Felipe Bunes

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.

Fighting Style and Attributes

Bunes is fundamentally a submission specialist, with his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu serving as his primary weapon. His grappling credentials and experience in BJJ competition give him advantages in positional control and submission threat awareness that most UFC flyweights cannot match. His kickboxing background provides him with competent stand-up striking, allowing him to avoid getting into pure striker vs. grappler matchups where he'd be at a disadvantage. While his frame is aging at 36 years old, Bunes's technical proficiency compensates for any decline in athleticism. His primary fighting style revolves around closing distance safely, transitioning to grappling, and then using his superior technical knowledge to control and submit opponents.

Career Highlights

• LFA Flyweight Championship – Before joining the UFC, Bunes established himself as a regional champion, proving he could compete and defeat elite-level flyweights and earn championship recognition in a legitimate promotion.
• First UFC Victory by Submission (January 2025) – Bunes earned his first UFC win via submission over Jose Johnson, validating his submission credentials against UFC-level competition and proving he could translate his regional success to the world's premier promotion.
• Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – Bunes's achievement in BJJ competition, culminating in a black belt, represents decades of technical development and provides him with a baseline grappling advantage that carries through his MMA career.

Felipe “Felipinho” Bunes represents a particular type of fighter—the late-bloomer technical specialist who builds his foundation in one discipline (BJJ) before expanding into mixed martial arts. His submission-heavy approach and veteran experience make him a dangerous opponent for any flyweight willing to engage in grappling exchanges.