TLDR
- Brendson Ribeiro submitted Felipe Franco with a guillotine choke at UFC Vegas 122
- Ribeiro’s brother disappeared April 27 in their hometown in Brazil
- The fighter made an emotional appeal for help during the postfight news conference
- Authorities have not provided answers about the disappearance for nearly six months
- Ribeiro’s family fears his brother is no longer alive but seeks closure
Sources: sherdog.com | sports.yahoo.com | cagesidepress.com
Brendson Ribeiro turned his UFC victory into a public plea for help finding his brother, who disappeared nearly six months ago in Brazil.
Ribeiro submitted Felipe Franco with a guillotine choke at UFC Vegas 122 in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The win ended a four-fight losing streak for the Brazilian fighter.
UNDERDOG. HUNGRY DOG. 😤
Brendson Ribeiro gets the MASSIVE submission win!
[ #UFCVegas122 | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/gRYwvO6Kq4
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) October 10, 2026
After the fight, Ribeiro became emotional as he discussed his missing brother during the postfight news conference.
Brother Disappeared in April With No Answers
Speaking through an interpreter, Ribeiro said his brother vanished on April 27 in their hometown in Brazil. He explained that local authorities have not provided any information about what happened.
“He is my blood brother from my dad’s side,” Ribeiro said. “On April 27, in the township that I’m from, the authorities have not said anything.”
Ribeiro said his family has no influence with local officials. As a professional athlete with a platform, he wanted to use the opportunity to ask for help.
“My family has no voice there,” he said. “As an athlete that has a platform right now, I just want to get it out there for someone to help us.”
The fighter appealed directly to government officials. He asked whether the governor, mayor, or other authorities could assist the family in understanding what happened to his brother.
Family Seeks Closure After Six Months
Ribeiro said his family believes his brother is no longer alive. However, they have no information about his fate and desperately want closure.
“We don’t think that he’s alive anymore,” Ribeiro said. “We just want to understand. Give us some closure on this.”
He explained that multiple family members are suffering without answers. His father, his brother’s wife, and other relatives continue to struggle with the uncertainty.
“My dad is suffering. The wife is suffering. The brothers are suffering,” he said. “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.”
Ribeiro said the family would accept any information, even if it only provides them with his brother’s remains.
The victory over Franco came after Ribeiro missed weight on Friday. He weighed in over the light heavyweight limit for the scheduled bout.
Despite the rough start to fight week, Ribeiro secured the finish at 1:49 of the first round. Franco shot in for a takedown, but Ribeiro immediately locked up the guillotine choke and jumped guard to secure the submission.
The win improved Ribeiro’s record to 18-11 with one no contest. Franco dropped to 11-3 with the loss.
Ribeiro’s brother disappeared on April 27, and the family has received no updates from authorities in the nearly six months since.
