MC Livinho first gained prominence in the Brazilian music scene in 2008 as a funk singer. However, a connection to combat sports was always a part of him. With the global rise of influencer boxing, he discovered a path to return to his roots and deliver impressive performances in the boxing ring.
Holding a 2-0 record in boxing, with both victories coming via finish against Brazilian personalities Dynho Alves and Felipe Alves, MC Livinho is set to compete again this Saturday. He will face comedian-turned-boxer Lucas Veloso at Fight Music Show 6 in Sao Paulo on May 17, an event considered the country`s premier influencer promotion.
Speaking after a training session at the Fighting Nerds gym in Sao Paulo, MC Livinho (real name Oliver Decesary Santos) commented on his past. “My childhood was very challenging and aggressive,” he shared. “Spiritually and financially, God blessed me, and I achieved great success early in my funk career. I dedicated many years to hard work, and opportunities opened up for me.”
While MC Livinho also pursued football, another passion, boxing ultimately became his chosen sport. He was so naturally talented as a child that he earned a scholarship for a kickboxing class, though he left after only two months. Years later, having achieved success as a *funkeiro* with over 13 million Instagram followers, MC Livinho decided to return to the world of combat.
“My initial experience with boxing was in 2019, and from that moment, I realized it was a way I could release all the anger, trauma, and burdens I was carrying daily,” MC Livinho explained. “Boxing was my salvation. It brought me discipline and put me on the right path. From that point, I faced a challenge – I was among the first *funkeiros* to train boxing, and Dynho Alves challenged me at FMS. That`s when I began preparing to compete against influencers. Thankfully, I`m heading into my third bout after securing two knockout victories.”
“I was initially doing it as a hobby because I genuinely enjoy boxing,” he continued. “But once I was challenged, all fear vanished. I`ve faced so many hardships and street fights throughout my life, so fear isn`t something I dwell on. Nevertheless, it was all very new territory for me. When that invitation came, I simply embraced it and moved forward.”
MC Livinho finished Dynho Alves with a knockdown in 2023 and notably knocked Felipe Alves right out of the ring.
MC Livinho trains under coach Erick Terere at Fighting Nerds and intends to keep competing as long as he finds joy in it. Being in the same gym as UFC athletes like Caio Borralho, Jean Silva, Mauricio Ruffy, and Carlos Prates only fuels his enthusiasm for his journey.
“I arrived here when Caio was on the verge of joining the UFC, and I saw Ruffy, Jean, Prates,” MC Livinho mentioned. “I witnessed their beginnings, their journey to becoming stars. Now they are rising, and there`s still so much potential here, with guys like Jair Farias, Romulo Oliveira, Icaro Brito, Felipe Douglas, and many other formidable fighters ready. They won`t disappoint when they get the opportunity.”
While transitioning to MMA is not something MC Livinho is considering, he does have a specific opponent in mind for a dream boxing match: Whindersson Nunes.
Whindersson Nunes, a well-known Brazilian comedian, secured an amateur win in 2019 but lost an exhibition bout to former world champion Acelino Freitas three years later. Since then, he has accumulated a 1-3 record in exhibitions globally. Nunes was featured on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson in November, where he lost a decision to Neeraj Goyat.
“I would genuinely like to fight Whindersson Nunes, but he doesn`t seem overly interested at the moment,” MC Livinho stated. “I believe he has different plans currently. However, it would be a fight that would significantly benefit the influencer boxing movement. He has shown for a long time that he is passionate about boxing, just as I am.”
