Brazil has produced some of the most legendary fighters in UFC history, establishing the nation as a powerhouse in the world of mixed martial arts. From the gritty favelas to the bustling cities, Brazilian fighters have brought a unique blend of skill, heart, and passion to the Octagon, captivating fans worldwide. Let’s Check out the Top 10 Brazilian Fighters of UFC All Time.
Marco Ruas(9-4-2,2KO)
Marco Antônio de Lima Ruas is a Brazilian former mixed martial arts fighter, submission wrestler, kickboxer, and instructor. Marco debuted in the UFC on December 16, 1995, at UFC 7. In his first fight in the UFC, Ruas faced Paul Varelans in the tournament semifinals.
Ruas showcased his expertise in Vale Tudo (Brazilian style of MMA) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, securing a victory via TKO in the first round. Ruas went on to win the UFC 7 tournament, defeating Paul Varelans in the final later that night, further establishing himself as a pioneer and skilled competitor in the early days of the UFC.
Demian Maia(28-11,3KO)
Demian Augusto Maia Baptista is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, submission grappler, and 5th-degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Maia competed in both the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Maia made his UFC debut on October 20, 2007, at UFC 77. In his first fight, he faced Ryan Jensen and demonstrated his BJJ prowess by securing a victory via rear-naked choke in the first round. This impressive debut marked the beginning of a storied career in the UFC, where Maia consistently showcased his grappling excellence.
Gleison Tibau (38-19,4KO)
Janigleison Herculano Alves, better known as Gleison Tibau, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division. Tibau made his UFC debut in 2006 and quickly became known for his extraordinary strength, endurance, and ability to control his opponents on the ground.
Over the years, he has faced some of the most formidable names in the sport, earning respect for his resilience and tenacity inside the Octagon. With one of the longest tenures in UFC history, Tibau has participated in numerous memorable bouts, contributing to the lightweight division’s depth and excitement.
Murilo Bustamante(15-8-1,7KO)
Murilo Bustamante is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Middleweight Champion.Murilo debut in UFC on May 4, 2002, at UFC 35. In his first fight in the UFC, Bustamante faced off against Dave Menne for the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Bustamante showcased his ground game prowess and secured a submission victory via triangle choke in the second round, becoming the UFC Middleweight Champion. This victory marked a significant moment in his career and solidified his reputation as a skilled and formidable fighter in the middleweight division.
Ronaldo Souza(26-10-1,8KO)
Ronaldo Souza dos Santos, nicknamed “Jacare,” is a former Brazilian professional mixed martial artist, submission grappler, and 4th-degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Known for his exceptional grappling ability and powerful striking, Souza has made a significant impact in the middleweight division of the UFC and other MMA organizations.
Souza made his UFC debut on May 18, 2013, at UFC on FX 8, where he faced Chris Camozzi. Jacaré showcased his elite grappling skills by securing a victory in the first-round arm-triangle choke submission. This impressive debut set the tone for his career in the UFC, where he continued to display his formidable BJJ and MMA skills.
Renan Barao(36-10-2,8KO)
Renan Barao is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and a former UFC Bantamweight Champion. He held one of the longest unbeaten streaks in MMA history – following a loss in his professional debut, he recorded 35 straight fights without a loss over a span of ten years.
Barao debuted in UFC on May 28, 2011, at UFC 130, where he faced Cole Escovedo. Barao showcased his well-rounded skill set and secured a unanimous decision victory, making an immediate impression in the bantamweight division. Renan contributions to the bantamweight division and his influence on aspiring fighters in Brazil and around the world have cemented his status as one of the notable figures in MMA history.
Alexandre Pantoja(28-5,8KO)
Alexandre Pantoja is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Flyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he is the current UFC Flyweight Champion. Alexandre is #10 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Alexandre debuted in the UFC on June 25, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter 25 Finale. In his first fight in the UFC, Pantoja faced Eric Shelton in a flyweight bout. Pantoja showcased his well-rounded skills, utilizing his striking and grappling to secure a unanimous decision victory after three rounds of competitive action.
Deiveson Figueiredo(23-3-1,9KO)
Deiveson Figueiredo is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He has also competed in the Flyweight division, where he is a former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion.
Deiveson Figueiredo debuted in the UFC on June 3, 2017, at UFC 212 against Marco Beltrán, securing victory with a second-round TKO. It marked the beginning of Figueiredo’s impressive career in the promotion, showcasing his skills early on in the flyweight division.
Alex Pereira(11-2,9KO)
Alex Sandro Silva Pereira is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he is the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and a former UFC Middleweight Champion.
Alex Pereira debuted in the UFC on October 9, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez. In his first fight, he delivered a decisive first-round knockout against Andreas Michailidis, demonstrating his formidable striking skills and making a strong impression in the promotion.
Edson Barboza(24-12,14KO)
Edson Mendes Barboza Júnior is a Brazilian and American professional mixed martial artist and former Muay Thai kickboxer. He currently competes in the Featherweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and has formerly competed at Lightweight. He made his UFC debut in 2010, showcasing his striking prowess with a memorable TKO victory.
Throughout his career, Barboza has delivered some of the most spectacular knockouts in UFC history, including his iconic spinning wheel kick knockout against Terry Etim, which is often cited as one of the greatest knockouts of all time. These achievements makes Edson one of the Top 10 Brazilian Fighters of UFC All Time. Also, check out the list of Top 10 Australian UFC Fighters of All Time.
