Bruno
Henrique Cappelozza came virtually out of nowhere to win the
2021 Professional Fighters League heavyweight championship, but the
momentous occasion took on a different tone when the Brazilian
learned that his father passed away the weekend before his $1
million-winning performance this past October.
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“It was the happiest and saddest day of my life,” Cappelozza said
during a PFL media day. “It was a huge loss for me and my family.
We’re still feeling his absence, but I’m certain of his place in
heaven.
“I know he must be very proud. He always wanted to see me become
a world champion. It was a long-awaited moment. I’m certain he’s
very happy.”
Cappelozza’s championship victory was five-round verdict over
Ante
Delija in rematch of a regular season bout. The second meeting
featured plenty of momentum swings with both heavyweights hurt on
different occasions in the fight, but ultimately Cappelozza did
enough to get the nod on the judges’ scorecards.
He admits that if his family had informed him of his father’s death
before the PFL championship bout, he wouldn’t have made it to the
event.
“It was a very tough decision, not only for my family, but also for
my team,” Cappelozza said. “My mom decided not to tell me because
of the relationship I had with my dad. She knew that if she had
told me, I wouldn’t have fought in the final and I would’ve
returned to Brazil. So I thank my mom and my team from the bottom
of my heart for all the support on the day of the fight.”
Cappelozza will return to try and defend his title on Thursday
night, when he faces Stuart
Austin in the featured bout of a
PFL 2 card at Esports Stadium Arlington in Arlington, Texas.
The evening’s main card airs on ESPN and ESPN+ beginning at 9 p.m.
ET/6 p.m. PT, while prelims stream on ESPN+ beginning at 6 p.m.
ET/3 p.m. PT.
What makes Cappelozza’s previous achievement all the more
remarkable is that the Corinthians MMA product hadn’t fought in
nearly three years when he began the 2021 PFL campaign. His last
appearance was a knockout loss to Jiri
Prochazka at Rizin 11 in July 2018, so there wasn’t much
expectation regarding him making a run. The Sao Paulo native made a
name for himself, however, ripping off four straight wins —
including three finishes — to claim the heavyweight title and the
$1 million prize that accompanies it.
“My main message is to be persistent and to believe in your
dreams,” Cappelozza said. “My time came, so can yours.”