Cezar Ferreira

Mixed martial arts career

Early career On April 29, 2007, Ferreira made his professional debut in a one-night middleweight tournament for Xtreme Fighting Championships in Brazil. He fought Andre Severo, winning via TKO at 1:29 of round one. In the next round of the tournament, Ferreira suffered his first defeat, losing to Antônio Braga Neto via decision. Ferreira took a long leave of absences from fighting after his wife got pregnant.

Three years after his debut, Ferreira returned to active competition, fighting on the Bitetti Combat 6 card against Felipe Arinelli. Ferreira won the fight after choking Arinelli unconscious with a D'arce choke in the second round. Only a few months later Ferreira, again, fought for Bitetti Combat, fighting on their seventh event. He defeated Cassiano Ricardo Castanho de Freitas via TKO (doctor stoppage) in the second round.

Ferreira then traveled to Las Vegas, Nevada, United States to train with Vitor at Xtreme Couture. He was then scheduled to face Thiago Perpetuo for a spot in the final against Daniel Sarafian. He defeated Perpetuo by knockout (head kick) and was expected to face Sérgio Moraes, who replaced for Sarafian due to an injury.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Mutante was expected to make his UFC debut on June 23, 2012, at UFC 147 against Daniel Sarafian to determine the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. However, Sarafian injured himself and was forced out of the bout and replaced by Sérgio Moraes. Ferreira won the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 30–27, and 30–27).

Ferreira was expected to face C. B. Dollaway on May 18, 2013, at UFC on FX 8. However, Dollaway was forced out of the bout with an injury and was replaced by Chris Camozzi. Then on April 7, Ferreira pulled out of the fight as well, citing an injury and was replaced by Rafael Natal.

Ferreira was expected to face Clint Hester on August 3, 2013, at UFC 163. However, Hester was forced out of the bout and Ferreira instead faced promotional newcomer Thiago Santos. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Ferreira faced Daniel Sarafian on November 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 32. He won the fight via split decision (28–29, 30–27, and 30–28).

The bout with C. B. Dollaway eventually took place on March 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 38. Ferreira lost via TKO in the first round.

Ferreira faced Andrew Craig on June 28, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 44. He won the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, and 30–27).

Ferreira faced Sam Alvey on February 22, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 61. Alvey won the fight via knockout in the first round.

Ferreira faced Jorge Masvidal in a welterweight bout on July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Ferreira was expected to face Caio Magalhães on April 16, 2016, at UFC on Fox 19. However, Magalhães pulled out of the fight in the week leading up to the event citing an ankle injury and was replaced by Oluwale Bamgbose. Ferreira won the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–27).

Ferreira next faced Anthony Smith on July 8, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale. He won the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28).

Ferreira faced Jack Hermansson on November 19, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 100. He won the fight via submission in the second round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.

Ferreira faced Elias Theodorou on February 19, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 105. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Ferreira faced Nate Marquardt on November 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 120. He won the fight via split decision (28–29, 29–28, and 29–28).

Ferreira faced Karl Roberson on May 12, 2018, at UFC 224. He won the fight via technical submission in the first round.

Ferreira was expected to face Tom Breese on November 17, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 140. However, it was reported on November 9, 2018, that Breese pulled out of the event due to injury, and he was replaced by Ian Heinisch. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

The pairing with Breese was rescheduled and was expected to take place on March 16, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 147. However, on February 1, 2019, Ferreira withdrew from the fight on February 1, citing a knee injury.

Ferreira faced Marvin Vettori on July 13, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 155. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Professional Fighters League In March 2020, Ferreira signed with Professional Fighters League.

Ferreira faced Nick Roehrick on April 29, 2021, at PFL 2 as the start of the 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight tournament. He won the fight via knockout 37 seconds into the first round.

Ferreira faced Chris Camozzi at PFL 5 on June 17, 2021. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Ferreira faced Marthin Hamlet in the Semifinals off the Light Heavyweight tournament on August 27, 2021, at PFL 9. Off his very first kick, Ferreira injured his hamstring, which sent him down to the canvas and the fight was called.

Ferreira, replacing Patrick Brady, faced Denis Goltsov on April 14, 2023 at PFL 3. He lost the bout in the first round, getting knocked out by ground and pound. In early May, it was announced that Ferreira had failed a commission drug test and was pulled from the season. Ferreira was later suspended 9 months and fined for testing positive for Clomiphene and androstanolone

Championships and awards

Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil Middleweight Tournament Winner

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Denis Goltsov KO (punches) PFL 3 (2023)

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Marthin Hamlet TKO (leg injury) PFL 9 (2021)

Hollywood, Florida, United States Loss

Chris Camozzi Decision (unanimous) PFL 5 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Nick Roehrick KO (punches) PFL 2 (2021)

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Marvin Vettori Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: de Randamie vs. Ladd

Sacramento, California, United States Loss

Ian Heinisch Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Ponzinibbio

Buenos Aires, Argentina Win

Karl Roberson Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 224

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Nate Marquardt Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis

Norfolk, Virginia, United States Loss

Elias Theodorou Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Win

Jack Hermansson Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Nogueira 2

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Anthony Smith Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Oluwale Bamgbose Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans

Tampa, Florida, United States Loss

Jorge Masvidal KO (elbow and punches) The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Sam Alvey KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir

Porto Alegre, Brazil Win

Andrew Craig Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens

San Antonio, Texas, United States Loss

C. B. Dollaway KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Henderson 2

Natal, Brazil Win

Daniel Sarafian Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 2

Goiânia, Brazil Win

Thiago Santos Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 163

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Sérgio Moraes Decision (unanimous) UFC 147

Belo Horizonte, Brazil Loss

Elvis Mutapčić KO (punch) Superior Cage Combat 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Chaun Sims KO (punch) Ring of Fire 40

Broomfield, Colorado, United States Win

Cassiano de Freitas TKO (doctor stoppage) Bitetti Combat 7

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Felipe Arinelli Technical Submission (D'Arce choke) Bitetti Combat 6

Brasília, Brazil Loss

Antônio Braga Neto Decision (unanimous) XFC Brazil 1

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

André Severo TKO (punches) XFC Brazil 1

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Mixed martial arts exhibition record Win

Thiago Perpétuo KO (head kick) The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil

Brazil Win

Leonardo Mafra Submission (guillotine choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil

Brazil Win

Gustavo Sampaio Submission (guillotine choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil

Brazil