At 35 years old, the clock is ticking on Raphael Assuncao’s career. He’s been competing in MMA professionally for over 14 years now. Like any professional fighter, he has suffered his fair share of injuries. From broken limbs, to surgeries, to nasal fractures, Raphael has experienced many of the least pleasant aspects of the fight game. Despite his unwavering ability to remain close to the top of the heap, Raphael has never fought for the belt.
The closest he ever came to fighting for the belt was in 2014. At 6-0 in the UFC bantamweight division, Raphael was to be booked against then-champion Renan Barao.