Brendson
Ribeiro used his postfight platform to appeal for help finding
his brother, who he said disappeared nearly six months ago.
Ribeiro (18-11, 1 NC) submitted Felipe
Franco (11-3) with a guillotine choke at Meta Apex in Las Vegas
on Saturday, snapping a four-fight losing streak in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship. The Brazilian became emotional
after the victory as he discussed his missing brother.
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Brendson Ribeiro seeks answers about brother missing since
April 27
Speaking through an interpreter after the fight, Ribeiro said his
brother disappeared April 27 in his hometown in Brazil. He said
authorities have yet to provide answers.
“He is my blood brother from my dad’s side,” Ribeiro said at the
UFC Vegas 122 postfight news conference. “On April 27, in the
township that I’m from, the authorities have not said anything. My
family has no voice there. As an athlete that has a platform right
now, I just want to get it out there for someone to help us.
Whether it’s the governor or the mayor or the authorities, just to
help us understand what happened.”
Ribeiro said his family fears his brother is no longer alive but
does not know what happened to him. He appealed for information
that could bring closure to his father, his brother’s wife and the
rest of the family.
“We don’t think that he’s alive anymore,” he added. “We just want
to understand. Give us some closure on this. Help us. Whether it’s
his remains. My dad is suffering. The wife is suffering. The
brothers are suffering. I just want to make sure people understand
we need some closure and some information and hopefully end this
nightmare that’s haunting the entire family.”