Fall River UFC Fighter Yorgan De Castro Begins New Chapter as Police Officer

Fall River has welcomed a new class of police officers, but one name immediately stood out.

Yorgan De Castro, a familiar face to fight fans as a former UFC heavyweight and proud Fall River native, officially graduated from the police academy on Friday, January 16, 2026, marking the start of an entirely new chapter in his life. This time, instead of walking into the Octagon, De Castro is stepping onto the streets of the city that’s supported him from the very beginning.

He joined Fun 107’s The MGM Show the following Monday to talk about the career pivot – and the heart behind it.

A Career Shift Rooted in Community

At 39 years old, De Castro said the decision came down to one thing: giving back.

“I was looking to do something to stay in the community,” he explained on the show. “Something that keeps me excited, but also allows me to help people.”

READ MORE: Fall River’s Yorgan De Castro Dominates in Bare Knuckle Debut

For someone who’s competed at the highest levels of combat sports, the move into law enforcement might seem unexpected. For De Castro, however, it felt right. Fall River has shown up for him through every phase of his fighting career – from the UFC to Bare Knuckle bouts – and now, he wants to return that support in a meaningful way.

Get our free mobile app

First Day on the Job Is Coming Soon

While he’s officially a graduate, De Castro hasn’t hit the streets just yet. After completing the academy, recruits were given a short break, with De Castro’s first official shift scheduled for January 28, 2026.

And yes, he admits the nerves are real.

“It’s a different kind of nervous,” he said. “Just like before a fight, I want to perform. I want to do good in the community. I want to help people on the worst day of their life.”

The Academy Challenge: Mind Over Muscle

Despite his elite athletic background, De Castro said the toughest part of the academy wasn’t physical. It was academic.

English is his third language, behind Portuguese and Creole, and the early months of training were heavily classroom-based, focusing on constitutional law, criminal law, and how to apply those lessons in real-world situations.

“That was the biggest challenge for me,” he admitted. “Understanding the law and applying it correctly.”

Still, he pushed through, leaning on discipline, communication skills, and determination, the same qualities that carried him through years of professional fighting.

A Multilingual Bridge for a Multicultural City

One of De Castro’s biggest strengths may be what happens before any physical presence is felt: communication.

Fall River is a deeply multicultural city, and De Castro believes his ability to speak multiple languages can help bridge gaps between residents and the department.

“If I can be the voice and close that gap between the people and the department, I want to do that,” he said. “A lot of problems in life come from miscommunication.”

Still Himself, Just With a Badge

Yes, the beard had to go during training (six months without it, no less), but the good news? Fall River PD allows officers to express themselves – beards, tattoos, and all – as long as the job gets done.

While De Castro may be trading gloves for a badge, one thing hasn’t changed: his pride in representing Fall River. As we joked on the show, if he’s knocking on your door, it’s probably best to cooperate (kidding, of course). In all seriousness, the city is lucky to have him.

Congratulations to Officer Yorgan De Castro on an incredible achievement and a powerful new mission. Fall River’s newest protector is officially on the beat, and his community is cheering him on once again.