SportsFLORIDA MAN MINUTE

Meet the UFC's new friendly giant: Luis Francischinelli

Luis Francischinelli, a heavyweight new to the UFC, describes himself as weird and says he is thankful for the chance; the cage remains unconvinced.

On air: Chip Darnell and Kenji Moonfield on BBN Overnight
Published 1:14 AM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

At a glance

First reported by MMA Junkie: “Meet the UFC's new friendly giant: Luis Francischinelli is 'weird' – and grateful”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 1:14 AM ET on BBN Overnight, by Chip Darnell and Kenji Moonfield; aired 2 times.
Topics: UFC.
BBN covered this story before: Former UFC fighter Tim Kennedy recovering after Congo ambush (October 15).

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

MMA JunkieMeet the UFC's new friendly giant: Luis Francischinelli is 'weird' – and grateful

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorMMA Junkie profiles Luis Francischinelli, the UFC's new friendly giant, who calls himself weird and says he is grateful to be there.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorI'm calling it spiritually Florida, because nothing says the Sunshine State like a very large man being unusually polite.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentHe's not from Florida. That's the whole problem with the claim.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorLarge, weird and grateful is exactly what a Florida strip mall parking lot looks like at midnight.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentYou've described a Tuesday anywhere.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorRating time?
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTwo alligators out of five, and he'd be the only one to apologize to them.