OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. – After months of recovery from a femur fracture, Cassio Dias made his triumphant return to the arena on the second night of Oklahoma Wildcatter Days, delivering a ride that highlighted his resilience and passion for his team – the Kansas City Outlaws.
Dias suffered the injury during the 2024 Unleash The Beast season opener in Tucson on Nov. 18, when he was thrown into the steel chutes while riding Cliff Hanger, fracturing his femur and sidelining him for the start of the 2025 season. After a lengthy rehab process, Dias returned to the arena, proving he can get knocked down but he will get up, even if it’s on one leg.
The Kansas City Outlaws’ coaches made a strategic decision to hold Dias out of Friday night’s competition, knowing the team didn’t need him to secure the win just yet. That extra rest paid off, as Dias came back on Saturday and rode Dynamite for 87.75 points, bringing his team within striking distance of the Texas Rattlers. His performance set up Maikon Calixton Rocha, who sealed the win with an 88.75-point re-ride score on Johnny Rocket, helping the Outlaws secure a 352-264 victory.
“I thank God, and I feel very good after my injury, being here defending my team's color, my team's name and riding with my friends,” Dias said after his ride. “I'm still hurting. I'm still sore, but now I know that I can do my job.”
While Dias had to deal with a new lingering pain in his wrist, his heart and determination were evident as he returned to the bull chutes. His confidence never wavered, even with the soreness he was still working through. He credited the time spent with his family in Brazil as the perfect medicine for his recovery.
“I took some days off. I needed it to clear my head, to stay with my family,” Dias shared. “I went to Brazil, spent time there, relaxed, and had some peace. Now I’m back, training, working out, and I’m sore but I'm getting better every day.”
Though Cassio’s injury had him sidelined, it also allowed him the opportunity to reflect on his journey and focus on what truly matters. The break gave him a chance to bond with his family, and that time away was crucial to his recovery both physically and mentally.
Despite the pain and uncertainty, Dias came back stronger, pushing through the soreness to deliver a crucial ride for his team and looks to build on that at day 3 of Wildcatter Days.
Watching Cassio walk out of Paycom Center after the event with his baby daughter in his arms, it was clear that he has the best of both worlds. Bull riding is still his passion, but family is his driving force.
For Cassio Dias, last night’s ride was more than just a comeback—it was a testament to the power of family, determination, and the heart of a champion. As he heads into the PBR Teams season, he’s not only bringing his best to the arena, but he’s bringing a renewed sense of purpose, stronger than ever.
Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media