SAO PAULO – MC Livinho initially rose to prominence in the Brazilian music scene in 2008 as a funk performer. However, combat sports were always a passion for him. With the global rise of influencer boxing, he found a way to return to his roots and land knockouts in the boxing ring.
Holding a professional boxing record of 2-0 with consecutive finishes over Brazilian celebrities Dynho Alves and Felipe Alves, MC Livinho is set to compete again on May 17 in Sao Paulo. His next opponent at Fight Music Show 6, the country`s most significant influencer boxing event, will be comedian-turned-boxer Lucas Veloso.
Speaking after a training session at the Fighting Nerds gym in Sao Paulo, MC Livinho (real name Oliver Decesary Santos) shared insights into his past. “I experienced a very challenging and aggressive childhood,” he said. He added, “God blessed me spiritually and financially, and I achieved great success when I began my career in funk music. I dedicated many years to hard work, and opportunities opened up for me.”
MC Livinho also pursued football (soccer), another sport he was passionate about, but boxing ultimately became his path in sports. As a child, his talent was such that he earned a scholarship for a kickboxing class, though he left after just two months. Years later, having achieved fame as a funk artist with over 13 million followers on Instagram, MC Livinho decided to return to combat sports.
“My first exposure to boxing was in 2019, and from that point on, I realized I could channel all my anger and trauma, everything I carried with me daily,” MC Livinho explained. “Boxing saved me. It brought me discipline, put me in a better mental space, and that`s when I was challenged. I was one of the first funk artists training boxing, and I was challenged by Dynho Alves through FMS. That moment marked the beginning of my preparation to compete against influencers, and thankfully, I am now preparing for my third match after securing two knockout wins.”
“Initially, I was participating as a hobby because I enjoy boxing,” he continued, “but once I received that challenge, I felt no fear. I`ve faced numerous difficulties in my life, including many street fights, so the concept of fear is unfamiliar. However, the structured fighting environment was new to me. But after receiving that invitation, I simply moved forward.”
In 2023, MC Livinho knocked down Dynho Alves to secure the finish. He also remarkably knocked Felipe Alves completely out of the ring during their bout.
MC Livinho trains with coach Erick Terere at Fighting Nerds and intends to continue boxing as long as he finds it enjoyable. Training alongside UFC talents at the gym, including Caio Borralho, Jean Silva, Mauricio Ruffy, and Carlos Prates, only increases his excitement for his journey in the sport.
Commenting on his gym mates, MC Livinho stated, “I joined this gym when Caio was on the cusp of entering the UFC, and I saw Ruffy, Jean, and Prates.” He added, “I witnessed their beginnings, their rise to becoming notable fighters. They are currently ascending, and there are many more talented individuals here ready to compete, like Jair Farias, Romulo Oliveira, Icaro Brito, and Felipe Douglas. These many `monsters` will not disappoint when they get their opportunity.”
While MC Livinho has no plans to transition from boxing to MMA, he does have a specific opponent in mind for a dream match in the boxing ring: Whindersson Nunes.
Whindersson Nunes, a popular Brazilian comedian, won an amateur match in 2019. Three years later, he lost an exhibition bout against former world champion Acelino Freitas and has since accumulated a 1-3 record in exhibition fights globally. Nunes recently fought on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event in November, where he lost by decision to Neeraj Goyat.
“I would genuinely like to face Whindersson Nunes, but he doesn`t seem very interested at the moment,” MC Livinho commented. “I believe he has different plans now, but that particular fight would significantly contribute to the influencer boxing movement. He has demonstrated his love for boxing for a considerable time, just as I have.”
Marcus Blakely