UFCDiego Ferreira Record: 20-7-0
LightweightRecord20-7-0
Age41
DivisionLightweight · #30
Combat Edge Elo1737
Last fightAug 8 2026
Diego Ferreira has a 20-7-0 professional record and is 41 years old in the Lightweight division, representing Fortis MMA (1671 average active-roster Elo across 15 rated fighters). This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Aug 9, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Diego Ferreira bio
Personal background
Diego Ferreira is a Brazilian lightweight competing in the UFC, known for an aggressive, finish-hunting style rooted in elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Born January 18, 1985, in Careiro da Várzea in the Amazonas state of Brazil, Ferreira grew up playing soccer and first stepped onto the mats through capoeira before taking up Brazilian jiu-jitsu around the age of 10. He developed into a high-level grappler – a multiple-degree BJJ black belt – and built his MMA career out of the United States, training with the respected Fortis MMA camp in the Dallas, Texas area. The 5'9" lightweight carries a 19-7 professional record and a reputation as one of the division's more dangerous early-round finishers.
Path to the UFC
Ferreira turned professional in 2011 and quickly established himself as a submission threat on the Texas regional scene, stringing together finishes before stepping up in competition. He outpointed grizzled veteran Carlo Prater at Legacy FC 20 in 2013, then claimed a five-round decision over the experienced Jorge Patino at Legacy FC 25 to cement his standing as a top regional lightweight and earn his UFC call-up.
Early UFC run
Ferreira made an immediate impression in the Octagon, submitting Colton Smith by rear-naked choke at UFC Fight Night 44 in 2014 and stopping Ramsey Nijem by TKO at UFC 177. His ascent was checked by two of the division's best: he dropped a decision to Beneil Dariush at UFC 179 in 2014, then was knocked out in the first round by Dustin Poirier at a 2015 Fight Night – a hard lesson against future title contenders.
Prime years
Ferreira rebuilt methodically. He decisioned Olivier Aubin-Mercier in 2016, then went on a strong run, stopping Jared Gordon and Kyle Nelson by TKO and outpointing Rustam Khabilov and Mairbek Taisumov. The highlight of his career came at UFC 246 in January 2020, when he submitted former champion Anthony Pettis by rear-naked choke to push his winning streak to its peak.
Later career
The back half of Ferreira's run has been turbulent. He dropped a split decision in a rematch with Beneil Dariush in 2021, was stopped by Gregor Gillespie, and lost to Mateusz Gamrot by TKO via a knee to the body. He flashed his old form with a knockout of Michael Johnson in 2023 and a TKO of Mateusz Rębecki in 2024, before dropping decisions to Grant Dawson at UFC 311 and, most recently, falling to Alexander Hernandez by TKO in September 2025.
Fighting style
Ferreira is a finisher first. Of his 19 wins, seven have come by submission and five by knockout, a 63% finish rate that reflects a fighter who pushes a relentless pace and looks to end fights early. His jiu-jitsu is his calling card – a slick rear-naked choke and an opportunistic top game – but he has paired it with heavy, forward-pressing striking and good cardio. His vulnerability has been durability against the division's biggest punchers, with four of his seven losses coming by knockout or TKO.
Career highlights
- Submission of a former champion — choked out Anthony Pettis at UFC 246, the signature win of his career.
- Regional dominance — beat veterans Carlo Prater and Jorge Patino on the way to the UFC.
- Finishing pedigree — owns a 63% career finish rate as a multiple-degree BJJ black belt and one of the division's more aggressive grapplers.
Career snapshot
Diego Ferreira career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1737Good ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#203
Lightweight#30of 283 active
Peak1780
Last move+10
Opponent quality1735avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1780 Elo after defeating Anthony Pettis (2020-01-18)
Similar Elo in Lightweight
Diego Ferreira quick answers
What is Diego Ferreira's record?
Diego Ferreira's professional MMA record is 20-7-0.
How old is Diego Ferreira?
Diego Ferreira is 41 years old.
What weight class is Diego Ferreira?
Diego Ferreira fights at Lightweight in UFC.
What gym does Diego Ferreira represent?
Diego Ferreira is associated with Fortis MMA, whose 15 active Combat Edge fighters average 1671 Elo.
How tall is Diego Ferreira?
Diego Ferreira is 5'9" tall with a 74" reach.
How much does Diego Ferreira weigh?
Diego Ferreira competes at Lightweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 155 lbs.
What is Diego Ferreira's Combat Edge Elo?
Diego Ferreira's Combat Edge Elo is 1737, with a peak Elo of 1780.
How strong is Diego Ferreira's recent opposition?
Diego Ferreira's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1735 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Diego Ferreira's last fight?
Diego Ferreira's latest tracked pro fight was against Billy Quarantillo at UFC Fight Night on Aug 8 2026.
What is Diego Ferreira's recent form?
Diego Ferreira's recent tracked pro form is W-L-L-W-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Diego Ferreira usually win?
Diego Ferreira's 20 recorded wins include 5 knockouts, 7 submissions, and 8 decisions, with 60% ending before the final bell.
5Wins by knockout
7Wins by submission
8Wins by decision
4Loss by knockout
0Loss by submission
3Loss by decision
Diego Ferreira stats
Record : 20 / 7 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
4.70Fighter3.82UFC lightweight avg
Significant striking accuracy
40%Fighter46%UFC lightweight avg
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
3.46Fighter3.91UFC lightweight avg
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
56%Fighter54%UFC lightweight avg
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
0.82Fighter1.69UFC lightweight avg
Takedown accuracy
3%Fighter31%UFC lightweight avg
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
58%Fighter58%UFC lightweight avg
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0.55Fighter0.52UFC lightweight avg
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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