Francisco Trinaldo (born August 24, 1978) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Trinaldo began with an amateur career, compiling a record of 6–1 in mixed martial arts.
[6] He spends most of his training time at the Evolução Thai, where he garnered considerable recognition, causing Sherdog.com to list him in August 2010 as their top prospect in MMA.
[7] Coming from a disadvantaged background, Trinaldo struggled and has been quoted as saying "Sometimes I can’t train because I don’t have money to catch a bus and go to the academy.
[8] Trinaldo's professional career began in the Fight Club Tournament promotion, where he won his opening bout via unanimous decision.
Facing Luiz Firmino at Bitetti Combat 6, Trinaldo dominated, locking in a kneebar on his experienced opponent and forcing the tapout with ease.
[7] Following this, Trinaldo joined the Jungle Fight Championship promotion and faced another experienced opponent in Flavio Alvaro.
Late in the second round, Trinaldo secured a TKO victory due to punches, taking his professional record to 6-0.
[7] Trinaldo suffered his first professional loss in September 2010, at the hands of future UFC fighter Iuri Alcântara via second round armbar.
In the opening elimination fight, he defeated Charles Maicon by TKO in round 1 to get into the TUF house.
Trinaldo competed on the live finale card which took place at UFC 147 on June 23, 2012, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil against Delson Heleno.
Trinaldo returned to the lightweight division and faced Gleison Tibau on October 13, 2012, at UFC 153.
Keith on January 19, 2013, at UFC on FX 7, locking up an arm-triangle choke early in the second round.
Trinaldo faced promotional newcomer Piotr Hallmann on September 4, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 28.
[18] Trinaldo replaced an injured Gilbert Burns and fought Norman Parke on May 30, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 67.
[41] However, Ferreira was forced out of the bout on weigh-in day as he was deemed medically unfit due to a weight cutting issue.
[43] He lost the fight via controversial unanimous decision,[44] as 11 of 13 media outlets scoring the bout in favor of Trinaldo.
[61] In his first fight since his UFC release, Trinaldo faced Sasha Palatnikov at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 6 on November 10, 2023.