Jussier Formiga

Brazilian martial artist (born 1985)

Jussier Formiga

Born|  (1985-04-14) April 14, 1985 (age 39)
Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Other names| Formiga (Ant)
Residence| Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Coconut Creek, Florida, United States
Height| 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)[1]
Weight| 125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
Division| Flyweight
Reach| 67 in (170 cm)[1]
Fighting out of| Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
Coconut Creek, Florida, United States
Team| Nova União/Kimura (formerly)
American Top Team (2018–present)
Rank| Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Black belt in Judo[2]
Years active| 2005–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total| 32
Wins| 24
By submission| 11
By decision| 13
Losses| 8
By knockout| 4
By decision| 4
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Jussier Formiga (born April 14, 1985) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division. A professional competitor since 2005, Formiga most notably competed in the UFC and is the former Shooto South America 123-pound champion.

## Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

### Shooto Brazil

[edit]

Formiga won his professional mixed martial arts debut fight on November 29, 2008 at Shooto: Brazil 9 against Michael Willian Costa via split decision. This was followed up by an upset victory over Shinichi "BJ" Kojima via unanimous decision at Shooto: Revolutionary Exchanges 1: Undefeated.[3]

It was expected Formiga would be brought back for a year-end title rematch with Kojima.[4] However, Kojima vacated the Shooto Bantamweight Championship, further complicating Jussier's future with the organization.

Formiga was at this point, ranked as the number one Flyweight in the world and then fought Alexandre Pantoja, who was unbeaten as a Flyweight. On June 12, 2010, Formiga defeated Pantoja by unanimous decision to defend his South America Shooto 123 lb Championship.[5]

### Tachi Palace Fights

[edit]

Formiga signed a four-fight exclusive contract with the California-based Tachi Palace Fights organization. His first fight with the organization was against WEC veteran Danny Martinez at Tachi Palace Fights 7. Formiga won the fight by unanimous decision.[6]

Fomiga's next fight was against another WEC veteran in Ian McCall.[7] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[8]

Formiga next faced top-ranked Flyweight Mamoru Yamaguchi at Tachi Palace Fights 10.[9] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[10]

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

[edit]

On July 14, 2012 it was announced that Formiga signed with the UFC.[11]

Formiga faced John Dodson on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5.[12] After a slow first round, Formiga began to succumb to the speed of Dodson, and was eventually finished via TKO with ground strikes at 4:35 of the second round.[13]

Formiga faced Chris Cariaso on May 18, 2013 at UFC on FX 8.[14] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[15]

Formiga faced Joseph Benavidez on September 4, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 28.[16] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[17]

Formiga faced Scott Jorgensen on March 23, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 38.[18] Formiga won the fight via submission in the first round. Formiga unintentionally butted Jorgensen's chin with the top of his skull, which went unnoticed by the referee and submitted the dazed Jorgensen via rear-naked choke.[19] Jorgensen appealed the headbutt to the Brazilian Athletic Commission, however the result was upheld.[20]

Formiga was expected to face Zach Makovsky on August 2, 2014 at UFC 176.[21] However, after UFC 176 was cancelled, Formiga/Makovsky was rescheduled and eventually took place on August 16, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 47.[22] Formiga won the fight via unanimous decision.[23]

Formiga was expected to face John Moraga on December 13, 2014 at UFC on Fox 13.[24] However, on November 21, Formiga pulled out of the fight and was replaced by UFC newcomer Willie Gates.[25]

Formiga faced Wilson Reis on May 30, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 67.[26] He won the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.[27]

Formiga next faced Henry Cejudo on November 21, 2015 at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale.[28] He lost the fight by split decision.[29]

Formiga faced Dustin Ortiz on September 24, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 95.[30] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[31]

Formiga was expected to face Sergio Pettis on January 15, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 103.[32] However, Formiga pulled out of the fight in late December and was replaced by John Moraga.[33]

Formiga faced Ray Borg on March 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 106.[34] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[35]

After alternating between wins and losses in the latest four fights, Formiga decided to move from his native Brazil to Florida, United States in order to train at American Top Team.[36]

Formiga faced Ulka Sasaki on September 23, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami.[37] He won the fight via submission in the first round.[38]

Formiga faced Ben Nguyen on February 11, 2018 at UFC 221.[39] He won the fight via technical submission in the third round due to a rear-naked choke. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.[40]

Formiga faced Sergio Pettis on October 6, 2018 at UFC 229.[41] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[42]

Formiga faced Deiveson Figueiredo on March 23, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 148.[43] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[44]

Formiga faced Joseph Benavidez in a rematch on June 29, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 3.[45] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[46]

Formiga faced Brandon Moreno on March 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170.[47] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[48]

Formiga faced Alex Perez on June 6, 2020 at UFC 250.[49] He lost the bout via first round technical knockout.[50]

On November 16, 2020, it was announced that Formiga had been released from his UFC contract and is now a free agent.[51]

### Post-UFC career

[edit]

After the release from the UFC, Formiga headlined LFA 124 against Felipe Bunes on February 11, 2022.[52] He won the fight via technical submission due to a rear-naked choke in the second round.[53]

## Grappling career

[edit]

Formiga competed against Tagir Ulanbekov in the co-main event of ADXC 6 on October 25, 2024.[54] He won the match by unanimous decision.[55]

## Championships and awards

[edit]

* Shooto South America
* Shooto South American 123 lb Championship
* Ultimate Fighting Championship
* Performance of the Night (One time)  vs Ben Nguyen[40]
* Fourth most bouts in UFC Flyweight division history (16)[56]

## Mixed martial arts record

[edit]

Professional record breakdown  32 matches | 24 wins | 8 losses

|
|

By knockout | 0  | 4
By submission | 11  | 0
By decision | 13  | 4
Res.  | Record  | Opponent  | Method  | Event  | Date  | Round  | Time  | Location  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Win  | 24–8  | Felipe Bunes  | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)  | LFA 124 | February 11, 2022 | 2  | 1:53  | Phoenix, Arizona, United States  | Bantamweight debut; Formiga missed weight (139 lb).
Loss  | 23–8  | Alex Perez | TKO (leg kicks)  | UFC 250 | June 6, 2020 | 1  | 4:06  | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  |
Loss  | 23–7  | Brandon Moreno | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira | March 14, 2020 | 3  | 5:00  | Brasília, Brazil  |
Loss  | 23–6  | Joseph Benavidez | TKO (head kick and punches)  | UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. dos Santos | June 29, 2019 | 2  | 4:47  | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States  |
Win  | 23–5  | Deiveson Figueiredo | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Pettis | March 23, 2019 | 3  | 5:00  | Nashville, Tennessee, United States  |
Win  | 22–5  | Sergio Pettis | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC 229 | October 6, 2018 | 3  | 5:00  | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  |
Win  | 21–5  | Ben Nguyen | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke)  | UFC 221 | February 11, 2018 | 3  | 1:43  | Perth, Australia  | Performance of the Night.
Win  | 20–5  | Ulka Sasaki | Submission (rear-naked choke)  | UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami | September 23, 2017 | 1  | 4:30  | Saitama, Japan  |
Loss  | 19–5  | Ray Borg | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum | March 11, 2017 | 3  | 5:00  | Fortaleza, Brazil  |
Win  | 19–4  | Dustin Ortiz | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Lansberg | September 24, 2016 | 3  | 5:00  | Brasília, Brazil  |
Loss  | 18–4  | Henry Cejudo | Decision (split)  | The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale: Magny vs. Gastelum | November 21, 2015 | 3  | 5:00  | Monterrey, Mexico  |
Win  | 18–3  | Wilson Reis | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves | May 30, 2015 | 3  | 5:00  | Goiânia, Brazil  |
Win  | 17–3  | Zach Makovsky | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Saint Preux | August 16, 2014 | 3  | 5:00  | Bangor, Maine, United States  |
Win  | 16–3  | Scott Jorgensen | Submission (rear-naked choke)  | UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Henderson 2 | March 23, 2014 | 1  | 3:07  | Natal, Brazil  |
Loss  | 15–3  | Joseph Benavidez | TKO (knee to the body and punches)  | UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs. Bader | September 4, 2013 | 1  | 3:07  | Belo Horizonte, Brazil  |
Win  | 15–2  | Chris Cariaso | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold | May 18, 2013 | 3  | 5:00  | Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil  |
Loss  | 14–2  | John Dodson | TKO (punches)  | UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot | October 5, 2012 | 2  | 4:35  | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States  | UFC Flyweight title eliminator.
Win  | 14–1  | Sidney Oliveira  | Submission (rear-naked choke)  | Shooto Brazil 31  | June 29, 2012 | 1  | 2:45  | Brasília, Brazil  |
Win  | 13–1  | Martin Coria  | Submission (triangle choke)  | Coliseu Extreme Fight  | March 18, 2012 | 3  | 2:11  | Maceió, Brazil  |
Win  | 12–1  | Rodrigo Santos  | Submission (rear-naked choke)  | Fort MMA Championships 1  | December 15, 2011 | 1  | 3:52  | Natal, Brazil  |
Win  | 11–1  | Michael Willian  | Submission (rear-naked choke)  | Shooto Brazil 26  | October 29, 2011 | 2  | 4:55  | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  | Defended the Shooto South American 123 lbs Championship.
Win  | 10–1  | Mamoru Yamaguchi | Decision (unanimous)  | Tachi Palace Fights 10 | August 5, 2011 | 3  | 5:00  | Lemoore, California, United States  |
Loss  | 9–1  | Ian McCall | Decision (unanimous)  | TPF 8: All or Nothing | February 18, 2011 | 3  | 5:00  | Lemoore, California, United States  |
Win  | 9–0  | Danny Martinez | Decision (unanimous)  | Tachi Palace Fights 7 | December 2, 2010 | 3  | 5:00  | Lemoore, California, United States  |
Win  | 8–0  | Alexandre Pantoja | Decision (unanimous)  | Shooto Brazil 16  | June 12, 2010 | 3  | 5:00  | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  | Defended the Shooto South American 123 lbs Championship.
Win  | 7–0  | Shinichi Kojima | Decision (unanimous)  | Shooto Revolutionary Exchanges 1: Undefeated | July 19, 2009 | 3  | 5:00  | Tokyo, Japan  |
Win  | 6–0  | Michael Willian  | Decision (split)  | Shooto Brazil 9  | November 29, 2008 | 3  | 5:00  | Fortaleza, Brazil  | Won the Shooto South American 123 lbs Championship.
Win  | 5–0  | Ralph Lauren  | Submission (rear-naked choke)  | Shooto Brazil 8  | August 30, 2008 | 1  | 1:46  | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  |
Win  | 4–0  | Jose Maria Tome  | Submission (rear-naked choke)  | Original Bairros Fight 7  | March 9, 2008 | 1  | 3:41  | Natal, Brazil  |
Win  | 3–0  | Arinaldo Batista  | Decision (unanimous)  | Hikari Fight  | January 14, 2006 | 3  | 5:00  | Natal, Brazil  |
Win  | 2–0  | Amaury Junior  | Decision (unanimous)  | Mossoró Fight  | August 26, 2005 | 3  | 5:00  | Mossoró, Brazil  |
Win  | 1–0  | Chacal Chacal  | Submission (armbar)  | Tremons Fight  | May 13, 2005 | 1  | 3:20  | Natal, Brazil  |

[57]

## See also

[edit]

* List of male mixed martial artists

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Condit vs. Alves". UFC.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
2. ^ a b "Jussier Formiga - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
3. ^ Sherdog.com. "Jussier Formiga MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
4. ^ "Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings". Sherdog.
5. ^ "Inoue-Hioki Announced for May 30 Shooto". Sherdog.
6. ^ Nick Thomas (December 2, 2010). "'Tachi Palace Fights 7: Deck the Halls' Live Results and Play-by-Play". bloodyelbow.com.
7. ^ "Lineup finalized for Friday's Tachi Palace Fights 8, MMAjunkie.com streams for free". MMAjunkie.com. 2010-12-03. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
8. ^ Ken Pishna (February 19, 2011). "Tachi Palace Fights 8 Results: The Crow Soars Again, David Loiseau Wins Title". mmaweekly.com.
9. ^ "Source: Da Silva-Yamaguchi, Gomez-Bittner Signed for TPF 10". Sherdog.com. May 18, 2011.
10. ^ "Tachi Palace 10 results: McCall claims flyweight title, Yagin upsets Soto for belt". MMAjunkie.com. August 6, 2011.
11. ^ Patrick L. Stumberg (July 14, 2012). "UFC signs top-ranked flyweight fighter Jussier da Silva to contract". MMAMania.com.
12. ^ "John Dodson vs Jussier Da Dilva possible for UFC on FX 5". mmamania.com. July 30, 2012. Retrieved July 30, 2012.
13. ^ Staff (2012-10-05). "UFC on FX 5 results: John Dodson claims title shot with TKO of Jussier Formiga". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-10-05.
14. ^ Mookie Alexander (2013-03-18). "Jussier Formiga vs. Chris Cariaso planned for UFC on FX 8". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
15. ^ Matt Erickson (2013-05-18). "UFC on FX 8 results/photos: Formiga stifles Cariaso to take unanimous decision". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-05-18.
16. ^ "Joseph Benavidez vs. Jussier Formiga targeted for UFC on FOX Sports 1 3". mmajunkie.com. June 21, 2013. Archived from the original on June 25, 2013.
17. ^ "UFC Fight Night 28 Results: Joseph Benavidez crushes Jussier Formiga, back in title contention". mmaweekly.com. September 4, 2013.
18. ^ Guilherme Cruz (15 January 2014). "Scott Jorgensen vs. Jussier Formiga added to UFC fight card in Brazil". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 2014-01-15.
19. ^ Elias Cepeda (24 March 2014). "Scott Jorgensen wants rematch after headbutt, loss". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
20. ^ Mookie Alexander (5 April 2014). "Scott Jorgensen's appeal to overturn loss to Jussier Formiga denied by Brazilian Athletic Commission". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-04-05.
21. ^ Staff (2014-05-06). "Jussier Formiga vs. Zach Makovsky added to UFC 176 in August". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-05-06.
22. ^ Erickson, Matt (2014-07-08). "After UFC 176 cancellation, Green-Trujillo, Formiga-Makovsky move to UFC Fight Night 47". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-07-08.
23. ^ Brian Knapp (August 16, 2014). "UFC Fight Night Bangor Prelims: Jussier 'Formiga' Grapples Past Zach Makovsky". Sherdog.
24. ^ MMA Fighting Newswire (2014-09-22). "John Moraga slated to face Jussier Formiga at UFC on FOX 13". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-09-22.
25. ^ Guilherme Cruz (November 25, 2014). "Willie Gates replaces Jussier Formiga, meets John Moraga at UFC on FOX 13". mmafighting.com.
26. ^ Rick LaFitte (2015-03-28). "Wilson Reis, Jussier Formiga flyweight clash a meaningful addition to UFC Fight Night 67". rantsports.com. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
27. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2015-05-30). "UFC Fight Night 67 results: Jussier Formiga wins third straight, tops Wilson Reis". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-05-30.
28. ^ José Youngs (2015-08-17). "Henry Cejudo vs. 'Jussier' Formiga Booked for TUF Latin America 2 Finale in Mexico". themmacorner.com. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
29. ^ Brent Brookhouse (2015-11-21). "UFC Fight Night 78 results: Henry Cejudo gets strange split decision over Jussier Formiga". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-11-21.
30. ^ Staff (2016-08-03). "Jussier Formiga faces Dustin Ortiz in flyweight bout at UFC Fight Night 95 in Brazil". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
31. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-09-24). "UFC Fight Night 95 results: Jussier Formiga cruise to unanimous decision over Dustin Ortiz". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-09-24.
32. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2016-11-21). "Jussier Formiga vs. Sergio Pettis booked for UFC Fight Night 103 in Phoenix". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-11-21.
33. ^ Staff (2016-12-29). "John Moraga in for Formiga vs. Sergio Pettis, Drakkar Klose meets Devin Powell at UFC Fight Night 103". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-12-29.
34. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2017-01-23). "Jussier Formiga vs. Ray Borg set for UFC Fight Night: Fortaleza". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2017-01-23.
35. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2017-03-11). "UFC Fight Night 106 results: Ray Borg outworks Jussier Formiga in crucial flyweight battle". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-03-11.
36. ^ Damon Martin (March 18, 2019). "Formiga: "I Have To Be Next For Cejudo"".
37. ^ Marcel Dorff (14 July 2017). "UFC adds two Flyweight fights for UFC Japan" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2017-07-14.
38. ^ "UFC Japan results and highlights: Saki wins debut by KO, Kim stops Gomi, Formiga taps Sasaki". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
39. ^ "UFC locks in first bouts for Perth event". The West Australian. 2017-11-10. Retrieved 2017-11-10.
40. ^ a b "UFC 221 bonuses: Much-hyped newcomer among night's $50,000 winners". MMAjunkie. 2018-02-11. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
41. ^ Staff (2018-08-02). "Jussier Ant faces Sergio Pettis at UFC 229 in Las Vegas" (in Portuguese). sportv.globo.com. Archived from the original on 2018-08-03. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
42. ^ "UFC 229 play-by-play and live results". MMAjunkie. 2018-10-06. Retrieved 2018-10-06.
43. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2019-01-17). "Jussier Formiga vs. Deiveson Figueiredo added to UFC Nashville in March". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2019-02-18.
44. ^ "UFC Nashville results: Jussier Formiga shuts down Deiveson Figueiredo, calls out Henry Cejudo". MMA Junkie. 2019-03-24. Retrieved 2019-03-24.
45. ^ Marcel Dorff (2019-04-10). "Four fights announced for UFC Minneapolis including Benavidez vs. Formiga 2" (in Dutch). mmadnanl.com. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
46. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2019-06-29). "UFC Minneapolis Results: Joseph Benavidez TKO's Jussier Formiga in Rematch". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-06-30.
47. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2019-12-26). "Jussier Formiga vs. Brandon Moreno among new additions to UFC Brasilia". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-12-27.
48. ^ Evanoff, Josh (2020-03-14). "UFC Brasilia Results: Brandon Moreno Makes Statement with Win Over Jussier Formiga". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
49. ^ Marcel Dorff (6 May 2020). "Jussier Formiga treft Alex Perez tijdens UFC 250 op 6 juni aanstaande" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2020-05-07.
50. ^ Bryan Tucker (June 6, 2020). "UFC 250 Results: Nunes vs. Spencer". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
51. ^ Guilherme Cruz (November 16, 2020). "UFC releases perennial flyweight contender Jussier Formiga". Retrieved November 16, 2020.
52. ^ Guilherme Cruz (January 24, 2022). "Jussier Formiga books first post-UFC fight, headlines LFA 124 in February". mmafighting.com.
53. ^ MMA Junkie Staff (12 February 2022). "LFA 124 results: Jussier Formiga chokes out Felipe Bunes in second". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
54. ^ Lindsey, Alex. "Full ADXC 6 Card Released". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
55. ^ "ADXC 6 Full Results And Highlights". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
56. ^ UFC (November 2, 2024). "UFC Flyweight Division – Stats". UFC.com.
57. ^ Sherdog.com. "Jussier Formiga MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-12-27.

## External links

[edit]

* Jussier Formiga at UFC
* Professional MMA record for Jussier Formiga from Sherdog