Bruno Cappelozza

Bruno Cappelozza
Born	Bruno Henrique Cappelozza (1989-05-20) May 20, 1989 (age 34) Jaú, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight	240 lb (109 kg; 17 st 2 lb)
Division	Heavyweight Light Heavyweight
Reach	79 in (201 cm)
Fighting out of	Jau, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Team	Corinthians MMA
Years active	2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	23
Wins	15
By knockout	14
By decision	1
Losses	7
By knockout	2
By submission	3
By decision	1
By disqualification	1
No contests	1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Bruno Henrique Cappelozza (born 20 May 1989) ^[1] is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently signed to the Professional Fighters League, where he competes in the heavyweight division. He is the 2021 PFL heavyweight world champion. Cappelozza has also competed in MMA promotions Rizin Fighting Federation and Jungle Fight.

Early life

Cappelozza was born in Jaú, São Paulo, Brazil, where he first began to train in mixed martial arts. He commenced his martial arts journey at the age of 7, participating in disciplines such as karate, judo, and capoeira. Subsequently, he transitioned to Muay Thai, eventually making his debut in MMA. ^{[2] [3]}

Mixed martial arts career

Cappelozza made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2010, fighting for an MMA team owned by Brazilian soccer team Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, commonly called Corinthians. ^[4] At Corinithians, Cappelozza trained with former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion Anderson Silva. ^[5]

At the onset of the last decade, Cappelozza emerged as one of the promising talents in Brazilian MMA. Within his initial 10 bouts, he secured the Jungle Fight cruiserweight belt (up to 100kg), later adding the light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg) in 2016. ^[6] Despite these achievements, his two international forays, both at Rizin Fighting Federation in Japan, ended in defeat. Notably, in July 2018, he faced future UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka on July 28, 2018, at Rizin 11, starting strong but ultimately succumbing to a knockout in 1 minute and 23 seconds. ^{[7] [8]}

Facing defeats and a series of injuries, Bruno, found himself at a career crossroads. Sidelined for months due to hand, knee, and biceps surgeries, his return to the national scene was marred by opponents backing out at the last minute. Pressure from friends and family to reconsider his life direction intensified, especially as he, his wife Jéssica, and son David lived uncomfortably in his parents' house. ^[9]

Bruno faced humiliation from friends and even lost some who were unsupportive. Despite his mother's suggestion to finish his physical education degree, he remained steadfast in pursuing his fighting career. During a challenging period, he crossed paths with Ronny Markes from Dominance MMA, becoming a sparring partner for Corey Anderson in the US. While the opportunity helped financially, it meant long separations from his family, causing deep emotional strain. In response to travel restrictions amid the new coronavirus pandemic, he opted to remain in Las Vegas for over eight months, which led to his opportunity to appear in the PFL Heavyweight season that commenced in April. ^[9]

Professional Fighters League

2021 Season

In 2020, Cappelozza signed with the Professional Fighters League and made his debut in the 2021 season.

Cappelozza debuted at PFL 3, scoring a 46-second KO of Ante Delija. ^[10] He knocked out Muhammad DeReese in the first round of his next fight at PFL 6 to secure the No.1 seed in the 2021 PFL Playoffs. ^{[11] [12]}

In the Semifinals at PFL 8, Cappelozza stopped Jamelle Jones via second-round TKO to earn a place in the finals, opposite Delija, in a rematch from the 2021 PFL Regular Season. ^{[13] [14]}

In the PFL heavyweight championship bout at PFL 10, a back-and-forth battle with multiple knockdowns, Cappelozza defeated Delija by unanimous decision to become the 2021 PFL Heavyweight Champion. ^[15]

Immediately following Cappelozza's championship win, he learned via phone that his father, Joao Cappelozza, died three days prior to the PFL Championship. ^[16] His family withheld the information so he wouldn't be distracted while preparing for the fight. ^{[17] [18]}

2022 Season

Cappelozza launched 2022 season with a fight against Stuart Austin at PFL 2, which Cappeloza won in the first round with a knockout. ^[19]

In June 2022, at PFL 5, Matheus Scheffel defeated Cappelozza via unanimous decision, in a surprising upset. Despite that loss, Cappelozza still advanced to the playoffs, due to his earlier KO. ^[20] That fight was nominated for “Upset of the Year” in the World MMA Awards. ^{[21] [22]}

In July 2022, ESPN reported that Cappelozza would no longer compete in the PFL playoffs due to an undisclosed injury. He was replaced by Mattheus Scheffel in the semifinal fight against Denis Goltsov. ^[23]

2023 Season

Cappelozza started off the 2023 PFL season in a rematch against Matheus Scheffel on April 7, 2023, at PFL 2. ^[24] He won the fight via TKO in the first round. ^[25] On May 9, 2023, it was announced that Cappelozza had failed a commission drug test and was pulled from the season. ^[26] At the NAC meeting that month, it was announced that Cappelozza was suspended 9 months for testing positive for Drostanolone and the victory was overturned to a no contest. He is eligible to return on January 7, 2024. ^[27]

2024 Season

Cappelozza faced former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Vadim Nemkov on February 24, 2024, at PFL vs. Bellator. ^[28] He lost by arm-triangle submission in the second round. ^{[29] [30]}

Cappelozza was scheduled to face Sergei Bilostenniy on April 4, 2024 at PFL 1. ^[31] However, a week before the event it was announced that he had pulled out. ^[32]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

• Professional Fighters League
  • 2021 PFL Heavyweight Championship

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

23 matches	15 wins	7 losses
By knockout	14	2
By submission	0	3
By decision	1	1
By disqualification	0	1
No contests	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	15–7 (1)	Vadim Nemkov	Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke)	PFL vs. Bellator	February 24, 2024	2	2:13	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia	For "PFL Champion vs. Bellator Champion" Super Belt.
NC	15–6 (1)	Matheus Scheffel	No Contest (overturned)	PFL 2 (2023)	April 7, 2023	1	2:15	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Originally a TKO (punches) win for Cappelozza; overturned after he tested positive for drostanolone.
Loss	15–6	Matheus Scheffel	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 5 (2022)	June 24, 2022	3	5:00	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win	15–5	Stuart Austin	TKO (punches)	PFL 2 (2022)	April 28, 2022	1	4:24	Arlington, Texas, United States
Win	14–5	Ante Delija	Decision (unanimous)	PFL 10 (2021)	October 27, 2021	5	5:00	Hollywood, Florida, United States	Won the 2021 PFL Heavyweight Tournament.
Win	13–5	Jamelle Jones	TKO (punches)	PFL 8 (2021)	August 19, 2021	2	1:33	Hollywood, Florida, United States	2021 PFL Heavyweight Semifinal.
Win	12–5	Muhammed DeReese	TKO (punch and head kick)	PFL 6 (2021)	June 25, 2021	1	2:21	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win	11–5	Ante Delija	KO (punches)	PFL 3 (2021)	May 6, 2021	1	0:46	Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States	Return to Heavyweight.
Loss	10–5	Jiří Procházka	KO (punches)	Rizin 11	July 28, 2018	1	1:23	Saitama, Japan
Win	10–4	Lucas Rosa	TKO (punches)	Gladiator MMA 3	October 16, 2017	1	3:02	São Paulo, Brazil
Win	9–4	Devani Martins Jr.	TKO (knee and punches)	Demolidor Fight 10	August 12, 2017	1	0:07	São Paulo, Brazil	Won the vacant DFMMA Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win	8–4	Klidson Abreu	TKO (punches)	Jungle Fight 87	May 21, 2016	3	3:08	São Paulo, Brazil	Returnt to Light Heavyweight. Won the vacant Jungle Fight Light Heavyweight Championship.
Loss	7–4	Teodoras Aukštuolis	KO (punch)	Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 1 - Saraba	December 29, 2015	1	3:32	Saitama, Japan	Heavyweight debut. 2015 Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win	7–3	Sandro Bezerra	TKO (punches)	Jungle Fight 82	October 24, 2015	1	4:17	São Paulo, Brazil	Won the vacant Jungle Fight 220 lbs Championship.
Win	6–3	Marco Talebi Paulo	KO (punches)	Gladiator MMA 2	July 18, 2015	1	0:20	São Paulo, Brazil
Win	5–3	David Teixeira	TKO	Gladiator MMA	October 25, 2014	2	N/A	São Paulo, Brazil
Win	4–3	Vagner Curió	TKO (punches)	Real Fight 9	June 15, 2013	1	N/A	São Paulo, Brazil
Loss	3–3	Emiliano Sordi	Submission (guillotine choke)	Jungle Fight 35	December 17, 2011	1	0:34	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win	3–2	Dirlei Broenstrup	TKO (retirement)	Jungle Fight 32	September 10, 2011	3	2:46	São Paulo, Brazil
Win	2–2	Jackson Mora	KO (punches)	Jungle Fight 28	May 21, 2011	1	4:28	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win	1–2	Marcelo Cruz	TKO (leg kicks and punches)	Jungle Fight 26	April 2, 2011	3	1:53	São Paulo, Brazil
Loss	0–2	Nelson Martins	Disqualification (illegal punches)	Jungle Fight 24	December 18, 2010	1	1:58	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Loss	0–1	João Paulo Pereira	Submission (arm-triangle choke)	Predador FC 17	December 11, 2010	1	3:34	São Paulo, Brazil	Light Heavyweight debut.

^[33]

See also

• List of current PFL fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

References

1. "Bruno Henrique Cappelozza MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
2. Critchfield, Tristen. "Bruno Cappelozza: Winning PFL Championship 'Happiest & Saddest Day of My Life'". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
3. "Lutador do Corinthians no Rizin, Bruno Cappelozza mira vitórias em GP no Japão". Planeta Octógono (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2015-12-26. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
4. Benedicto, Alane (2022-04-28). "Jauense Bruno Cappelozza luta nesta quinta-feira em nova temporada" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-05-04.
5. Ribas, Diego. "Gaviões da Fiel inova e se torna primeira torcida a patrocinar um lutador de MMA". esportes.r7.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-05-04.
6. Cruz, Guilherme (2015-10-25). "New Jungle Fight champion enters Rizin tournament". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
7. Martin, Adam D. (2021-10-28). "Bruno Cappelozza reacts after learning his father passed away just minutes after winning PFL heavyweight title". BJPenn.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
8. Takanori Gomi knocks out Melvin Guillard at Rizin 11, MMA Fighting 2018/07/29. Retrieved on 12 July 2020.
9. "Cappelozza supera saudades do filho e humilhações antes de disputa do milhão na PFL". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
10. Yanofsky, Daniel. "2021 PFL Championship Finals: Bruno Cappelozza beats Ante Delija In A Heavyweight War". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
11. Albuquerque, Adriano. "Bruno Cappelozza não promete nocaute, mas espera "grande luta" na semifinal da PFL". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-05-04.
12. Wells, Matthew (2021-06-26). "2021 PFL 6 video: Bruno Cappelozza unloads a barrage of strikes to knock out Muhammed DeReese". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
13. King, Nolan. "2021 PFL Championship: Bruno Cappelozza out-brawls Ante Delija in wild, back-and-forth affair". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
14. Wagenheim, Jeff (2021-08-20). "Kayla Harrison and Bruno Cappelozza dominate in semifinal wins, qualify for $1M PFL championship". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
15. Albuquerque, Adriano. "Bruno Cappelozza conta que lembrou "humilhação" após nocaute na PFL". ge (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-05-04.
16. "Campeão do peso-pesado do PFL, Bruno Cappelozza desabafa após perda do pai". ESPN.com (in Portuguese). 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
17. Taylor, Tom. "How PFL Heavyweight Champion Bruno Cappelozza Plans to Honor His Father's Memory". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
18. Cruz, Guilherme (2021-10-28). "Bruno Cappelozza experiences 'happiest and saddest day of my life' after winning PFL title without knowing father had died". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
19. Richardson, Andrew (2022-04-28). "Highlights! Cappelozza Crushes Austin For First-Round KO". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
20. Meshew, Jed (2022-06-25). "PFL 5 results: Mattheus Scheffel upsets Bruno Cappelozza, Stevie Ray taps Anthony Pettis with twister". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
21. "14th Annual World MMA Awards: Volkanovski Takes Fighter of the Year". Cageside Press. 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
22. Boga, Andrew (2022-12-14). "Alexander Volkanovski wins Fighter Of The Year at World MMA Awards in Las Vegas". Fight News Australia. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
23. Raimondi, Marc (2022-07-28). "Sources: Injured Cappelozza out of PFL playoffs". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2022-12-22.
24. Dwornik, Ardi (2023-02-27). "Professional Fighters League Announces Full Card For PFL 2: Heavyweights And Women's Featherweights". ESPN Press Room U.S. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
25. "Larissa Pacheco e Bruno Cappelozza vencem e caminham em busca do bi da PFL". SUPER LUTAS (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2023-04-08. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
26. Cruz, Guilherme (2023-05-09). "Thiago Santos, Krzysztof Jotko, two others fail drug tests after first half of PFL 2023 season". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-05-11.
27. "9 PFL fighters face suspensions following failed drug tests in Nevada". MMA Junkie. 2023-05-17. Retrieved 2023-05-18.
28. "Nemkov to enter PFL vs. Bellator event as heavyweight, vacants light heavyweight belt". scrapdigest.com.
29. "PFL vs. Bellator: Champions video: Vadim Nemkov puts Bruno Cappelozza to sleep with arm triangle". mmajunkie.usatoday.com.
30. Dewar, Val (2024-02-24). "PFL vs. Bellator: Vadim Nemkov Submits Bruno Cappelozza in Heavyweight Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
31. Cruz, Guilherme (2024-03-11). "PFL announces full line-ups for first 3 season events, 8 ex-Bellator champions debut". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
32. "Cappelozza removed from PFL card on April 4". ESPN.com. 2024-03-26. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
33. "Bruno Cappelozza". Sherdog. Retrieved 1 December 2022.

External links

• Professional MMA record for Bruno Cappelozza from Sherdog