Former UFC, Bellator fighter Maiquel Falcao stabbed to death in Brazil

Long-time mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, Maiquel Falcao, was stabbed to death on Sunday morning (Jan. 23, 2022) in his hometown of Pelotas, Brazil, according to local news outlet Gaucha ZH.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator MMA veteran was stabbed twice in the stomach outside of a bar around 3 a.m. in the morning. He was taken to the hospital, but died soon after. Police are now in the process of investigating his murder.

Falcao was a one-and-done fighter for UFC way back in 2010. A hot Chute Boxe prospect with a 24-3 record at the time, Falcao beat Gerald Harris via unanimous decision at UFC 123. Soon after that win, though, disturbing stories about his background began to emerge and UFC cut him from the roster over a 2002 arrest for assaulting a woman in a nightclub.

Two years later, Falcao would return to the major leagues with Bellator, going 3-1 with the promotion between 2012 and 2014. He was then released by the promotion after footage of a gas station brawl emerged, once again showing Falcao getting into a physical altercation with a woman. Things quickly spiraled out of control and Falcao’s friend was beaten with a board, putting him into a coma.

Falcao continued to compete regularly across South America, Europe and Russia as recently as Oct. 2021. But, his past five years saw him in serious decline, going 2-8 with five losses via strikes.

He was just 40 years old at the time of his death.