Raush Manfio

Raush Manfio Lourenço (born November 3, 1991) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division. A professional since 2011, Manfio is most notable for winning the 2021 Professional Fighters League Lightweight tournament. Fight Matrix had him ranked a top 10 lightweight in the world in May 2022.

Personal life Manfio was born in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil on November 3, 1991. Raush, a professional MMA fighter since 2011, initially lived a carefree lifestyle as a "playboy" in Brazil. After a setback in the TUF Brasil qualifiers, he sought improvement, joining American Top Team in Florida. Struggling with finances and unable to bring his wife initially, the church community stepped in to help, allowing her to join him. Despite early success in Titan FC, visa issues and financial struggles followed. Raush took odd jobs, learning construction skills, and faced setbacks, including a title loss. Frustratingly, he went without fights for three years, facing financial difficulties with a growing family. Despite contemplating a career change, Raush's wife, Michele, urged him to persist. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened their situation in 2020. Considering a shift away from fighting, Raush gave himself an ultimatum, planning to quit with his manager's encouragement. However, his manager insisted on one more month, supporting him financially and expressing belief in his potential championship. He was eventually signed as a late replacement for the PFL season.

Manfio is best friends with two-time PFL Lightweight champion Natan Schulte. Schulte is the godfather of Manfio’s daughter.

Mixed martial arts career Manfio began competing in professional MMA in 2011 in his native Brazil, with a win against Demetro Borges in Brazil's Valiant FC 8 promotion. Manfio was eliminated by eventual lightweight season winner Glaico França.

After losing on the Ultimate Fighter, He found his way to American Top Team with the support of MMA veteran Carlos Barreto, and it was during this time that he received a glimmer of hope from a friend's promise of sponsorship. It seemed like a lifeline to continue his journey in the U.S. From November 2017 to June 2018, he held the role of Titan FC lightweight champion, after defeating Chazz Walton via knockout in the first round. He lost the title to Sidney Outlaw at Titan FC 50. However, a disappointing loss and inadequate compensation for his efforts forced him to take a job in construction to fund his work visa. Before signing with PFL, Manfio hadn't fought in three years and was working teaching MMA and as a janitor. He won the bout via split decision.

After being initially booked as a short notice replacement for Mikhail Odintsov against his teammate Natan Schulte at PFL 4 on June 10, 2021, Manfio was later rebooked against Anthony Pettis at PFL 6 on June 25, 2021 after Pettis pulled out of his previous bout due to illness. Manfio won the close bout via split decision.

In the semi-finals of the Lightweight tournament, Manfio faced Clay Collard on August 13, 2021 at PFL 7. Manfio won the bout via unanimous decision.

Manfio faced Loik Radzhabov in the Finals of the Lightweight tournament on 27 October 2021 at PFL 10. He won the bout via unanimous decision, winning the 2021 PFL Lightweight Tournament and $1 million dollar prize.

In February 2021, YouTuber Jake Paul hired Manfio to spar with him in preparation for Paul's fight against former Bellator and ONE Welterweight Champion Ben Askren. As of 2022, Manfio trains at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida.

2022 Season Manfio faced Don Madge on April 23, 2022 at PFL 1. In a comeback fashion, Manfio won the bout after dropping Madge in the third round and finishing with ground and pound.

Manfio faced Olivier Aubin-Mercier on June 17, 2022 at PFL 4. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

2023 Season Manfio started off the 2023 season against Alex Martinez on April 14, 2023, at PFL 3. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Manfio faced Natan Schulte on June 23, 2023 at PFL 6. Manfio lost via a unanimous decision in a fight that saw both men, who openly state to be best friends, refuse to engage. Following the fight, PFL suspended both fighters, saying in a statement that "All fighters in their PFL Fight Agreements agree to use their best efforts ... skills and abilities as a professional athlete to compete ... and defeat any opponent. It was very clear that Natan and Raush did not meet that contractual standard in yesterday’s bout."

On October 6, 2023, Manfio announced on his social media that he was no longer with PFL.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Professional Fighters League 2021 PFL Lightweight Championship Titan FC Titan FC Lightweight Championship (One time) One successful title defence MMA Junkie 2021 Newcomer of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Artem Reznikov TKO (elbows) ACA 192

Almaty, Kazakhstan Loss

Ayndi Umakhanov KO (punches) ACA 189

Grozny, Russia Loss

Bibert Tumenov KO (punch) ACA 182

Moscow, Russia Loss

Dan Moret Submission (rear-naked choke) XFC: Detroit Grand Prix 2

Detroit, Michigan, United States Loss

Natan Schulte Decision (unanimous) PFL 6 (2023)

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Alexander Martinez Decision (unanimous) PFL 3 (2023)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Olivier Aubin-Mercier Decision (unanimous) PFL 4 (2022)

Atlanta, Georgia, United States Win

Don Madge TKO (punches) PFL 1 (2022)

Arlington, Texas, United States Win

Loik Radzhabov Decision (unanimous) PFL 10 (2021)

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Clay Collard Decision (unanimous) PFL 7 (2021)

Hollywood, Florida, United States Win

Anthony Pettis Decision (split) PFL 6 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Joilton Lutterbach Decision (split) PFL 1 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Sidney Outlaw Decision (unanimous) Titan FC 50

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Lee Henry Lilly Decision (unanimous) Titan FC 48

Coral Gables, Florida, United States Win

Chazz Walton KO (punch) Titan FC 46

Pembroke Pines, United States Win

Martin Brown Decision (unanimous) Titan FC 45

Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States Loss

Matt Frevola Decision (unanimous) Titan FC 43

Coral Gables, Florida, United States Win

Demarques Jackson TKO (punches and elbows) Titan FC 41

Coral Gables, Florida, United States Win

Luis Zequeira KO (knee) Titan FC 39

Coral Gables, Florida, United States Win

Douglas Saraiva TKO (doctor stoppage) Gringo Super Fight 10

Nova Iguaçu, Brazil Win

Oton Jasse Decision (unanimous) Face to Face 6

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Loss

Fernando dos Santos Decision (unanimous) Watch Out Combat Show 29

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Patrick Gomes Silva Decision (unanimous) Circuito Team Nogueira de MMA 3

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Tiago Rocha TKO (punches) Conquista Kombat Championship

Vitória da Conquista, Brazil Win

Marcilio Villas Boas KO (knee) Black Belt Fight

Vitória da Conquista, Brazil Win

Demetro Borges KO (knee) Valiant Fighters Championship 8

Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

Mixed martial arts exhibition record Loss

Glaico França Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 February 2, 2015

Las Vegas, United States