Carlos Diego Ferreira
Brazilian mixed martial artist
Carlos Diego Ferreira Neves [ 5] (born January 18, 1985) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist , currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship . He is the former Legacy FC lightweight champion,[ 6] and vacated the championship in May 2014 to sign with UFC.[ 7]
Background
Born in Careiro da Várzea , Amazonas , Brazil, Ferreira grew up playing soccer, and his first martial art was capoeira .[ 8] At the age of 10 Ferreira started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He moved to the United States in 2008 to make a career out of jiu-jitsu like his idol Ronaldo Souza .[ 9]
Mixed martial arts career
Despite faring fairly well in jiu-jitsu competition, he never captured gold in big tournaments and was forced to start teaching the sport to make a living.[ 9] Subsequently Ferreira made his professional mixed martial arts debut on April 15, 2011, when he faced Joseph Daily at STFC 15. He won the fight via a split decision.[ 10] Following this, Ferreira would compile an undefeated record of 9–0, also capturing the Legacy FC Lightweight Championship from Jorge Patino at Legacy FC 25.[ 11] Ferreira would vacate the title in May 2014, when he signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship .
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In his debut, Ferreira faced Colton Smith at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens on June 28, 2014.[ 12] He won the fight via submission (rear-naked choke),[ 13] winning a Performance of the Night bonus for the victory.[ 14]
For his second fight in the promotion, Ferreira faced Ramsey Nijem at UFC 177 on August 30, 2014.[ 15] He won the back and forth battle via technical knockout due to punches,[ 16] winning another bonus (this time as Fight of the Night ).[ 17]
Ferreira next faced Beneil Dariush on October 25, 2014, at UFC 179 .[ 18] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[ 19]
Ferreira faced Dustin Poirier on April 4, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 63 .[ 20] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[ 21]
Ferreira faced Olivier Aubin-Mercier on January 30, 2016, at UFC on Fox 18 .[ 22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 23]
Ferreira was expected to face Abel Trujillo on May 29, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 88 .[ 24] However, Ferreira was removed from the fight on May 13 after it was announced that he had been flagged for a potential anti-doping policy violation.[ 25] He was replaced by promotional newcomer Jordan Rinaldi.[ 26]
On December 21, 2016, Ferreira accepted a 17-month sanction by the US Anti-Doping Agency for an anti-doping violation after declaring the use of a product that listed and contained a prohibited substance and testing positive for another prohibited substance.[ 27]
Ferreira faced Jared Gordon on February 18, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros .[ 28] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[ 29]
Ferreira was expected to face John Makdessi on December 8, 2018, at UFC 231 .[ 30] However, on November 28, 2018, it was reported that Makdessi was removed from the card and was replaced by Jesse Ronson .[ 31] However, on December 4, 2018. It was announced that Ronson was pulled out of the fight due to being too heavy to safely make Lightweight and was released from UFC.[ 32] Ronson was replaced by newcomer Kyle Nelson .[ 33] Ferreira won the fight via TKO in the second round.[ 34]
Ferreira faced Rustam Khabilov on February 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 145 .[ 35] At the weigh-ins, Ferreira weighted at 157 pounds, 1 pound and over the lightweight non-title fight limit of 156. He was fined 20% of his purse which went to his opponent Khabilov.[ 36] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 37]
Ferreira was scheduled to face Francisco Trinaldo on May 11, 2019, at UFC 237 .[ 38] However, Ferreira was forced out of the bout on weigh-in day as he was deemed medically unfit due to a weight cutting issue. As a result, the bout was cancelled.[ 39]
Ferreira faced Mairbek Taisumov on September 7, 2019, at UFC 242 .[ 40] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[ 41]
Ferreira faced Anthony Pettis on January 18, 2020, at UFC 246 .[ 42] Ferreira defeated Pettis by submission in the second round.[ 43] This win earned him a Performance of the Night award.[ 44]
As the first fight of his new five-fight contract, Ferreira was scheduled to face Drew Dober on May 2, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Weidman .[ 45] [ 46] However, on April 9, Dana White , the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed to a future date[ 47] The bout with Dober was rescheduled and was expected to take place on November 7, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira .[ 48] In turn, Ferreira pulled out on October 22 due to an illness.[ 49]
A rematch with Beneil Dariush took place on February 6, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 184 .[ 50] He lost the fight via split decision.[ 51] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[ 52]
Ferreira faced Gregor Gillespie on May 8, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 24 .[ 53] At the weigh-ins, Ferreira weighed in at 160.5 pounds, four and a half pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 30% of his purse, which went to Gillespie.[ 54] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.[ 55] The bout was named Fight of the Night , but Ferreira was not eligible to receive the award after missing weight and the full bonus went to Gillespie.[ 56]
Ferreira was scheduled to face Grant Dawson on October 2, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 193 .[ 57] However, Ferreira pulled out of the fight in early-September citing an injury.[ 58]
Ferreira faced Mateusz Gamrot on December 19, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus .[ 59] He lost the bout in the second round after verbally tapping due to a knee to his ribs.[ 60]
Ferreira was scheduled to face Drakkar Klose on July 30, 2022, at UFC 277 .[ 61] However, Ferreira was forced out the event due an injury.[ 62]
Ferreira faced Michael Johnson on May 20, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 223 .[ 63] He won the fight via knockout out in round two.[ 64] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.[ 65]
Ferreira faced Mateusz Rębecki on May 11, 2024, at UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento .[ 66] He won the fight by technical knockout from ground punches at the end of the third round.[ 67] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[ 68]
Ferreira is scheduled to face Grant Dawson on January 18, 2025, at UFC 311 .[ 69]
Personal life
Ferreira worked as a salesman in a mattress store before getting signed to the UFC. He is married to Yvonne Ferreira, and has five children, with his youngest daughter being born in September 2023.[ 9] [ 70] [ 71] [ 72]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
24 matches
19 wins
5 losses
By knockout
5
3
By submission
7
0
By decision
7
2
Res.
Record
Opponent
Method
Event
Date
Round
Time
Location
Notes
Win
19–5
Mateusz Rębecki
TKO (punches)
UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento
May 11, 2024
3
4:51
St. Louis, Missouri , United States
Performance of the Night.
Win
18–5
Michael Johnson
KO (punch)
UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill
May 20, 2023
2
1:50
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Performance of the Night.
Loss
17–5
Mateusz Gamrot
TKO (submission to knee to the body)
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus
December 18, 2021
2
3:26
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Loss
17–4
Gregor Gillespie
TKO (elbows and punches)
UFC on ESPN: Rodriguez vs. Waterson
May 8, 2021
2
4:51
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Catchweight (160.5 lb) bout; Ferreira missed weight. Fight of the Night.
Loss
17–3
Beneil Dariush
Decision (split)
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Volkov
February 6, 2021
3
5:00
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Fight of the Night.
Win
17–2
Anthony Pettis
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC 246
January 18, 2020
2
1:46
Las Vegas, Nevada , United States
Performance of the Night.
Win
16–2
Mairbek Taisumov
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 242
September 7, 2019
3
5:00
Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Win
15–2
Rustam Khabilov
Decision (unanimous)
UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos
February 23, 2019
3
5:00
Prague , Czech Republic
Catchweight (157 lb) bout; Ferreira missed weight.
Win
14–2
Kyle Nelson
TKO (punches)
UFC 231
December 8, 2018
2
1:23
Toronto, Ontario , Canada
Win
13–2
Jared Gordon
TKO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Medeiros
February 18, 2018
1
1:58
Austin, Texas , United States
Win
12–2
Olivier Aubin-Mercier
Decision (unanimous)
UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Bader
January 30, 2016
3
5:00
Newark, New Jersey , United States
Loss
11–2
Dustin Poirier
KO (punches)
UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas
April 4, 2015
1
3:45
Fairfax, Virginia , United States
Loss
11–1
Beneil Dariush
Decision (unanimous)
UFC 179
October 25, 2014
3
5:00
Rio de Janeiro , Brazil
Win
11–0
Ramsey Nijem
TKO (punches)
UFC 177
August 30, 2014
2
1:53
Sacramento, California , United States
Fight of the Night.
Win
10–0
Colton Smith
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens
June 28, 2014
1
0:38
San Antonio, Texas United States
Performance of the Night.
Win
9–0
Jorge Patino
Decision (unanimous)
Legacy FC 25
November 15, 2013
5
5:00
Houston, Texas , United States
Won the Legacy FC Lightweight Championship.
Win
8–0
Chris Feist
Decision (unanimous)
Legacy FC 24
October 11, 2013
3
5:00
Dallas, Texas , United States
Win
7–0
Carlo Prater
Decision (unanimous)
Legacy FC 20
May 31, 2013
3
5:00
Corpus Christi, Texas , United States
Win
6–0
Danny Salinas
Submission (rear-naked choke)
STFC 24
February 22, 2013
2
1:41
McAllen, Texas , United States
Won the STFC Lightweight Championship.
Win
5–0
Jorge Cortez
Submission (kimura)
STFC 23
December 7, 2012
1
0:43
McAllen, Texas , United States
Welterweight bout.
Win
4–0
Travonne Hobbs
Submission (arm-triangle choke)
UWF 4
June 30, 2012
2
1:57
Corpus Christi, Texas , United States
Lightweight debut.
Win
3–0
Hector Muñoz
Submission (armbar)
UWF 2
May 4, 2012
1
3:38
Corpus Christi, Texas , United States
Welterweight debut.
Win
2–0
Clint Roberts
Submission (rear-naked choke)
UWF 1
November 26, 2011
2
0:39
Pharr, Texas , United States
Win
1–0
Joseph Daily
Decision (split)
STFC 15
April 15, 2011
3
3:00
McAllen, Texas , United States
Middleweight debut.
[ 74]
See also
References
^ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Mendes vs. Lamas" . UFC.com. Retrieved April 5, 2015 .
^ John Morgan (December 4, 2018). "With little time to plan for late opponent change, Diego Ferreira ready to just bang it out at UFC 231" . mmajunkie.com.
^ MMA Fighting (January 31, 2016). UFC on Fox 18: Diego Ferreira Hasn't 'Forgotten' Who Beat Him – via YouTube.
^ "Diego Ferreira | UFC" . UFC.com . September 14, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2021 .
^ Sherdog.com. "Diego Ferreira MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com" . Sherdog . Retrieved November 3, 2024 .
^ "Carlos Diego Ferreira Dethrones Jorge Patino at Legacy 25 MMA Video" .
^ Zane Simon (March 22, 2014) UFC signs Carlos Diego Ferreira and Alexis Dufresne . bloodyelbow.com
^ Emil Fischer (August 28, 2014). "Texas' best kept secret: Carlos Diego Ferreira" . txmma.com.
^ a b c Guilherme Cruz (September 6, 2019). "Diego Ferreira moved to the U.S. to become the next 'Jacare' Souza; a decade later, he seeks UFC gold" . mmafighting.com.
^ STFC 15: Nature of the Beast Official Results . mixedmartialarts.com. April 2011
^ Legacy FC 25 results: Ferreira wrestles lightweight title from hero Patino . MMAjunkie. November 16, 2013
^ Jesse Holland (March 21, 2014) Colton Smith vs Carlos Diego Ferreira on tap for UFC Fight Night event on June 28 in San Antonio . mmamania.com
^ Dann Stupp (June 28, 2014) UFC Fight Night 44 results: Carlos Diego Ferreira taps Colton Smith in 38 seconds . mmajunkie.com
^ a b Doyle, Dave (June 29, 2014). "UFC Fight Night 44 bonuses" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved January 19, 2020 .
^ Dana Becker (July 15, 2014) UFC 177: Ramsey Nijem To Face Carlos Diego Ferreira . fightline.com
^ Josh Sanchez (August 30, 2014) UFC 177 results: Carlos Diego Ferreira KOs Ramsey Nijem in Round 2 . fansided.com
^ a b Mindenhall, Chuck (August 31, 2014). "UFC 177: Ramsey Nijem-Diego Ferreira earn FOTN" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved January 19, 2020 .
^ Staff (September 30, 2014). "Diego Ferreira replaces Alan Patrick at UFC 179 in Brazil" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved September 30, 2014 .
^ Andrew Richardson (October 26, 2014). "UFC 179 results recap: Beneil Dariush vs Carlos Diego Ferreira fight review and analysis" . mmamania.com. Retrieved October 26, 2014 .
^ Staff (January 17, 2015). "Dustin Poirier returns to 155, meets Diego Ferreira at UFC Fight Night 63 in Fairfax, Va" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved January 17, 2015 .
^ Brent Brookhouse (April 4, 2015). "UFC Fight Night 63 results: Dustin Poirier smashes Diego Ferreira in 155 return" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved April 4, 2015 .
^ Staff (December 23, 2015). "UFC on FOX 18 gets two new bouts, one injury replacement" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved December 23, 2015 .
^ Steven Marrocco (January 30, 2016). "Carlos Diego Ferreira takes decision over Olivier Aubin-Mercier" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved January 30, 2016 .
^ Mike Bohn and Matt Erickson (March 19, 2016). "UFC Fight Night 88 gets 8 new fights" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved March 19, 2016 .
^ Zane Simon (May 13, 2016). "Brazilian lightweight fails USADA drug test, removed from UFC Fight Night 88" . bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved May 13, 2016 .
^ Staff (May 17, 2016). "Replacement Jordan Rinaldi meets Abel Trujillo at UFC Fight Night 88 on May 29" . mmajunkie.com. Retrieved May 17, 2016 .
^ Damon Martin (December 21, 2016). "Carlos Diego Ferreira suspended 17 months for failed drug test" . foxsports.com . Retrieved October 31, 2018 .
^ "James Vick vs. Francisco Trinaldo, Jared Gordon vs. Diego Ferreira set for UFC Austin - MMA Fighting" . www.mmafighting.com . January 4, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018 .
^ "UFC Fight Night 126 results: Diego Ferreira impressive with KO of Jared Gordon after two years off" . MMAjunkie . February 19, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018 .
^ Marcel Dorff (October 4, 2018). "John Makdessi meets Carlos Diego Ferreira at UFC 231 in Toronto" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved October 4, 2018 .
^ "Jesse Ronson returns to the UFC, meets Diego Ferreira at UFC 231" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved November 28, 2018 .
^ Newswire, MMA Fighting (December 5, 2018). "Jesse Ronson says he was forced to withdraw from UFC 231 for being 'too heavy' " . MMA Fighting . Retrieved December 5, 2018 .
^ Lee, Alexander K. (December 5, 2018). "Diego Ferreira draws short-notice replacement Kyle Nelson for UFC 231" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved December 6, 2018 .
^ "UFC 231: Diego Ferreira relies on experience to finish Kyle Nelson via round 2 TKO" . FanSided . December 8, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018 .
^ Dorff, Marcel (January 18, 2019). "Rustam Khabilov vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira added to UFC Prague" . mmadna.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved January 18, 2019 .
^ Staff (February 22, 2019). "UFC on ESPN+ 3 weigh-in results: Two fighters miss, but card official" . mmajunkie. Retrieved February 22, 2019 .
^ "UFC Prague results: Diego Ferreira shuts down Rustam Khabilov" . MMAjunkie . February 23, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2019 .
^ Guilherme Cruz (March 29, 2019). "Francisco Trinaldo vs. Diego Ferreira targeted for UFC 237 in Brazil" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved March 29, 2019 .
^ Guilherme Cruz (May 10, 2019). "Diego Ferreira vs. Francisco Trinaldo fight called off at UFC 237" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved May 10, 2019 .
^ Dorff, Marcel (June 7, 2019). "Knalpartij tussen Mairbek Taisumov en Carlos Diego Ferreira tijdens UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi" (in Dutch). Retrieved June 27, 2023 .
^ Anderson, Jay (September 7, 2019). "UFC 242 Results: Carlos Diego Ferreira Turns Up the Heat in Abu Dhabi" . Cageside Press . Retrieved September 7, 2019 .
^ Farah Hannoun (November 25, 2019). "Anthony Pettis moves back to lightweight, meets Diego Ferreira at Jan. 18 UFC event" . mmajunkie.com . Retrieved November 26, 2019 .
^ Evanoff, Josh (January 18, 2020). "UFC 246 Results: Carlos Diego Ferreria Spoils Anthony Pettis' Return to Lightweight" . Cageside Press . Retrieved January 19, 2020 .
^ a b "UFC 246 bonuses: Conor McGregor leads pack of five $50,000 winners" . MMA Junkie . January 19, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020 .
^ David Tees (March 10, 2020). "Diego Ferreira faces Drew Dober at UFC Fight Night Oklahoma City" . fightful.com . Retrieved March 10, 2020 .
^ Ag. Fight (May 18, 2023). EXCLUSIVO! Natalia Silva, Carlos Diego Ferreira e Rodrigo Zé Colmeia – via YouTube.
^ Brett Okamoto (April 9, 2020). "Dana White says UFC 249 will not happen April 18" . espn.com . Retrieved April 9, 2020 .
^ David Tees (September 12, 2020). "Diego Ferreira faces Drew Dober on November 7 UFC card" . fightful.com. Retrieved September 14, 2020 .
^ Blaine Henry (October 22, 2020). "Diego Ferreira out of Drew Dober fight due to illness" . mymmanews.com. Retrieved October 22, 2020 .
^ Guilherme Cruz and Damon Martin (November 29, 2020). "UFC books Beneil Dariush vs. Diego Ferreira rematch for Feb. 6" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved November 30, 2020 .
^ Doherty, Dan (February 6, 2021). "UFC Vegas 18 Results: Beneil Dariush Takes Rematch Over Carlos Diego Ferreira" . Cageside Press . Retrieved February 7, 2021 .
^ a b "UFC Vegas 18 Bonuses: Alexander Volkov Among Fighters To Nab Performance Checks" . MMA News . February 7, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021 .
^ A Brett Okamoto (April 13, 2019). "Sources: Diego Ferreira-Gregor Gillespie bout added to UFC Fight Night card on May 8" . espn.com . Retrieved April 13, 2021 .
^ Alexander K. Lee (May 7, 2021). "UFC Vegas 26 weigh-in results: Marina Rodriguez, Michelle Waterson make weight for headliner, two other fights cancelled" . mmafighting.com. Retrieved May 7, 2021 .
^ Doherty, Dan (May 8, 2021). "UFC Vegas 26 Results: Gregor Gillespie Digs Deep, Stops Diego Ferreira" . Cageside Press . Retrieved May 9, 2021 .
^ "UFC on ESPN 24 bonuses: Gregor Gillespie gets $100,000 because Diego Ferreira missed weight" . MMA Junkie . May 9, 2021. Retrieved May 13, 2021 .
^ Dorff, Marcel (July 2, 2021). "Carlos Diego Ferreira vs. Grant Dawson toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 2 oktober" . MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved June 27, 2023 .
^ Matthew Wells (September 8, 2021). "Diego Ferreira injured, out of Oct. 2 bout against Grant Dawson" . MMA Junkielanguage=en-US . Retrieved September 8, 2021 .
^ Dorff, Marcel (November 10, 2021). "UFC's jaarafsluiter krijgt Lightweight knaller tussen Carlos Diego Ferreira en Mateusz Gamrot" . MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved June 27, 2023 .
^ Law, Eddie (December 18, 2021). "UFC Vegas 45: Mateusz Gamrot stops Diego Ferreira With Knee To Ribs" . Cageside Press . Retrieved December 19, 2021 .
^ Matthew Wells and Nolan King (May 12, 2022). "Drakkar Klose vs. Diego Ferreira in the works for UFC 277" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved May 12, 2022 .
^ Heck, Mike (July 13, 2022). "Diego Ferreira out, UFC needs replacement for Drakkar Klose at UFC 277" . MMA Fighting . Retrieved July 14, 2022 .
^ Anderson, Jay (April 4, 2023). "UFC: Michael Johnson vs. Carlos Diego Ferreira Booked for May 20" . Cageside Press . Retrieved April 5, 2023 .
^ Rush, Dylan (May 20, 2023). "UFC Vegas 73: Carlos Diego Ferreira Stops Michael Johnson with Thunderous KO" . Cageside Press . Retrieved May 21, 2023 .
^ a b Matthew Wells (May 20, 2023). "UFC Fight Night 224 bonuses: Diego Ferriera's crushing KO among four $50,000 winners" . mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved May 20, 2023 .
^ Stachura, Bartłomiej (April 16, 2024). "Mateusz Rębecki z nowym rywalem! Na majowej gali UFC Fight Night w St. Louis Polak zmierzy się z Carlosem Diego Ferreirą!" . Lowking.pl (in Polish). Retrieved April 17, 2024 .
^ Anderson, Jay (May 12, 2024). "UFC St. Louis: Carlos Diego Ferreira Weathers Early Storm, Stops Mateusz Rębecki Late" . Cageside Press . Retrieved May 12, 2024 .
^ a b Chris Taylor (May 11, 2024). "UFC St. Louis Bonus Report: Diego Ferreira one of four fighters to take home $50k" . bjpenn.com. Retrieved May 11, 2024 .
^ Sherdog.com. "Grant Dawson to Collide With Diego Ferreira at UFC 311 in California on Jan. 18" . Sherdog . Retrieved November 21, 2024 .
^ UFC 246 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 2 . January 14, 2020. Event occurs at 2min 9s.
^ Ultimate Fighting Championship (June 7, 2023). Don'Tale Mayes, Diego Ferreira, UFC Vegas 74 Recap | UFC Unfiltered – via YouTube.
^ Cruz, Guilherme (May 11, 2024). "Diego Ferreira asked for advance payment for UFC St. Louis: 'I was behind three months in the gym' " . MMA Fighting . Retrieved May 12, 2024 .
^ "MMA Junkie's Knockout of the Month for May: Diego Ferreira's one-punch finish" . MMAjunkie.com . May 25, 2023.
^ Sherdog.com. "Carlos Diego Ferreira MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com" . Sherdog . Retrieved September 7, 2019 .
External links