Antonio Carlos Junior proud of PFL success after UFC release
Antonio Carlos Junior speaks to MMA Junkie and other media following his win over Sullivan Cauley at Thursday’s 2025 PFL World Tournament 10.
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Antonio Carlos Junior didn’t have an easy road to the 2025 PFL light heavyweight title.
Not only did “Shoeface” have to fight and beat three different opponents in a little more than four months, but he also had to fight himself, as injuries plagued the 27-fight veteran. Carlos Junior (19-6), who submitted Sullivan Cauley (8-2) with a rear-naked choke at 2025 PFL World Tournament 10 to win his second PFL title, battled some serious knee injuries that had him questioning his chances on making history.
“It was great to overcome, especially after a lot of injuries,” Carlos Junior said at the 2025 PFL World Tournament 10 post-fight interview. “I had so many injuries in my knee that sometimes I even doubt myself, but here we are, man, champion again. This is a really special moment.”
Carlos Junior is the first person to become a two-time PFL light heavyweight tournament champion. He won the title in 2021 and now again in 2025. All of this success in PFL, which has spanned over a 9-1 run, came after Carlos Junior getting his walking papers from the UFC – a moment he thought was career-ending for him in MMA.
“They both are really special, and it’s always after a hard time in my life,” Carlos Junior said. “I had a really hard time in 2021. I got out of the UFC. I thought my career in MMA was done, but I come here, and I won the belt, and it was just unbelievable. Then after a lot of injuries, coming back here and fighting against a tough guy and getting another belt. I’m the only one at light heavyweight to win it two times. It’s hard to describe how I’m feeling right now.”
