Rony Mariano Bezerra

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Bezerra made his professional MMA debut in 2006, where he fought Alessandro Cabeca in his professional debut, winning via second-round TKO.

At only 2–0, Bezerra took a fight against another up-and-comer, and future UFC Interim Bantamweight Champion, Renan Barão. The fight was very closely contested and ended in a split decision loss for Bezerra.

The Ultimate Fighter In March 2012, it was revealed that Bezerra was selected to be a participant on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. Bezerra defeated Dileno Lopes via technical knockout in the first round to move into the Ultimate Fighter house, and become an official cast member.

Bezerra was selected as the first overall pick by Wanderlei Silva, to be a part of Team Wanderlei. In the last quarterfinal fight, Bezerra was selected to fight his close friend and training partner Anistavio Medeiros. Bezerra won the fight via technical submission after applying an armbar to Meideiros, nearly breaking his arm which forced the referee to intervene and stop the fight.

In the semi-final round, Bezerra was matched-up against Hugo Viana from Team Vitor. After three rounds, Bezerra was declared the winner via unanimous decision. The win moved him into the finals set to take place at UFC 147.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Bezerra officially made his UFC debut at UFC 147 on June 23, 2012, against Godofredo Pepey to determine the Featherweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Bezerra fought Sam Sicilia on October 13, 2012, at UFC 153. After a hard back-and-forth slug fest, Bezerra dropped Sicilia with a big right and finished with hammerfists to earn the second-round TKO stoppage. He won Knockout of the Night honors with his performance.

Bezerra next faced The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes fighter Mike Wilkinson on June 8, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 10. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Bezerra was expected to face Jeremy Stephens on October 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 29. However, Bezerra pulled out of the bout citing an injury (lumbar hernia). The bout eventually took place on November 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 32. Bezerra lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Bezerra faced Steven Siler on March 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 38. He won the fight via a controversial TKO stoppage in the first round. Siler was initially dropped by two punches from Bezerra. Siler, having his back on the mat, immediately threw an up-kick as soon as Bezerra proceeded to walk toward him. At the very same time the referee stepped in to stop the fight as a conscious Siler was attempting to defend himself.

Bezerra faced Robbie Peralta on May 31, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale. He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.

Bezerra was expected to face Tom Niinimäki on December 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 58. However, Bezerra pulled out of the bout on December 10 and was replaced by promotional newcomer Renato Moicano.

Bezerra faced Damon Jackson on May 30, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 67. He won the fight via triangle choke submission in the first round. The victory also produced a Performance of the Night bonus. On June 18, 2015, it was announced that Bezerra tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide, which is a banned diuretic, therefore his submission victory was overturned and he received a nine-month suspension. The UFC rescinded Jason's $50,000 "Performance of the Night" award.

Bezerra faced Dennis Bermudez on August 6, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 92. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Bezerra faced Jeremy Kennedy on March 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 106. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

On October 10, 2017, Bezerra was released from UFC roster.

LUX Fight League After being released from the UFC, Bezerra signed with LUX Fight League. He made his promotional debut against Diego Lopes at LUX 004 on March 15, 2019, losing the fight via unanimous decision.

Bezerra made his sophomore appearance in the promotion against Edgar Díaz Guzman at LUX 005 on July 19, 2019. He won the fight via first-round knockout.

Post career Next Bezerra faced Alexander Grozin at RCC Intro 6 on November 16, 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Bezerra then faced Daniel Bažant for the vacant FNC Featherweight Championship at FNC 5 on March 26, 2022. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

He then faced Filip Pejić at FNC 11 on May 28, 2023. He won the bout via first-round knockout.

Jason faced Tariel Abbasov on December 16, 2023 at FNC 14, winning the bout via arm-triangle choke in the third round after losing the first two.

Controversies On November 9, 2013, after losing to Jeremy Stephens at UFC Fight Night 32: Belfort vs. Henderson, Bezerra punched a hole in a wall at the backstage where he required a dozen stitches and was suspended 30 days from Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA).

In October 2017, two videos were released where Bezerra was seen yelling and striking his sister who was lying on the pavement with multiple bystanders attempting to restrain him.

Championships and awards

Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil Featherweight Tournament Winner Knockout of the Night (One time) Performance of the Night (One time - forfeited) Max Fight MF Featherweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Paweł Polityło TKO (punches) FNC 23

Belgrade, Serbia Loss

Jordan Barton Decision (unanimous) FNC 19

Pula, Croatia Win

Tariel Abbasov Submission (arm-triangle choke) FNC 14

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Win

Savio Chaves TKO (punches) Piaui Pro Fighter 04

Teresina, Brazil Win

Filip Pejić KO (punches) FNC 11

Zagreb, Croatia Loss

Daniel Bažant Decision (unanimous) FNC 5

Zabok, Croatia Loss

Alexander Grozin Decision (unanimous) RCC Intro 6

Yekaterinburg, Russia Win

Edgar Díaz Guzman TKO (punches) LUX 005

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Diego Lopes Decision (unanimous) LUX 004

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Jeremy Kennedy Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum

Fortaleza, Brazil Loss

Dennis Bermudez Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rodríguez vs. Caceres

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States NC

Damon Jackson NC (overturned) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves

Goiânia, Brazil Loss

Robbie Peralta Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale: Miocic vs. Maldonado

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Steven Siler TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Henderson 2

Natal, Brazil Loss

Jeremy Stephens KO (head kick) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 2

Goiânia, Brazil Win

Mike Wilkinson Technical Submission (triangle choke) UFC on Fuel TV: Nogueira vs. Werdum

Fortaleza, Brazil Win

Sam Sicilia TKO (punches) UFC 153

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Win

Godofredo Pepey Decision (unanimous) UFC 147

Belo Horizonte, Brazil Win

Reginaldo Vieira Submission (armbar) Max Fight 10

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Anderson de Deus Submission (arm-triangle choke) High Fight Rock 1

Goiânia, Brazil Win

Marlon Medeiros Submission (triangle choke) Max Fight 9

Campinas, Brazil Win

Diego Ribeiro TKO (punches) Face to Face 4

Recreio dos Bandeirantes, Brazil Win

Jurandir Sardinha Submission (triangle choke) Win Fight & Entertainment 8

Salvador, Brazil Loss

Genair da Silva TKO (doctor stoppage) Platinum Fight Brazil 2

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Felipe Alves Submission (rear-naked choke) Hawk Fight Championship

Rio Negrinho, Brazil Win

Felipe Arantes Submission (triangle choke) Samurai Fight Combat

Curitiba, Brazil Loss

João Paulo Rodrigues Submission (stomp) Platinum Fight Brazil 1

Natal, Brazil Win

Renan Falcon Submission (armbar) Leal Combat MMA

Mossoró, Brazil Loss

Renan Barão Decision (split) Cage Fight Nordeste

Natal, Brazil Win

Fernando Gardner KO (stomp) Hikari Fight

Natal, Brazil Win

Alessandro Cabeca TKO (punches) Nordeste Mega Fight Vale Tudo 2

Mossoró, Brazil Mixed martial arts exhibition record Win

Hugo Viana Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil (airdate)

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Anistavio Medeiros Submission (armbar) The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil (airdate)

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Dileno Lopes TKO (punches) The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil (airdate)

São Paulo, Brazil