Yorgan De Castro

Yorgan De Castro is a Cape Verdean heavyweight striker nicknamed "The Mad Titan" who earned his UFC contract through Dana White's Contender Series in 2019 with an undefeated 4-0 regional record. Born on the island of St. Vincent in Cape Verde, De Castro moved to Portugal at 18 to pursue kickboxing before relocating to the United States to train MMA under Joe Lauzon. His UFC debut at UFC 243 showcased his explosive finishing power: a first-round knockout of Justin Tafa that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus and announced his arrival at heavyweight.

However, De Castro's time in the UFC proved difficult. He lost three consecutive bouts to Greg Hardy, Carlos Felipe, and Jarjis Danho between May 2020 and April 2021, the final loss a devastating first-round knockout that led to his release. De Castro's record in those losses reflects a fighter still learning the nuances of elite-level MMA: he went 0-3 against polished opponents with superior wrestling, fight IQ, and adaptability. His style, built on aggressive striking and kickboxing fundamentals, has proven volatile at the highest level.

Since his UFC release, De Castro has fought across multiple promotions. He signed with Eagle Fighting Championship and scored notable victories, including a first-round submission over Shaun Asher and a TKO over former heavyweight contender Junior dos Santos. He competed in the PFL's 2023 heavyweight tournament but exited early. Most recently, De Castro captured a Cage Titans Heavyweight Championship in November 2024, demonstrating his competitive mettle on the regional circuit. Now in his late 30s and pursuing bare-knuckle boxing, De Castro remains an active heavyweight with significant knockout equity, though his trajectory suggests he may be better suited to regional promotions than a return to the UFC's elite tier.