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Brazil Marcos Rogerio de Lima is a professional mixed martial artist recognized for his career in the Heavyweight division, primarily competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Marcos Rogerio de Lima has been a prominent mixed martial artist in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, competing in the heavyweight division. His association with the UFC has spanned many fights, including wins against notable opponents such as Ben Rothwell and Andrei Arlovski.
Marcos Rogerio de Lima was involved in incidents with USADA (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency), primarily concerning failed drug tests due to tainted supplements. This led to suspensions and discussions about the transparency and impact of the partnership between UFC and USADA.
Marcos Rogério de Lima, also known as “Pezao,” was born on May 25, 1985, in Ribeirão Pires, São Paulo, Brazil. His professional mixed martial arts career commenced in 2009. Prior to joining the UFC, he established a notable record in his home country, including a unanimous decision victory over former WEC middleweight champion Paulo Filho in October 2010. He also competed in Strikeforce, making his debut against Mike Kyle in September 2011, and fought for the Shooto Brazil light heavyweight championship in April 2012.
His journey to the UFC began in 2014 when he was selected as a participant on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3. As the first overall pick for Team Sonnen, he progressed through the competition, reaching the semifinals. Following his time on the show, de Lima made his official UFC debut on May 31, 2014, securing a first-round knockout victory against Richardson Moreira. Over his UFC tenure, he has accumulated 22 wins, 15 of which came by knockout, and 3 by submission. He has recorded 15 first-round finishes, showcasing his ability to end fights early.
Throughout his career, de Lima has competed in both Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight divisions within the UFC. Notable victories include TKO finishes against Igor Pokrajac in December 2014, Jeremy Kimball in January 2017, Ben Sosoli in February 2020, and Ben Rothwell in November 2021. He also secured submission wins against Clint Hester in April 2016 and Andrei Arlovski in October 2022. He holds decision victories against Adam Wieczorek in November 2018, Maurice Greene in May 2021, and Waldo Cortes-Acosta in April 2023. His most recent win was a TKO against Junior Tafa in February 2024 at UFC 298. In March 2025, de Lima was reported to have tested positive for a banned substance for a second time, resulting in a 12-month suspension and subsequent removal from the UFC roster.
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