squared off with Michal Martinek on Dana White’s Contender Series in July 2019 to shoot his shot at securing a UFC contract. Martinek was unbeaten in seven starts and had the reputation of being a dynamic striker. Nevertheless, Nascimento prevailed in the battle of the undefeated big boys, securing a first-round arm-triangle choke submission win.

4. He subdued a seasoned veteran in his most significant victory to date.

Nascimento took on veteran UFC challenger Ilir Latifi at UFC Fight Night 223. The Brazilian mandated the terms of the bout for much of the contest, using his size advantage to keep Latifi just out of range and avoid incoming offense. Latifi managed to scoop the Brazilian and take the fight to the canvas, but his foe’s bottom defense showed staying power. Nascimento navigated through precarious positions to counter the efforts of his challenger. When the 10s and nines were calculated, the 31-year-old walked away with one of the most important wins of his career via split decision.

5. He forced the door open to better competition.

The last time “Yogi Bear” stepped inside the Octagon, Lewis was headlining UFC Fight Night 231. Now, Nascimento stands on the cusp of achieving glory in his maiden main event responsibility alongside “The Beast,” all thanks to the unanimous decision win over the aforementioned Mayes. The pair reignited hostility three years after their first encounter, which Nascimento won by second-round rear-naked choke submission. From the opening bell, Nascimento pushed the action, harnessing volume striking and landing at will, all while dictating the pace. While the intensity eroded over time, the Brazilian continued to steer the tone of the fight. Mayes doubled down on his efforts to counter in the later portion of the fight, by which time Nascimento had already scored heavily on the judges’ scorecards. With his name gleaming on the positive side of the result, the Brazilian made a case to be paired against better rivals. In Lewis, his wish has seemingly been granted.