Bruno Henrique Cappelozza (born 20 May 1989)[1] is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently signed to the Professional Fighters League, where he competes in the heavyweight division. He is the 2021 PFL heavyweight world champion. Cappelozza has also competed in MMA promotions Rizin Fighting Federation and Jungle Fight.
| Bruno Cappelozza | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bruno Henrique Cappelozza May 20, 1989 Jaú, Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 240 lb (109 kg; 17 st 2 lb) |
| Division | Heavyweight Light Heavyweight |
| Reach | 79 in (201 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Jau, Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| Team | Corinthians MMA |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 23 |
| Wins | 15 |
| By knockout | 14 |
| By decision | 1 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 1 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Early life
Cappelozza was born in Jaú, São Paulo, Brazil, where he first began to train in mixed martial arts. He commenced his martial arts journey at the age of 7, participating in disciplines such as karate, judo, and capoeira. Subsequently, he transitioned to Muay Thai, eventually making his debut in MMA.[2][3]
Mixed martial arts career
Cappelozza made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 2010, fighting for an MMA team owned by Brazilian soccer team Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, commonly called Corinthians.[4] At Corinithians, Cappelozza trained with former Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight champion Anderson Silva.[5]
At the onset of the last decade, Cappelozza emerged as one of the promising talents in Brazilian MMA. Within his initial 10 bouts, he secured the Jungle Fight cruiserweight belt (up to 100kg), later adding the light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg) in 2016.[6] Despite these achievements, his two international forays, both at Rizin Fighting Federation in Japan, ended in defeat. Notably, in July 2018, he faced future UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka on July 28, 2018, at Rizin 11, starting strong but ultimately succumbing to a knockout in 1 minute and 23 seconds.[7][8]
Facing defeats and a series of injuries, Bruno, found himself at a career crossroads. Sidelined for months due to hand, knee, and biceps surgeries, his return to the national scene was marred by opponents backing out at the last minute. Pressure from friends and family to reconsider his life direction intensified, especially as he, his wife Jéssica, and son David lived uncomfortably in his parents' house.[9]
Bruno faced humiliation from friends and even lost some who were unsupportive. Despite his mother's suggestion to finish his physical education degree, he remained steadfast in pursuing his fighting career. During a challenging period, he crossed paths with Ronny Markes from Dominance MMA, becoming a sparring partner for Corey Anderson in the US. While the opportunity helped financially, it meant long separations from his family, causing deep emotional strain. In response to travel restrictions amid the new coronavirus pandemic, he opted to remain in Las Vegas for over eight months, which led to his opportunity to appear in the PFL Heavyweight season that commenced in April.[9]
Professional Fighters League
2021 Season
In 2020, Cappelozza signed with the Professional Fighters League and made his debut in the 2021 season.
Cappelozza debuted at PFL 3, scoring a 46-second KO of Ante Delija.[10] He knocked out Muhammad DeReese in the first round of his next fight at PFL 6 to secure the No.1 seed in the 2021 PFL Playoffs.[11][12]
In the Semifinals at PFL 8, Cappelozza stopped Jamelle Jones via second-round TKO to earn a place in the finals, opposite Delija, in a rematch from the 2021 PFL Regular Season.[13][14]
In the PFL heavyweight championship bout at PFL 10, a back-and-forth battle with multiple knockdowns, Cappelozza defeated Delija by unanimous decision to become the 2021 PFL Heavyweight Champion.[15]
Immediately following Cappelozza's championship win, he learned via phone that his father, Joao Cappelozza, died three days prior to the PFL Championship.[16] His family withheld the information so he wouldn't be distracted while preparing for the fight.[17][18]
2022 Season
Cappelozza launched 2022 season with a fight against Stuart Austin at PFL 2, which Cappeloza won in the first round with a knockout.[19]
In June 2022, at PFL 5, Matheus Scheffel defeated Cappelozza via unanimous decision, in a surprising upset. Despite that loss, Cappelozza still advanced to the playoffs, due to his earlier KO.[20] That fight was nominated for “Upset of the Year” in the World MMA Awards.[21][22]
In July 2022, ESPN reported that Cappelozza would no longer compete in the PFL playoffs due to an undisclosed injury. He was replaced by Mattheus Scheffel in the semifinal fight against Denis Goltsov.[23]
2023 Season
Cappelozza started off the 2023 PFL season in a rematch against Matheus Scheffel on April 7, 2023, at PFL 2.[24] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[25] On May 9, 2023, it was announced that Cappelozza had failed a commission drug test and was pulled from the season.[26] At the NAC meeting that month, it was announced that Cappelozza was suspended 9 months for testing positive for Drostanolone and the victory was overturned to a no contest. He is eligible to return on January 7, 2024.[27]
2024 Season
Cappelozza faced former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Vadim Nemkov on February 24, 2024, at PFL vs. Bellator.[28] He lost by arm-triangle submission in the second round.[29][30]
Cappelozza was scheduled to face Sergei Bilostenniy on April 4, 2024 at PFL 1.[31] However, a week before the event it was announced that he had pulled out.[32]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Mixed martial arts record
| 23 matches | 15 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 14 | 2 |
| By submission | 0 | 3 |
| By decision | 1 | 1 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 15–7 (1) | Vadim Nemkov | Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) | PFL vs. Bellator | February 24, 2024 | 2 | 2:13 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | For "PFL Champion vs. Bellator Champion" Super Belt. |
| NC | 15–6 (1) | Matheus Scheffel | NC (overturned) | PFL 2 (2023) | April 7, 2023 | 1 | 2:15 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Originally a TKO (punches) win for Cappelozza; overturned after he tested positive for drostanolone. |
| Loss | 15–6 | Matheus Scheffel | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 5 (2022) | June 24, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 15–5 | Stuart Austin | TKO (punches) | PFL 2 (2022) | April 28, 2022 | 1 | 4:24 | Arlington, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 14–5 | Ante Delija | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 10 (2021) | October 27, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | Won the 2021 PFL Heavyweight Tournament. |
| Win | 13–5 | Jamelle Jones | TKO (punches) | PFL 8 (2021) | August 19, 2021 | 2 | 1:33 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | 2021 PFL Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 12–5 | Muhammed DeReese | TKO (punch and head kick) | PFL 6 (2021) | June 25, 2021 | 1 | 2:21 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 11–5 | Ante Delija | KO (punches) | PFL 3 (2021) | May 6, 2021 | 1 | 0:46 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Return to Heavyweight. |
| Loss | 10–5 | Jiří Procházka | KO (punches) | Rizin 11 | July 28, 2018 | 1 | 1:23 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 10–4 | Lucas Rosa | TKO (punches) | Gladiator MMA 3 | October 16, 2017 | 1 | 3:02 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 9–4 | Devani Martins Jr. | TKO (knee and punches) | Demolidor Fight 10 | August 12, 2017 | 1 | 0:07 | São Paulo, Brazil | Won the vacant DFMMA Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–4 | Klidson Abreu | TKO (punches) | Jungle Fight 87 | May 21, 2016 | 3 | 3:08 | São Paulo, Brazil | Returnt to Light Heavyweight. Won the vacant Jungle Fight Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Loss | 7–4 | Teodoras Aukštuolis | KO (punch) | Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 1 - Saraba | December 29, 2015 | 1 | 3:32 | Saitama, Japan | Heavyweight debut. 2015 Rizin Heavyweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 7–3 | Sandro Bezerra | TKO (punches) | Jungle Fight 82 | October 24, 2015 | 1 | 4:17 | São Paulo, Brazil | Won the vacant Jungle Fight 220 lbs Championship. |
| Win | 6–3 | Marco Talebi Paulo | KO (punches) | Gladiator MMA 2 | July 18, 2015 | 1 | 0:20 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 5–3 | David Teixeira | TKO | Gladiator MMA | October 25, 2014 | 2 | N/A | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–3 | Vagner Curió | TKO (punches) | Real Fight 9 | June 15, 2013 | 1 | N/A | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Loss | 3–3 | Emiliano Sordi | Submission (guillotine choke) | Jungle Fight 35 | December 17, 2011 | 1 | 0:34 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 3–2 | Dirlei Broenstrup | TKO (retirement) | Jungle Fight 32 | September 10, 2011 | 3 | 2:46 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–2 | Jackson Mora | KO (punches) | Jungle Fight 28 | May 21, 2011 | 1 | 4:28 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–2 | Marcelo Cruz | TKO (leg kicks and punches) | Jungle Fight 26 | April 2, 2011 | 3 | 1:53 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Loss | 0–2 | Nelson Martins | DQ (illegal punches) | Jungle Fight 24 | December 18, 2010 | 1 | 1:58 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Loss | 0–1 | João Paulo Pereira | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Predador FC 17 | December 11, 2010 | 1 | 3:34 | São Paulo, Brazil | Light Heavyweight debut. |