Francisco Trinaldo’s 10-year run in the UFC came to an end this month once the company decided not to re-sign the 44-year-old veteran, who was the last remaining member of TUF Brazil 1 still on the roster. Massaranduba has mixed emotions about the news.
Trinaldo revealed to MMA Fighting that he was approached by the UFC about possibly fighting at UFC 283 in Rio de Janeiro on Jan. 21, but eventually got pink-slipped. Sixteen of his 26 UFC bouts have taken place in Brazil, and now he’s set to look for a new home in mixed martial arts.
“It was good for as long as it lasted,” Trinaldo said. “We feel a bit offended, but it’s also good to me because it gives me more energy to train. Not that I was tired of fighting in the UFC, but … it’s good that I’m going to fight for other promotions now, meet other people. MMA is only growing, so let’s leave that feeling in the past.”
Trinaldo believes the UFC is “changing” since he first joined it in 2012,. The industry around it has also grown. A veteran of 37 professional MMA bouts, Trinaldo is open to joining companies like Bellator and ONE Championship next, and also likes the $1 million check paid to season champions in the PFL.
“We think about that [PFL] tournament, four fights a year, but when I fight, I do it for love,” he said. “It’s good that I get paid to fight and put on that show, so that’s also a good option to think about the future. Some promotions don’t pay a million. This promotion is worth considering .”
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Trinaldo scored key wins over the likes of Paul Felder, Yancy Medeiros, Ross Pearson, Jim Miller, Bobby Green, and Evan Dunham during his 18-8 run in the UFC as a welterweight and lightweight. He said he can make 155 pounds again if asked, but “it’s an effort I don’t think I need anymore.”
” I feel younger every day in MMA, training with the kids.” Trinaldo stated. “I feel younger and younger in MMA, training with the kids every day.”
Although he’s no longer fighting in the UFC, Massaranduba believes that his legacy will be to help youth live their truth.
” Do you know the reason I was so involved in UFC? Trinaldo stated that I didn’t care about the opinions of others and was there so much. People talk, but they only talk well or poorly. I have always worked hard and done my best. It’s what I tell the kids that will replace me: Be yourself. If you’re an a**hole, be an a**hole, don’t try to be nice. Be yourself, don’t change masks. This is what I practiced my whole career at the UFC. I was always .”
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Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/1/9/23546380/francisco-trinaldo-offended-ufc-release-more-energy-train-pfl-one-bellator-mma?rand=96749
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