“DB” wants back in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Former UFC fighter Diego Brandao returned to the same venue where he won Season 14 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 13 years ago — and scored a big split-decision win over fellow UFC veteran Kai Kamaka in the main event of Tuff-N-Uff 149 this past weekend (Sat., Oct. 25, 2025) inside Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 38-year-old Brazilian went to war with Kamaka in a competitive, back-and-forth fight, with both men having their moments. Ultimately, Brandao did just enough to earn the split-decision nod.
Check out highlights below:
Brandao’s resurgence has been great to see. After being released by the UFC in 2016, the Brazilian spent most of his career competing in Russia, where he went 9-11 and even experienced a six-fight losing streak. Earlier this year, he decided to stop fighting overseas and focus on earning another shot inside the Octagon — and so far, he’s made a strong case.
He’s gone 3-0 in 2025. First, he knocked out top prospect Jamie Siraj with a spinning wheel kick to claim the Tuff-N-Uff Featherweight title. Next, he defended the belt with a TKO win over Canaan Kawaihae. Then, he outpointed Kamaka, who was also on the verge of a UFC return. It’s worth pointing out that Brandao was an underdog in all three fights.
Brandao (32-22) has made it clear he wants to finish his career in the UFC. At 38 years old, that may be a long shot — but if anyone’s earned one last run, it might be him.
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