Felipe Bunes Record: 14-9-0

Early Life and Background

Miguel Felipe Bunes da Silva, known professionally as Felipe Bunes and nicknamed “Felipinho,” was born on October 26, 1989, in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, a state in northeastern Brazil known for producing resilient and technically proficient fighters. Growing up in Natal, Bunes was exposed to Brazil's rich martial arts culture from an early age. He began his serious martial arts training in 2010, relatively late compared to many professional fighters, suggesting a late bloomer who chose a different initial path before committing to combat sports. Rather than coming up through MMA from childhood, Bunes built his foundation in Brazilian jiu-jitsu first, earning a black belt in the discipline before transitioning into mixed martial arts competition. This BJJ-first approach gave him a significant grappling advantage that would later define his professional fighting style. His background in kickboxing further diversified his skillset, creating a well-rounded fighter comfortable across all positions.

MMA Debut and Rise to UFC

Bunes spent the decade following 2010 developing his craft in Brazilian regional promotions, building experience and a record that eventually attracted UFC attention. His first significant achievement came when he captured the LFA (Legacy Fighting Alliance) Flyweight Championship, establishing himself as a legitimate elite-level fighter in that regional promotion. The LFA has served as a significant feeder promotion to the UFC, and Bunes's championship pedigree from the LFA made him a logical candidate for a UFC contract. In January 2024, Bunes made his UFC debut against Joshua Van, entering the promotion at age 34—not as a young prospect, but as an experienced veteran seeking to prove himself at the highest level. That same year proved pivotal: in January 2025, exactly one year after his UFC debut, Bunes earned his first UFC victory by submission over Jose Johnson, establishing himself as more than just a name-value addition to the roster.