Growing up, Guido practised kickboxing and Muay Thai with his brother Bruno, who is also a professional mixed martial artist.[5]
Mixed martial arts career
Guido Cannetti became a professional mixed martial arts fighter in 2007. He won his MMA debut fight by submitting Santiago Terbalca in a Featherweight bout. On his second fight, he defeated Enrique Chimeyo to remain unbeaten. For his next fight, Cannetti moved up to Lightweight division in order to face Cristiano Marcello at the Bitetti Combat 8 event in Brazil. He lost the fight via first-round submission.
Cannetti returned from his loss and entered in a four-fight winning streak by defeating Benjamín Arroyo. He was expected to face up David "Escorpión" Ibérico in a Conviction MMA event to be held in Argentina. On July 7, 2012, the promotion announced that Ibérico withdrew from the fight after suffering a shoulder injury. Cannetti instead faced Jack Guzmán in a bout that marked his return to Featherweight division. He won the fight via first-round knockout. Then he defeated Bellator MMA and WEC veteran Rafael Dias in just 11 seconds in a fight that marked his return to Brazil.
Subsequently, Cannetti tried out for UFC's Latin America developmental program and was accepted into it.[6] As a result, Cannetti moved down to Bantamweight division and begun training at the Jackson's MMA academy at UFC's expense.[6] While in Albuquerque, he defeated Eliazar Rodriguez in a bout that closed his four-fight winning streak before trying out for The Ultimate Fighter in 2014.
Over the course of the show, Cannetti was defeated in the first round of tournament by Marco Beltrán via majority decision after two rounds.[8]Ecuadorian fighter and Team Werdum teammate Marlon Vera was withdrew the tournament after a skin infection and was replaced by Guido Cannetti. Cannetti was defeated by Alejandro Pérez in semi-finals of tournament via first-round knockout.[9]
Cannetti was given a 10 month suspension after testing positive for multiple prohibited substances from a contaminated supplement. Cannetti tested positive for ostarine, the stanozolol metabolites 16β-hydroxystanozolol and 4β-hydroxystanozolol, as well as hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide, following an out-of-competition test conducted on October 5, 2016.[16]
Cannetti faced Marlon Vera on November 17, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 140.[21] After being knocked down, he lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round two.[22]
Cannetti faced Danaa Batgerel on March 7, 2020 at UFC 248.[23] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[24]
Cannetti was scheduled to face Mario Bautista on August 28, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 30.[25] However, Bautista tested positive for COVID-19 and was pulled from the card,[26] and he was replaced by Mana Martinez.[27] At the weigh-ins, Martinez weighed in at 140 pounds, four pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and he forfeited 30% of his purse to Cannetti.[28] Cannetti lost the fight via split decision.[29]
Cannetti faced Kris Moutinho on March 12, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 203.[30] He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[31]
The match between Bautista and Mario Bautista was rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 221 on March 11, 2023.[35] He lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[36]
After his loss, it was announced that Cannetti was no longer on the UFC roster.[37]