Maiquel José Falcão Gonçalves (8 March 1981 – 23 January 2022) was a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Light Heavyweight division.
[1] This was arguably costly for Falcão, as Dana White speculated that had the round expired at the correct time, Harris would have succumbed to the submission.
[7] Falcão was expected to return at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann against Alessio Sakara.
"[12] Falcão's first fight after his release was against fellow Brazilian Julio Cesar Bilik at Centurion MMA 2 on 9 July 2011.
He faced Norman Paraisy in the opening round at Bellator 61 and dominated the fight by using his superior striking and scoring multiple takedowns, Falcão won via unanimous decision.
Startled by this, the much publicized temperament of Falcão rushed back at him with a knee to the ribcage and then lifted up his hand as if looking to throw a punch.
Officials, Bellator commentator/former fighter Jimmy Smith and fight matchmaker Sam Caplan separated the two from one another.
[16] After getting rocked in the first round, Falcão opted for a more conservative approach by using his wrestling to grind out Spang and he won via unanimous decision.
On 25 July 2013, Bellator released Falcão due to ongoing legal battles in his home country of Brazil.
[18] After a year away from the sport, Falcão returned and faced Dibir Zagirov at Oplot Challenge 100 on 15 February 2014.
Falcão faced M-1 Global Middleweight Champion Ramazan Emeev on 4 April 2016, at M-1 Grand Prix 2016.
Falcao dropped a rematch with Mineev on 21 April 2017, at Fight Nights Global 63 via first-round TKO.
Falcao was scheduled to face fellow Bellator veteran Emiliano Sordi on 18 November 2017 for the Arena Tour Light Heavyweight Championship, but the bout was cancelled.
As Falcão attempted to flee the scene, he and Mena were confronted outside the gas station and surrounded by three or four male relatives and friends of the assault victim.
[18] In an interview after the incident, Falcão claimed that the two fighters had come to the gas station from a bar to purchase more alcohol.
In the early hours of 23 January 2022, Falcão was stabbed outside of a bar in his hometown of Pelotas, Brazil.