Wearing Poatan's shorts, Diego Brandao applied a brutal knockout. Photo: UFC Reproduction
Wearing the shorts of Alex Poatán, the brazilian Diego Brandao delivered a brutal knockout to claim the Tuff-N-Uff title on Friday (14). The former UFC talent and winner of The Ultimate Fighter 14 returned to the North American circuit — after years competing in Russia — with one goal in mind: to show he’s ready for another appearance in Dana White’s organization.
See too
At age 37, Brandão faced Tuff-N-Uff featherweight champion Jamie Siraj in the main event of the card in Las Vegas. It took him less than a round to score the 65,7th knockout victory of his professional career, snapping Siraj's nine-fight winning streak with a spinning back kick. (see below)
DIEGO BRANDAO WOW#TNU142 pic.twitter.com/Jl4HmY5nRl
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) March 15, 2025
“Winning this and two more title defenses, I think it’s time for the UFC. The UFC is about entertaining fights and putting on a show. There’s no age, man,” Brandão said.
The Brazilian gave up a bigger purse in Russia to be able to fight in the United States and be closer to the UFC's eyes.
“That’s what Sean Shelby told me: ‘Diego, win three fights and put on a show so we can see where you stand.’ I’m following his plan. They asked me to fight in the United States, and I’m doing what they want. I’m going to finish this guy live on TV. UFC Fight Pass and leave it in the hands of Dana White and Sean Shelby. Give me a Russian, a Dagestani. The Americans are afraid to fight them, the Brazilians don't want these fights, and Brandão is here to kill,” he concluded.
