Diego Ferreira has made a name for himself as a formidable competitor in the UFC’s lightweight division.
With his Brazilian jiu-jitsu background and evolving striking skills, Ferreira has become a well-rounded fighter who poses a threat to anyone in the 155-pound weight class.
Let’s take a closer look at the life and career of this talented mixed martial artist.
Diego Ferreira’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carlos Diego Ferreira Neves |
| Nickname | Diego |
| Born | January 18, 1985 |
| Age | 40 |
| College | Unknown |
| Religion | N/A |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Turned Pro | 2011 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1-2 million |
| Salary | Varies per fight |
| Spouse | Yvonne Ferreira |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Profile | @diegoufctx |
Early Career
Diego Ferreira’s martial arts journey began at the age of 10 when he started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu in his home country of Brazil.
Growing up on a ranch, Ferreira’s early life was filled with hard work and responsibility. His passion for jiu-jitsu grew, and he eventually earned his black belt at the age of 18.
This accomplishment marked a turning point in his life, as it finally convinced his father that pursuing a career in martial arts was a viable path.
Professional Career
In 2011, Ferreira made his professional MMA debut. Ferreira’s early professional career was marked by an impressive undefeated streak.
He competed primarily in Texas-based promotions, quickly making a name for himself with his grappling skills and improving striking.
His success in regional promotions, including winning the Legacy FC Lightweight Championship, caught the eye of the UFC.
In 2014, Ferreira signed with the world’s leading MMA organization, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his career.
Wife
Diego Ferreira is married to Yvonne Ferreira, who is also deeply involved in the martial arts world. Yvonne is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and runs her own gym called Team Ferreira.
The couple has five children together, including four boys and a daughter born in 2023.
Diego Ferreira’s Net Worth Details
Diego Ferreira’s net worth is estimated to be between $1-2 million as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Purse |
|---|---|---|
| UFC 311 | Grant Dawson | $300,000 (show) + $100,000 (win bonus) |
| UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Nascimento | Mateusz Rębecki | – |
| UFC Fight Night 223 | Michael Johnson | – |
| UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus | Mateusz Gamrot | – |
| UFC on ESPN 24 | Gregor Gillespie | $160,500 (including $30,000 fine for missing weight) |
| UFC Fight Night 184 | Beneil Dariush | – |
| UFC 246 | Anthony Pettis | – |
Career Records
| Record | 19-5 |
|---|---|
| Wins by KO/TKO | 5 |
| Wins by Submission | 7 |
| Wins by Decision | 7 |
Notable UFC Opponents
| Opponent | Result |
|---|---|
| Grant Dawson | TBD (UFC 311) |
| Mateusz Rębecki | Win (TKO) |
| Michael Johnson | Win (KO) |
| Mateusz Gamrot | Loss (TKO) |
| Gregor Gillespie | Loss (TKO) |
| Beneil Dariush | Loss (Split Decision) |
| Anthony Pettis | Win (Submission) |
| Mairbek Taisumov | Win (Decision) |
| Rustam Khabilov | Win (Decision) |
FAQs
1. Who is Diego Ferreira?
Diego Ferreira is a Brazilian mixed martial artist competing in the UFC’s Lightweight division. Born on January 18, 1985, in Careiro da Várzea, Amazonas, Brazil, he is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with a professional MMA record of 19-6.
2. What is Diego Ferreira’s fighting background?
Ferreira started martial arts at age 10, initially training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He began his professional MMA career in 2011 and has been competing in the UFC since 2014. He holds championships from South Texas Fighting Championships and Legacy FC.
3. What are Diego Ferreira’s notable UFC achievements?
He has won Performance of the Night awards multiple times, including submissions against Anthony Pettis and knockout victories over Michael Johnson and Mateusz Rębecki. He has a UFC record of 10-5 with wins by submission, knockout, and decision.
4. Who is Diego Ferreira’s wife?
Diego Ferreira is married to Yvonne Ferreira, who is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. She is a black belt and co-owns Team Ferreira gym, where she coaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, and MMA.
5. What is Diego Ferreira’s fighting style?
Ferreira is known for his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills, with seven submission wins in his career. He is versatile, capable of winning fights through submissions, knockouts, and decisions. His favorite techniques include kimura and rear-naked choke.
6. What was Diego Ferreira’s most recent UFC fight?
At UFC 311 on January 18, 2025 (his 40th birthday), Ferreira lost a unanimous decision to Grant Dawson in a lightweight bout at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
7. What challenges has Diego Ferreira faced in his UFC career?
Ferreira has experienced ups and downs, including a three-fight losing streak to Beneil Dariush, Gregor Gillespie, and Mateusz Gamrot. He has since rebounded with wins over Michael Johnson and Mateusz Rębecki.
8. Where does Diego Ferreira train?
He trains with Fortis MMA and is based in McAllen, Texas. His training regimen includes morning runs, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, MMA, Muay Thai, wrestling, and additional conditioning work.
9. What are Diego Ferreira’s career goals?
Ferreira aims to make one last run at the UFC Lightweight title. He is focused on staying competitive in his final few years of fighting and wants to secure a fight against a ranked opponent.
10. What makes Diego Ferreira unique in the UFC?
His dedication to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, late-career resurgence, and ability to adapt his fighting style set him apart. Despite being 40 years old, he continues to be a formidable competitor in the lightweight division.
