Francisco Trinaldo (born August 24, 1978) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2006, he has also competed for Jungle Fight in his native Brazil, where he is the former Lightweight Champion, and was a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.
Mixed martial arts career
Background
Trinaldo began with an amateur career, compiling a record of 6–1 in mixed martial arts. He is also a three-time Brasilia State Kickboxing Champion, and began kickboxing when he was 23 years old before transitioning into mixed martial arts, holding a record of 12–1. 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 garnered considerable recognition, 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 prevented his rise further in the sport. Coming from a disadvantaged background, Trinaldo struggled 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.