Yorgan De Castro

Castro was born and raised in the island of St. Vincent, Cape Verde.{{Cite web|title=Yorgan de Castro sabes? Veja quem é a nova sensação do UFC.|url=https://fairplay.pt/modalidades/mma/yorgan-de-castro-ufc-243/|author=Renan Brunacci|date=3 October 2019|website=Fairplay|access-date=1 May 2020}}

At 18 years old he moved to Portugal and started kickboxing training, making his official fighting debut only 6 months after. He dreamed of one day fighting in the big kickboxing promotions K-1 and Glory but never believed it would be possible in Portugal.

Later moving to the US to be with his family, his uncle convinced him to train at Lauzon MMA, owned by the current UFC Fighter Joe Lauzon, where he discovered MMA and started training.

Starting his career in 2017, Castro compiled a 4–0 record fighting mainly for CES MMA. He was invited on Dana White's Contender Series 17 in order to compete for a UFC contract, which successfully gained through a TKO victory against Sanford Alton Meeks

{{Cite web|url=https://www.lowkickmma.com/dana-whites-contender-series-17-results/|title=Dana White's Contender Series 17 Results: Two Fighters Earn Contracts|last=MMA|first=LowKick|date=2019-06-19|website=LowKickMMA.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-19}}

Castro made his UFC debut at UFC 243 on October 6, 2019, against Justin Tafa.{{Cite web|title=Justin Tafa vs. Yorgan De Castro elevated to UFC 243 main card – Fight News Australia|url=https://www.fightnewsaustralia.com/justin-tafa-vs-yorgan-de-castro-elevated-to-ufc-243-main-card/|access-date=2020-10-04|language=en}} He won the fight in the first round via knockout.{{Cite web|last=Anderson|first=Jay|date=2019-10-05|title=UFC 243 Results: Justin Tafa Leveled by Yorgan De Castro|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2019/10/05/ufc-243-results-justin-tafa-vs-yorgan-de-castro/|access-date=2020-10-04|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}} This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus as well.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/10/6/20900977/ufc-243-bonuses-israel-adesanya-rewarded-for-championship-winning-knockout|title=UFC 243 bonuses: Israel Adesanya rewarded for championship-winning knockout|author=Alexander Lee|date=2019-10-06|publisher=mmafighting.com|access-date=2019-10-06}}

Castro was initially scheduled to face Greg Hardy on March 28, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. Rozenstruik.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/12/27/21039775/greg-hardy-vs-yorgan-de-castro-announced-for-ufc-columbus|title=Greg Hardy vs. Yorgan De Castro announced for UFC Columbus|last=Lee|first=Alexander K.|date=2019-12-27|website=MMA Fighting|language=en|access-date=2019-12-28}} Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was eventually postponed .{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/03/ufc-postpones-three-events-coronavirus-pandemic|title=UFC postpones three events amid growing coronavirus outbreak|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King and John Morgan|date=2020-03-15|access-date=2020-03-16}} However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/29018339/dana-white-says-ufc-249-not-happen-april-18|title=Dana White says UFC 249 will not happen April 18|work=espn.com|author=Brett Okamoto|date=2020-04-09|access-date=2020-04-09}} and the bout eventually took place on May 9, 2020.{{Cite web|title=REVISED – UFC 249: Ferguson vs. Gaethje Fight Card {{!}} MMAWeekly.com|url=https://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-249-khabib-vs-ferguson-fight-card|date=2020-04-27|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-03}} Castro lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|title=UFC 249 Results: Greg Hardy Cruises After Yorgan De Castro Injury|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/05/09/ufc-249-results-greg-hardy/|last=Doherty|first=Dan|date=2020-05-09|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-10}}

Castro was briefly linked to a heavyweight bout on October 4, 2020, with Ben Sosoli at UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana. However, Sosoli pulled out of the fight in late July citing an eye surgery and was replaced by Carlos Felipe.{{Cite web|url=https://globoesporte.globo.com/combate/noticia/ultimate-confirma-duelo-entre-carlos-boi-e-yorgan-de-castro-para-evento-em-outubro.ghtml|title=UFC confirms fight between Carlos Boi and Yorgan de Castro for event in October|author=Raphael Marinho and Zeca Azevedo|date=2020-07-30|publisher=globoesporte.globo.com|access-date=2020-07-30}} {{in lang|pt}} He lost the fight via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Doherty|first=Dan|date=2020-10-04|title=UFC Fight Island 4 Results: Carlos Felipe Outworks Yorgan De Castro|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/10/04/ufc-fight-island-4-results-carlos-felipe/|access-date=2020-10-04|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Castro faced Jarjis Danho on April 10, 2021, at UFC on ABC 2.{{Cite web|last=DNA|first=MMA|date=2021-01-16|title=Yorgan de Castro treft Jarjis Danho tijdens UFC evenement op 10 april|url=https://mmadna.nl/yorgan-de-castro-treft-jarjis-danho-tijdens-ufc-evenement-op-10-april/|access-date=2021-01-17|website=MMA DNA|language=en-US}} He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.{{cite web|last=Behunin|first=Alex|title=UFC Vegas 23 Results: Jarjis Danho Knocks Yorgan De Castro Out Cold|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/04/10/ufc-vegas-23-results-jarjis-danho/ |website=Cageside Press|access-date=10 April 2021|date=10 April 2021}}

On April 30, 2021, it was revealed that Castro was no longer with the UFC.{{Cite web|last=Alexander|first=Mookie|date=2021-05-12|title=Oskar Piechota, Yorgan de Castro among nine fighters removed from UFC roster|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2021/5/12/22433208/oskar-piechota-yorgan-de-castro-among-nine-fighters-removed-from-ufc-roster-mma-news|access-date=2021-05-13|website=Bloody Elbow|language=en}}

Castro was scheduled to make his first appearance after his UFC release against Rakim Cleveland on August 6, 2021, at CES 63.{{Cite web|title=Yorgan De Castro will be back in action against Rakim Cleveland on August 6th for CES 63|url=https://twitter.com/alexbehunin/status/1410744296068632577|access-date=2021-07-02|website=Twitter|language=en}} However, Castro announced that he had withdrawn from the bout due to family issues.{{Cite web|title=Castro vs. Cleveland Cancelled|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CR87b8Brd8g/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/yorgan_decastro/2629237687100235552 |archive-date=2021-12-25 |url-access=registration|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-03|website=www.instagram.com}}{{cbignore}}

Castro faced Danyelle Williams on November 7, 2021, at CES 65. He won the bout via unanimous decision.{{Cite web|last=Staff|date=2021-11-07|title=CES 65: De Castro vs. Williams Full Results|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/11/07/ces-65-de-castro-vs-williams-full-results/|access-date=2021-11-08|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}

Castro signed a multi-fight contract with Eagle Fighting Championship and debuted against Shaun Asher on January 28, 2022, at Eagle FC 44.{{Cite web|last=Behunin|first=Alex|date=2021-12-26|title=Yorgan De Castro Signs With Eagle FC, Fight With Shaun Asher In The Works For January|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2021/12/26/yorgan-de-castro-signs-eagle-fc-fight-shaun-asher-works-january/|access-date=2021-12-27|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}} He won the fight via guillotine choke in the first round.{{Cite web|date=2022-01-29|title=Eagle FC 44 video: UFC vet Yorgan De Castro taps Shaun Asher in 64 seconds|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/01/eagle-fc-44-video-ufc-veteran-yorgan-de-castro-taps-shaun-asher-64-seconds|access-date=2022-01-29|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}}

Castro headlined against Junior dos Santos on May 20, 2022, at Eagle FC 47.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-09 |title=Junior dos Santos books May 20 Eagle FC debut |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/33462769/junior-dos-santos-former-ufc-heavyweight-champion-set-eagle-fc-debut-20 |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Castro won the fight via TKO in the third round due to a doctor stoppage after dos Santos suffered a shoulder injury and was unable to continue.{{cite news|title=Eagle FC 47 results: Junior Dos Santos' shoulder pops out, causing TKO loss to Yorgan De Castro|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/05/eagle-fc-27-results-junior-dos-santos-shoulder-pops-out-resulting-in-tko-loss-to-jorgan-de-castro|access-date=21 May 2022|language=en}}

Castro signed with PFL for the 2023 season and was to face off against Ante Delija on April 7, 2023, at PFL 2.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-02 |title=Loughnane-Moraes to kick off 2023 PFL season |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/35576696/brendan-loughnane-marlon-moraes-kick-2023-pfl-season |access-date=2023-02-03 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} However, Delija pulled out due to injury and was replaced by Denis Goltsov.{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=Guilherme |date=2023-03-22 |title=PFL heavyweight champion Ante Delija injured, out of Yorgan de Castro fight on April 7 |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/3/22/23652047/2022-pfl-heavyweight-champion-ante-delija-injured-out-yorgan-de-castro-fight |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} In turn, Goltsov withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Danilo Marques.{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anik |date=2023-04-06 |title=Despite multiple opponent changes, Yorgan De Castro will bring his smile to the smart cage tomorrow |url=https://www.fightbookmma.com/despite-multiple-opponent-changes-yorgan-de-castro-will-bring-his-smile-to-the-smart-cage-tomorrow/ |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=FightBook MMA |language=en-US}} Castro lost the bout by unanimous decision.{{Cite web |title=Danilo Marques steps in as an alternate and spoils Yorgan De Castro's PFL debut |url=https://pflmma.com/news/danilo-marques-steps-in-as-an-alternate-and-spoils-yorgan-de-castros-pfl-debut |access-date=2023-04-10 |website=pflmma.com}}

Castro faced Denis Goltsov on June 16, 2023, at PFL 5.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Alexander K. |date=2023-05-12 |title=PFL announces second-half event lineups following 9 fighters receiving drug test suspensions |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/5/12/23721590/pfl-announces-second-half-event-lineups-following-9-fighters-receiving-drug-test-suspensions |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}} Castro lost the bout by knockout just 18 seconds into the first round.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/2023-pfl-5-live-and-official-results-ante-delija-vs-maurice-greene|title=2023 PFL 5 results: Larissa Pacheco steamrolls, victorious Ante Delija eliminated from playoffs |publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|date=2023-06-17|access-date=2023-06-17}}

After winning two title bouts on the regional US scene, Castro faced Miran Fabjan in the main event of FNC 19 on September 7, 2024, losing the bout in the first round via ground and pound TKO.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-11 |title=Fight Site - (VIDEO) Pogledajte kako je Miran Fabjan ekspresno nokautirao De Castra na FNC-u 19! |url=https://fightsite.hr/fightsite/regija/video-pogledajte-kako-je-miran-fabjan-ekspresno-nokautirao-de-castra-na-fnc-u-19-15501298 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=fightsite.hr |language=hr-hr}}

Castro next fought Jahsua March in the main event of Cage Titans 68 on November 9, 2024 for the promotions Heavyweight title. He would win the fight via first round technical knockout thus becoming the Cage Titans Heavyweight champion, claiming his third Pro Heavyweight Belt in the New England region.https://www.mmamania.com/2024/11/10/24293033/former-ufc-fighter-luis-pena-retires-after-getting-tapped-out-by-a-reverse-triangle-cage-titans-68

Castro made his Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship debut against Bobby Brents on February 1, 2025 at BKFC on DAZN: Mohegan Sun.{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2025/01/bkfc-ufc-news-porter-gromley-decastro-vancamp|title=Four former UFC fighters set to compete at BKFC on DAZN at Mohegan Sun|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Nolan King|date=2025-01-04|access-date=2025-01-06}} He won the fight by technical knockout due to Brents receiving a hematoma at the end of the second round.{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/mma/news/bkfc-on-dazn-4-live-results-highlights-for-julian-lane-vs-cameron-vancamp|title=BKFC on DAZN 4 live results & highlights for Julian Lane vs. Cameron Vancamp|publisher=si.com|author=Christopher De Santiago|date=2025-02-01|access-date=2025-02-01}}

Castro faced Josh Watson on June 14, 2025 at BKFC Fight Night: Mohegan Sun.{{Cite web |title=BKFC FIGHT NIGHT MOHEGAN SUN EVENT {{!}} BKFC |url=https://www.bkfc.com/events/bkfc-mohegan-sun |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=www.bkfc.com |language=en}} He lost the fight by knockout in the first round.{{Cite web |title=BKFC Fight Night Mohegan Sun Results {{!}} BKFC |url=https://www.bkfc.com/news/bkfc-fight-night-mohegan-sun-results |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=www.bkfc.com |language=en}}

Yorgan de Castro has stated that if he had to pick a hero, it would be Daniel Cormier due to his figure (short range and size) for the heavyweight division and unbelievable talent and determination. Yorgan is married and has a daughter born in 2014.

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
• Performance of the Night (One time) {{small|vs. Justin Tafa}}
• Classic Entertainment & Sports MMA
• CES MMA Heavyweight Championship (One time)
• New England Fights
• NEF Heavyweight Championship (One time)
• Cage Titans
• Cage Titans Heavyweight Championship (One time)

{{MMArecordbox

| draws=

| nc=

| ko-wins= 9

| sub-wins= 1

| dec-wins= 2

| ko-losses= 4

| sub-losses=

| dec-losses= 3

| dq-wins=

| dq-losses=

| other-wins=

| other-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|12–7

|Ante Delija

|TKO (punches)

|FNC 22

|{{dts|2025|April|12}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:41

|Ljubljana, Slovenia

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|12–6

|Jahsua Marsh

|TKO (punches)

|Cage Titans 68

|{{dts|2024|November|9}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|4:58

|Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States

|{{small|Won the Cage Titans Heavyweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|11–6

|Miran Fabjan

|TKO (punches)

|FNC 19

|{{dts|2024|September|7}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:08

|Pula, Croatia

|{{small|For the FNC Heavyweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|11–5

|Alex Davidson

|TKO (punches)

|New England Fights 58

|{{dts|2024|June|29}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|4:18

|Lewiston, Maine, United States

|{{small|Won the vacant NEF MMA Heavyweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|10–5

|Kevin Ray Sears

|TKO (punches)

|CES MMA 77

|{{dts|2024|May|3}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|2:42

|Ledyard, Connecticut, United States

|{{small|Won the vacant CES MMA Heavyweight Championship.}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|9–5

|Denis Goltsov

|KO (punch)

|PFL 5 (2023)

|{{dts|2023|June|16}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|0:18

|Atlanta, Georgia, United States

|

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|9–4

|Danilo Marques

|Decision (unanimous)

|PFL 2 (2023)

|{{dts|2023|April|7}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|5:00

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|9–3

|Junior dos Santos

|TKO (shoulder injury)

|Eagle FC 47

|{{dts|2022|May|20}}

|align=center|3

|align=center|0:33

|Miami, Florida, United States

|

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|8–3

|Shaun Asher

|Submission (guillotine choke)

|Eagle FC 44

|{{dts|2022|January|28}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:04

|Miami, Florida, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 7–3

|Danyelle Williams

| Decision (unanimous)

| CES MMA 65

| {{dts|2021|November|7}}

| align=center|3

| align=center|5:00

|Providence, Rhode Island, United States

|

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 6–3

|Jarjis Danho

|KO (punch)

|UFC on ABC: Vettori vs. Holland

|{{dts|2021|April|10}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|3:02

|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 6–2

| Carlos Felipe

| Decision (unanimous)

| UFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana

| {{dts|2020|October|4}}

| align=center| 3

| align=center| 5:00

| Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

|

|-

| {{no2}}Loss

| align=center| 6–1

| Greg Hardy

| Decision (unanimous)

| UFC 249

| {{dts|2020|May|9}}

| align=center|3

| align=center|5:00

| Jacksonville, Florida, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 6–0

| Justin Tafa

| KO (punch)

| UFC 243

| {{dts|2019|October|6}}

| align=center|1

| align=center|2:10

| Melbourne, Australia

| {{small|Performance of the Night.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center| 5–0

| Sanford Alton Meeks

| TKO (leg kick and punches)

| Dana White's Contender Series 17

| {{dts|2019|June|18}}

| align=center| 1

| align=center| 4:45

| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|4–0

| Carlton Little Sr.

| Decision (unanimous)

| CES MMA 54

| {{dts|2019|January|19}}

| align=center|3

| align=center|5:00

| Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States

|{{small|Heavyweight debut.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|3–0

| Ras Hylton

| KO (punch)

| New England Fights 36

| {{dts|2018|November|17}}

| align=center|1

| align=center|2:36

| Portland, Maine, United States

|{{small|Won the vacant NEF MMA Light Heavyweight Championship.}}

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|2–0

| David White

| TKO (punches)

| CES MMA 50

| {{dts|2018|June|15}}

| align=center|3

| align=center|2:20

| Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States

|

|-

| {{yes2}}Win

| align=center|1–0

| James Dysard

| TKO (punches)

| CES MMA 47

| {{dts|2017|November|17}}

| align=center|1

| align=center|0:39

| Lincoln, Rhode Island, United States

|{{small|Light Heavyweight debut; Castro missed weight (208 lb).}}

{{end}}

{{Cite web|last=Sherdog.com|title=Yorgan De Castro|url=https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Yorgan-De-Castro-176091|access-date=2020-08-07|website=Sherdog}}

{{MMArecordbox

|ko-wins=1

|ko-losses=1

|sub-wins=

|sub-losses=

|dec-wins=

|dec-losses=

}}

{{MMA record start}}

|-

|{{no2}}Loss

|align=center|1–1

|Josh Watson

|KO

|BKFC Fight Night: Mohegan Sun

|{{dts|2025|June|14}}

|align=center|1

|align=center|1:53

|Uncasville, Connecticut, United States

|-

|{{yes2}}Win

|align=center|1–0

|Bobby Brents

|TKO (hematoma)

|BKFC on DAZN: Mohegan Sun

|{{dts|2025|February|1}}

|align=center|2

|align=center|2:00

|Uncasville, Connecticut, United States

|-

{{end}}

• List of male mixed martial artists

{{reflist}}

• {{Sherdog|176091}}
• {{UFC|yorgan-de-castro}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Castro, Yorgan}}

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:Heavyweight mixed martial artists

Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing kickboxing

Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters

Category:Sportspeople from Mindelo

Category:Cape Verdean male mixed martial artists

Category:Portuguese male mixed martial artists

Category:Cape Verdean emigrants to Portugal

Category:21st-century Portuguese sportsmen