Jussier Formiga

Jussier Formiga is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and submission specialist who has been competing professionally since 2005. Born in Rio Grande do Norte, he established himself as an elite flyweight talent in Shooto Brazil, where he won and defended the South America 123-pound championship in 2010. After signing with the UFC in 2012, Formiga became a fixture of the promotion's flyweight roster, ultimately logging 16 bouts in the octagon and earning fifth place for most fights in UFC flyweight history.

Formiga's fighting style is rooted in technical grappling and positional control. He has recorded 10 submission victories (43% of his wins) and 13 decision wins (57%), reflecting a fighter who relies on craftsmanship rather than knockout power. His significant-strike defense sits at 64% and his takedown defense at 87%, underscoring a defensive-minded approach. He landed a Performance of the Night bonus in 2018 for his technical submission victory over Ben Nguyen, and recorded notable decision wins over Sergio Pettis and Deiveson Figueiredo, both top-ranked flyweights. However, losses to elite opponents like Joseph Benavidez (twice) and Brandon Moreno demonstrated the ceiling of his campaign for a title shot.

In 2020, consecutive losses to Brandon Moreno and Alex Perez led to his release from the UFC. Formiga transitioned to free agency and continued competing in regional promotions like LFA and later in grappling competition, including UFC BJJ 4 in December 2024. At 38 years old and with nearly two decades of professional fighting, Formiga represents a model of longevity and technical consistency in a sport dominated by younger athletes. His willingness to face top opposition throughout his career, combined with his submission expertise and methodical fight IQ, has earned him respect among fans and peers.