Prior to pursuing a full-time career in fighting, Ferreira worked as a private security guard and construction worker. His journey began with training in jiu-jitsu at a social project for low-income kids in Brasilia in 2013. Three years later, upon moving to Rio de Janeiro, he left his previous jobs behind to focus exclusively on MMA.[2]
His move to Rio marked a turning point in his cage career, as he trained at the gym of MMA legends, the twins Big Nog and Lil Nog. At the gym, he interacted with former UFC stars like Jacare Souza and Junior dos Santos.[3][2]
Additionally, Ferreira was invited to portray Werdum in a biographical film about jiu-jitsu legend Fernando Tererê, titled "O Faixa Preta."[4]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Ferreira started his professional MMA career in 2013 and amassed a record of 5–1 prior to signing with the Legacy Fighting Alliance.[5][6]
Legacy Fighting Alliance
In his LFA debut, Ferreira faced Brett Martin on June 28, 2019, at LFA 70. He lost the bout by disqualification as a result of illegal strikes.[7][8]
Ferreira faced Jared Vanderaa on August 30, 2019, at LFA 74. He won the bout via triangle choke submission in the second round.[9]
Professional Fighters League
2021 season
Ferreira made his promotional debut against Fabrício Werdum on May 6, 2021, at PFL 3.[10] He initially won the fight via technical knockout in the first round. However, the result was surrounded by controversy as replays showed Ferreira tapping out while Werdum had him locked into a triangle choke right before Ferreira finished Werdum.[11] On May 10, the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board announced that Ferreira's TKO win against Werdum was overturned to a no contest due to the controversy of the stoppage.[12][13]
Ferreira was scheduled to face 2019 Professional Fighters League season Heavyweight Champion Ali Isaev on June 25, 2021, at PFL 6.[14] However, Isaev was forced to withdraw from the event after not being medically cleared to compete and was replaced by PFL newcomer Stuart Austin.[15] Austin however was pulled from the bout due to unknown reasons and replaced by returning PFL fighter, Carl Seumanutafa.[16] Ferreira won the bout via unanimous decision.[17][18]
2022 season
Starting off the 2022 season, Ferreira faced Jamelle Jones on April 28, 2022, at PFL 2.[19] He won the bout by first-round knockout.[20]
Ferreira faced Klidson Abreu on June 24, 2022, at PFL 5.[21] He initially lost the bout via unanimous decision.[22] However, the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission overturned the result of the bout to a no contest, after Abreu failed a drug test for unspecified substances.[23]
Ferreira faced Ante Delija on August 13, 2022, at PFL 8. He lost the bout by first-round TKO.[24]
2023 season
Ferreira started off the 2023 season against Rizvan Kuniev on April 7, 2023, at PFL 2.[25] He initially lost the fight by unanimous decision but the result was changed to a no contest when Kuniev failed a drug test.[26][27]
Ferreira faced Matheus Scheffel on June 16, 2023, at PFL 5.[28] He won the bout by first-round knockout.[29][30]
In the semi-finals, Ferreira faced Maurice Greene on August 18, 2023, at PFL 8.[31] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[32]
Heading into the finals of the heavyweight tournament, Ferreira faced Denis Goltsov on November 24, 2023, at PFL 10.[33] He won the bout by second-round TKO to win the 2023 Heavyweight tournament and the $1 million collective prize.[34]
Originally a TKO (punches) win for Ferreira; later ruled a no contest after it was determined Ferreira tapped out to a triangle choke applied by Werdum.
