Raush Manfio’s talents made him a millionaire.
The Brazilian entered his life-altering 2021 campaign as just another name on the Professional Fighters League’s lightweight roster and emerged as the organization’s last man standing at 155 pounds. Manfio made the most of his opportunities. He filled in for an injured Olivier Aubin-Mercier on short notice at PFL 1 on April 23, went 2-0 during the regular season and completed his unlikely climb to the top with tournament victories over Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Clay Collard in the semifinals and Loik Radzhabov in the final.