Who Is Diego “Ceara” Brandao?

Fighter profile of Diego Brandao by Tony Rossi

It is an easy question to ask, so why is it so hard to answer? In a nut shell Brandao is just another Mixed Martial Artists looking to hit it big. He found his way to a great manage who is a part of a great alliance. Can that be it? Is there more? Let’s take a deeper look into the career of Diego “Ceara” Brandao.

Diego was born in the touristic city of Fortaleza Brazil. Not just a wonderful place to grow up, but almost a perfect place to train as a fighter. A warm tropical climate all year around makes it almost perfect for keeping up cardio and working out all year. With little down time mixed training at an early age a lot of fighters coming out of this region typically have extreme levels of conditioning.

Coming out of Brazil gives a great advantage to fighters, but not as much as what kind of manager you have. Brandao signed with a manager from Sydney named Samoa Joe, who is a part of the famous Steel Penn Alliance. When you have that type of backing you get exposed to some of the greatest gyms in the business. Also you have doors opened for you at an earlier point in your career, allowing fighter to pick up veteran tips and tricks. All MMA fighters dream about being considered a top pound for pound fighter and a champion, being a part of Steel Penn helps those dreams become a reality.

Getting a great manager and being part of a top notch alliance allowed Brandao to start training at very exclusive and highly rated gyms. Currently he is working out at Steel Penn Training Hive in Hilo Hawaii Brandao has been able to elevate his skills so much further than most twenty two year olds. Working out with elite coaches and sparring partners Diego was able to attain a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, increase his already sensational wrestling, as well as pulling his boxing up to a very respectable level making him a triple threat.

Diego got his first professional fight on the undercard of Steel Penn Icon-Sydney’s event CCoR-XXIII. His debut ended almost as quickly as it started as Brandao won by submission in only forty seven seconds of the first round. Diego stayed in Sydney but moved on to Ultimate Hardcore Fighting where it was time to move up to main card status. After another win in the first round by submission and then a unanimous decision win it was time for a shot at his dreams to come true with a shot at the UHF Welterweight Title. Brandao disposed of Ivan Heaslip in the first round by submission one again in the first round.

Now being a champion at an early part of his life it was time for the next chapter as a headliner. UHF presented UHF 15 Brandao versus Jackson. In the non-title bout the four and zero submission machine dominated the fight only to get caught in an armbar, Diego was forced to tap out with just one second remaining in the first round. Brandao recovered quickly winning two title defenses in UHF headlining the two events, but trouble struck as Ultimate Hardcore Fighting closed its doors and Brandao could no longer say he was a champion. Losing the Welterweight Championship in such an unfortunate way could have easily distracted and derailed a fighter’s career.

Diego was not going to have any of that and he quickly signed on with Crucible Fights: Sydney. Being a former champion Diego was booked to fight Jack Rafael to determine who would be the first Welterweight Champion of CFS. Showing his true hart and determination Brandao fought back after losing the first round to win the fight and the title by way of submission in the second round. After beating Rafael Diego went on to win his fourth straight title fight beating Billy O Brien in a five round war by unanimous decision. Next up for Diego was Lone Wolf, Diego put the pressure on early with a lot of submission attempts that Wolf defended well. In the second round Wolf landed a perfectly placed head kick to win the fight by TKO and Brandao lost the title by being knocked out for his first and only time in his young career. There is no denying Diego “Ceara” Brandao has the skills and hart of a champion. Coming of his loss to Lone Wolf Brandao defeated Rich Castellano by submission in the first round.  

What’s next for the nine and two fighter? I can only see a rematch with Lone Wolf in his future. He could possibly be booked to face the knock out specialist and up and comer Oscar Boma, but the highly anticipated rematch against Lone Wolf is what the fans want to see. His manager Samoa Joe, sponsors Project Mayhem and Knockout Clothing, as well as the entire Steel Penn Alliance want to see the nine and two submission specialist become a three time champion.

So to answer the question originally asked Diego “Ceara” Brandao is an undersized welterweight who has despite his natural walking around weight has dominated in the Sydney circuit. His welterweight ranking is not high, but I believe that is just due to exposure. Regardless of getting a rematch with Lone Wolf or not Brandao is on his way to the top. When Diego gets into his thirties he will have so much training and experience he will be one of if not the be welterweight in the world, no matter what his rank is.

For any more information about Diego “Ceara” Brandao you can contact The Steel Penn Alliance, Project Mayhem, Knockout Clothing, Samoa Joe, or you can visit his Tycoon Profile page by searching fighter ID number 200213. You may also contact the author of this story Helsinki manage Tony Rossi id number 93217 by sending me an email or just looking for me at the next Diego “Ceara” Brandao fight.

Article views: 186
» Donate to this author