Rodrigo Sezinando returns to UFC after orbital fracture to face Berggren
Rodrigo Sezinando returns to the octagon after more than a season out with an orbital bone fracture and faces Sweden's Theodor Berggren on the UFC Vegas 123 prelims on Saturday. The injury came in the final of the 33rd season of The Ultimate Fighter, in September 2025, and was only diagnosed weeks later.
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Após mais de uma temporada fora por causa de uma fratura no osso orbital, Rodrigo Sezinando está de volta ao octógono. O carioca dos meio-médios (77 kg) enfrenta o sueco Theodor Berggren no card preliminar do UFC Vegas 123, neste sábado (31).
O afastamento começou em setembro de 2025, na final da 33ª edição do "The Ultimate Fighter": saiu nocauteado por Daniil Donchenko no round inicial, amargou o vice-campeonato e ainda levou uma lesão grave, com o osso quebrado em três regiões diferentes.
O diagnóstico, porém, veio atrasado — entre três e quatro semanas depois da luta —, o que inviabilizou a cirurgia. "Só descobri (a fratura) três, quatro semanas após a luta. Infelizmente, já era muito tarde. A cirurgia seria uma coisa muito intrusiva, então a gente optou por deixar recuperar (naturalmente)", contou em entrevista.
Sem a opção cirúrgica, restou esperar a recuperação natural. "Foi um período bem difícil para mim, ficar sem lutar. Sou um cara que gosta de estar sempre ativo, lutando. Mas finalmente, de volta, recuperado e pronto para a guerra", disse.
Em 2026 o lutador voltou ao reality, mas em outra função: depois de competir na temporada anterior, integrou a equipe de treinadores do "Time Daniel Cormier" na 34ª edição. Segundo ele, a exposição rendeu frutos. "Consegui capitalizar bastante fãs. A galera acaba curtindo muito, porque conseguiu ver o meu lado como treinador e o meu lado como atleta", avaliou, citando ainda o título de Tina, brasileira do Rio, no TUF feminino deste ano.
Além de Sezinando, outros quatro brasileiros entram em ação no evento: Renato Moicano encara Tom Nolan no "main event", Luana Santos pega a russa Yana Santos no card principal, e Tainara Lisboa (contra Lucia Szabová) e Talita Alencar (diante de Piera Rodriguez) abrem o show.
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