Raffael Cerqueira considered quitting MMA due to low-paying fight offers in Brazil but persevered through financial struggles and personal challenges to finally secure a spot in the UFC, where he feels motivated to prove himself despite the pressure.
Raffael Cerqueira almost walked away from MMA after receiving some ridiculous offers to fight in Brazil. Can you believe it? Offers as low as $70! He even had three opponents lined up for a Dana White’s Contender Series card on Sept. 10 before being bumped straight to UFC 308.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Cerqueira shared how he was offered just R$400 to fight in Sao Paulo. The promoter would only cover meals—no transportation or hotel. Oh, and he wanted a cut of Cerqueira’s future international earnings. Crazy, right? His managers were like, “No way!”
Cerqueira began his fighting career in 2019 and snagged the Demo Fight light heavyweight championship. After defending it three times, he made some quick jumps to heavyweight earlier this year. By 2023, he was calling out Dana White and Mick Maynard, eager for a UFC shot but growing weary of the wait.
“It’s tough being an athlete in Brazil,” Cerqueira lamented. “I have two kids to care for. After a December fight, Mick told my manager they wanted me but said I’d have to wait. I thought I was already in the UFC! Told my parents, ‘We’re gonna change our lives.’ But January came and went without a word.”
In late January, Cerqueira stepped in for a teammate in a heavyweight bout and won by first-round knockout. Again, he called out Maynard but still got no offer. Frustrated, he considered quitting MMA altogether, thinking about going back to school and job hunting.
His coaches at Galpão da Luta urged him to give it one more shot. With his mom hospitalized and bills piling up, he took another last-minute heavyweight fight in Salvador. He felt drained and demotivated warming up, telling his cousin it might be his last fight if nothing came of it.
Despite minimal training, Cerqueira managed to defeat Rodrigo Araujo in the first round. Back home, he shared the win with his mom, who simply smiled and said, “Good, let’s wait now.” Weeks passed with no word from the UFC.
Feeling fed up, Cerqueira told his coach Mario Piazzon he was done. But Mario reminded him that tough times often precede something good. And guess what? The next day brought news of his signing to the Contender Series! Cue the tears of gratitude.
Cerqueira never actually fought on DWCS; instead, he got shifted directly to UFC 308 alongside teammates Jailton Almeida and Eduarda Moura. He likened the pressure of fighting for a deal to a “job interview” with Dana White but remains motivated.
“When this season of the Contender Series started,” Cerqueira recalled, “Dana White said he’s not looking for guys over 30. I’m 34! So I knew I had to deliver—either knock this guy out or go through a three-round war.” Being in the UFC doesn’t lessen the pressure; it’s bigger than ever now. But he’s ready to prove why he belongs there.