Manoel Sousa Record: 14-1-0

Bellator and the road up

Sousa's profile rose sharply during his Bellator run. In March 2024 he flattened the experienced Tim Wilde with a first-round knockout, the kind of one-punch finish that defines his reputation. His momentum was checked that September when he dropped a unanimous decision to the unbeaten Archie Colgan — the lone loss of his career to date, and a competitive one against a top prospect.

Earning the UFC and his debut

Sousa rebuilt his momentum with regional and LFA wins before earning his UFC contract the hard way: a third-round TKO of the 13-1 Cristian Pérez on Dana White's Contender Series in August 2025. He carried that form straight into the octagon, making his UFC debut in March 2026 with a third-round knockout of Bolaji Oki — a fitting introduction for a finisher who lets his power do the talking.

Fighting style

Sousa is one of the more devastating finishers in his division, closing out 12 of his 14 wins inside the distance for an 86% finish rate — nine by knockout and three by submission. The foundation is heavy, accurate striking honed to a Muay Thai brown belt, but his jiu-jitsu brown belt makes him a genuine threat on the mat as well, capable of ending fights with a choke or kimura when the opportunity arises. He has never been knocked out or submitted; his only defeat came by decision, which speaks to his durability even on a difficult night. The questions at the UFC level will center on whether his aggression holds up against the division's sharpest, most measured strikers.

Career highlights

• Contender Series contract — earned his UFC deal with a third-round TKO of the 13-1 Cristian Pérez in August 2025.
• Winning UFC debut — knocked out Bolaji Oki in the third round to open his octagon run in the win column.
• Elite knockout rate — finished 12 of 14 wins, including a one-punch knockout of Bellator veteran Tim Wilde, and has never been stopped himself.