Cezar Jesus Ferreira (born February 15, 1985), better known in his home country Brazil as Cezar Mutante, is a mixed martial artist currently competing in the light heavyweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, he has competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Professional Fighters League. He was also the inaugural winner of Globo's The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil

Cezar Ferreira
BornCezar Jesus Ferreira
(1985-02-15) February 15, 1985 (age 39)
Catanduva, São Paulo, Brazil[1]
Other namesMutante
ResidenceBoca Raton, Florida, United States
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[2]
Weight216 lb (98 kg; 15.4 st)
DivisionHeavyweight
Light Heavyweight
Middleweight
Welterweight
Reach78 in (198 cm) [3]
StyleBrazilian Jiu Jitsu, Capoeira
Fighting out ofBelo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
TeamBlackzilians (2013–2016)[4]
Extreme Couture
MMA Masters (2016–present)[5]
Rank3rd degree[citation needed] black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[6]
Master in Capoeira[6]
Years active2007–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total25
Wins14
By knockout4
By submission4
By decision6
Losses11
By knockout6
By decision5
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Ferreira was born in Catanduva, but grew up in Ibitinga, São Paulo.[1] He began training capoeira at the age of six.[1] Cezar grew up wrestling and practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu throughout his childhood and adolescence. Viewing tapes of UFC Hall of Famer Royce Gracie fighting caused his interest in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA to grow.[7] However, after having a rough home life and having to leave at seventeen years old, Mutante found Vitor Belfort who took him in as his own son, helping to raise him and take care of him. Belfort began training Ferreira in MMA at his gym.[8]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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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.[7] He was placed on the Ring of Fire 40 card in Broomfield, Colorado, on April 16, 2011. Ferreira defeated Chaun Sims via knockout only 17 seconds into round one. Ferreira took his second professional defeat at Superior Cage Combat 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 20, 2011, losing to Elvis Mutapčić via one-punch knockout.

The Ultimate Fighter

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In March 2012, it was revealed that Mutante was selected to be a participant on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. Mutante defeated Gustavo Sampaio by submission with a guillotine choke in the second round to move into the Ultimate Fighter house, and become an official cast member.

Mutante was selected as the first pick (second overall) by his mentor and real-life coach Vitor Belfort to be a part of Team Vitor. In the second Middleweight fight of the season, Mutante was selected to fight Leonardo Mafra. Mutante won via submission (guillotine choke) in the second round.[9] 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

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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.[10] Ferreira won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ferreira was expected to face C. B. Dollaway on May 18, 2013, at UFC on FX 8.[11] However, Dollaway was forced out of the bout with an injury and was replaced by Chris Camozzi.[12] Then on April 7, Ferreira pulled out of the fight as well, citing an injury and was replaced by Rafael Natal.[13]

Ferreira was expected to face Clint Hester on August 3, 2013, at UFC 163.[14] However, Hester was forced out of the bout and Ferreira instead faced promotional newcomer Thiago Santos.[15] He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Ferreira faced Daniel Sarafian on November 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 32.[16] 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.[17] Ferreira lost via TKO in the first round.

Ferreira faced Andrew Craig on June 28, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 44.[18] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ferreira faced Sam Alvey on February 22, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 61.[19] Alvey won the fight via knockout in the first round.[20]

Ferreira faced Jorge Masvidal in a welterweight bout on July 12, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale.[21] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[22]

Ferreira was expected to face Caio Magalhães on April 16, 2016, at UFC on Fox 19.[23] 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.[24] Ferreira won the fight via unanimous decision.[25]

Ferreira next faced Anthony Smith on July 8, 2016, at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale.[26] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[27]

Ferreira faced Jack Hermansson on November 19, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 100.[28] He won the fight via submission in the second round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.[29][30]

Ferreira faced Elias Theodorou on February 19, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 105.[31] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[32]

Ferreira faced Nate Marquardt on November 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 120.[33] He won the fight via split decision.[34]

Ferreira faced Karl Roberson on May 12, 2018, at UFC 224.[35] He won the fight via technical submission in the first round.[36]

Ferreira was expected to face Tom Breese on November 17, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 140.[37] 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.[38] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[39]

The pairing with Breese was rescheduled and was expected to take place on March 16, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 147.[40] However, on February 1, 2019, Ferreira withdrew from the fight on February 1, citing a knee injury.[41]

Ferreira faced Marvin Vettori on July 13, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 155.[42] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[43]

Professional Fighters League

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In March 2020, Ferreira signed with Professional Fighters League.[44]

Ferreira faced Nick Roehrick on April 29, 2021, at PFL 2 as the start of the 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight tournament.[45] He won the fight via knockout 37 seconds into the first round.[46]

Ferreira faced Chris Camozzi at PFL 5 on June 17, 2021.[47] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[48]

Ferreira faced Marthin Hamlet in the Semifinals off the Light Heavyweight tournament on August 27, 2021, at PFL 9.[49] Off his very first kick, Ferreira injured his hamstring, which sent him down to the canvas and the fight was called.[50]

Ferreira, replacing Patrick Brady, faced Denis Goltsov on April 14, 2023 at PFL 3.[51] He lost the bout in the first round, getting knocked out by ground and pound.[52] In early May, it was announced that Ferreira had failed a commission drug test and was pulled from the season.[53] Ferreira was later suspended 9 months and fined for testing positive for Clomiphene and androstanolone[54]

Championships and awards

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Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
25 matches 14 wins 11 losses
By knockout 4 6
By submission 4 0
By decision 6 5
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 14–11 Denis Goltsov KO (punches) PFL 3 (2023) April 14, 2023 1 2:07 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Heavyweight debut.
Loss 14–10 Marthin Hamlet TKO (leg injury) PFL 9 (2021) August 27, 2021 1 0:13 Hollywood, Florida, United States 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal.
Loss 14–9 Chris Camozzi Decision (unanimous) PFL 5 (2021) June 17, 2021 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 14–8 Nick Roehrick KO (punches) PFL 2 (2021) April 29, 2021 1 0:37 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Return to Light Heavyweight.
Loss 13–8 Marvin Vettori Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: de Randamie vs. Ladd July 13, 2019 3 5:00 Sacramento, California, United States
Loss 13–7 Ian Heinisch Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Ponzinibbio November 17, 2018 3 5:00 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Win 13–6 Karl Roberson Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC 224 May 12, 2018 1 4:45 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 12–6 Nate Marquardt Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Poirier vs. Pettis November 11, 2017 3 5:00 Norfolk, Virginia, United States
Loss 11–6 Elias Theodorou Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne February 19, 2017 3 5:00 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win 11–5 Jack Hermansson Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Bader vs. Nogueira 2 November 19, 2016 2 2:11 São Paulo, Brazil Performance of the Night.
Win 10–5 Anthony Smith Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia Finale July 8, 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 9–5 Oluwale Bamgbose Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans April 16, 2016 3 5:00 Tampa, Florida, United States Return to Middleweight.
Loss 8–5 Jorge Masvidal KO (elbow and punches) The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzilians Finale July 12, 2015 1 4:22 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Welterweight debut.
Loss 8–4 Sam Alvey KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir February 22, 2015 1 3:34 Porto Alegre, Brazil
Win 8–3 Andrew Craig Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens June 28, 2014 3 5:00 San Antonio, Texas, United States
Loss 7–3 C. B. Dollaway KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Henderson 2 March 23, 2014 1 0:39 Natal, Brazil
Win 7–2 Daniel Sarafian Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson 2 November 9, 2013 3 5:00 Goiânia, Brazil
Win 6–2 Thiago Santos Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 163 August 3, 2013 1 0:47 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 5–2 Sérgio Moraes Decision (unanimous) UFC 147 June 23, 2012 3 5:00 Belo Horizonte, Brazil Won The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil Middleweight Tournament.
Loss 4–2 Elvis Mutapčić KO (punch) Superior Cage Combat 2 August 20, 2011 1 0:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–1 Chaun Sims KO (punch) Ring of Fire 40 April 16, 2011 1 0:17 Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Win 3–1 Cassiano de Freitas TKO (doctor stoppage) Bitetti Combat 7 May 28, 2010 2 3:37 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 2–1 Felipe Arinelli Technical Submission (D'Arce choke) Bitetti Combat 6 February 25, 2010 2 0:55 Brasília, Brazil
Loss 1–1 Antônio Braga Neto Decision (unanimous) XFC Brazil 1 April 29, 2007 1 10:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 1–0 André Severo TKO (punches) XFC Brazil 1 April 29, 2007 1 1:29 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Middleweight debut.

[55]

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

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Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 3–0 Thiago Perpétuo KO (head kick) The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 1 1:26 Brazil Fought at 185.
Win 2–0 Leonardo Mafra Submission (guillotine choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2 1:05 Brazil Fought at 185.
Win 1–0 Gustavo Sampaio Submission (guillotine choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 1 1:36 Brazil Fought at 185.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Cezar Mutante vem a Curitiba para reencontro com mestres". bemparana.com.br (in Portuguese). July 24, 2017.
  2. ^ "Fight Card - The Ultimate Fighter Finale American Top Team vs. Blackzilians". UFC.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  3. ^ "Cezar Ferreira". www.pflmma.com.
  4. ^ Zane Simon (April 23, 2013). "Mauricio Rua cuts ties with André Dida; Cezer Ferreira joins Blackzilians". bloodyelbow.com.
  5. ^ John Morgan (January 26, 2016). "'TUF: Brazil 1' winner Cezar 'Mutante' Ferreira moves to Florida's MMA Masters team". MMAjunkie.com.
  6. ^ a b "Cezar Ferreira - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Cezar Ferreira TUF Profile". UFC.com. April 1, 2012. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  8. ^ "TUF Brasil Episode Five Recap". UFC.com. April 23, 2012. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2012.
  9. ^ "Episode No. 5 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil'". Archived from the original on 2012-04-24. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  10. ^ "Sergio Moraes replaces injured Daniel Sarafian in 'TUF: Brazil' middleweight final | MMAjunkie.com". Archived from the original on 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2012-06-18.
  11. ^ Staff (2013-03-04). "Roger Gracie e Cezar Mutante reforçam card do UFC em Jaraguá (Brazilian Portuguese)". portaldovaletudo.com.br. Archived from the original on 2013-04-07. Retrieved 2013-03-04.
  12. ^ "Chris Camozzi in for injured C.B. Dollaway vs. Cezar Ferreira at UFC on FX 8". mmajunkie.com. April 1, 2013.
  13. ^ "Chris Camozzi vs. Rafael Natal slated for UFC on FX 8 in Brazil". mmajunkie.com. 2013-04-07. Retrieved 2013-04-07.
  14. ^ Dana Becker (2013-05-30). "Cezar Ferreira-Clint Hester Slated For UFC 163". fightline.com. Archived from the original on 2013-06-16. Retrieved 2013-05-30.
  15. ^ Christoferr Esping (2013-07-18). "Clint Hester skadad, Thiago 'Marreta' möter nu Cezar 'Mutante' på UFC 163". mmanytt.se. Retrieved 2013-07-18.
  16. ^ Staff (2013-09-04). "Cezar Ferriera vs. Daniel Sarafian set for November's UFC Fight Night 32 co-main". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
  17. ^ Guilherme Cruz (14 January 2014). "Cezar Ferreira vs. CB Dollaway agreed for UFC event in Brazil". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  18. ^ Daniel Saludo (2014-04-22). "Craig to fight Ferreira in San Antonio". csnhouston.com. Retrieved 2014-04-22.
  19. ^ Tristen Critchfield (2014-12-18). "Ferreira-Alvey announced for UFC Fight Night in Brazil on Feb. 22". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2014-12-18.
  20. ^ Steven Marrocco (2015-02-22). "UFC Fight Night 61 results: Sam Alvey all smiles after bulldozing Cezar Ferreira". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-02-22.
  21. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2015-05-07). "Jorge Masvidal moves up to welterweight, meets Cezar Ferreira at TUF 21 Finale". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-05-07.
  22. ^ Matt Erickson (2015-07-12). "TUF 21 Finale results: Jorge Masvidal returns to 170, gets big KO of Cezar Ferreira". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  23. ^ Tristen Critchfield (2016-02-17). "Caio Magalhaes to face Cezar 'Mutante' at UFC on Fox 19". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  24. ^ Damon Martin (2016-04-09). "Caio Magalhaes out; Oluwale Bamgbose to face Cezar Ferreira in Tampa". foxsports.com. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  25. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-04-16). "UFC on FOX 19 results: Cezar Ferreira grinds out Oluwale Bamgbose after wobbly start". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-04-16.
  26. ^ Staff (2016-04-28). "Cezar Ferreira in for Scott Askham at TUF 23 Finale in Las Vegas vs. Anthony Smith". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  27. ^ Ben Fowlkes (2016-07-08). "TUF 23 Finale results: Cezar Ferreira uses takedown-heavy game plan to top Anthony Smith". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-07-08.
  28. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2016-09-29). "Cezar Ferreira vs. Jack Hermansson slated for UFC Fight Night 100 in Sao Paulo". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  29. ^ Steven Marrocco (2016-11-19). "UFC Fight Night 100 results: Cezar Ferreira chokes out Jack Hermansson in second round". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2016-11-19.
  30. ^ Tristen Critchfield (2016-11-19). "UFC Fight Night 100 bonuses: Almeida, Ferreira, Antiglov, Munhoz pocket $50K". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-11-19.
  31. ^ Lucas Rezende (2016-12-07). "Theodorou vs. Ferreira set for UFC Halifax". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2016-12-07.
  32. ^ Andrew Pearson (2017-02-19). "UFC Fight Night 105 results: Elias Theodorou edges out Cezar Ferreira via decision". mmammamania.com. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  33. ^ Lucas Rezende (2017-08-05). "Nate Marquardt vs. Cezar Mutante set for UFC Fight Night in Norfolk". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2017-08-05.
  34. ^ "UFC Fight Night 120 results: Cezar Ferreira edges out Nate Marquardt, calls out Paulo Costa". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-12. Retrieved 2017-11-12.
  35. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2018-02-19). "Cezar Ferreira meets Karl Roberson at UFC 224 in Brazil". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
  36. ^ "UFC 224 results: Cezar Ferreira puts Karl Roberson to sleep with slick arm-triangle choke". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-13. Retrieved 2018-05-13.
  37. ^ Marcelo Barone and Raphael Marinho (2018-08-21). "In search of the third consecutive victory, Mutante faces Breese in Argentina" (in Portuguese). sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 2018-08-22.
  38. ^ "Breese deixa luta contra Mutante no UFC Argentina, e Ian Heinisch é escolhido como substituto". Sportv (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  39. ^ "UFC Argentina results: Ian Heinisch outpoints Cezar Ferreira in gutsy debut". MMAjunkie. 2018-11-18. Retrieved 2018-11-18.
  40. ^ Peter Carroll (2018-01-08). "Tom Breese gets new UFC London assignment as Cezar Ferreria replaces Alessio Di Chirico". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2019-01-08.
  41. ^ Newswire, MMA Fighting (2019-02-01). "Cezar Ferreira announces withdrawal from UFC London". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-02-02.
  42. ^ Jay Pettry. "UFC returns to Sacramento in July". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-04-26.
  43. ^ "UFC Sacramento: Marvin Vettori damages, outworks Cezar Ferreira". FanSided. 2019-07-13. Retrieved 2019-07-14.
  44. ^ Marrocco, Steven (2020-03-12). "UFC vet Cezar Ferreira signs with PFL". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2020-03-12.
  45. ^ Damon Martin (March 2, 2021). "Rory MacDonald faces David Michaud in PFL debut as welterweights, light heavyweights begin season on April 29". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  46. ^ Marrocco, Steven (2021-04-29). "PFL 2 results: Rory MacDonald tricks Curtis Millender, gets first-round tapout". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  47. ^ Newswire, MMA Fighting (2021-05-19). "Rory MacDonald vs. Gleison Tibau headlines PFL 5 main card with welterweights and light heavyweights". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  48. ^ "PFL 5: Rory MacDonald, Ray Cooper III, Emiliano Sordi secure playoff spots". ESPN.com. 2021-06-17. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  49. ^ Newswire, MMA Fighting (2021-07-20). "PFL playoff cards announced with first event kicking off Aug. 13 with Rory MacDonald vs. Ray Cooper in main event". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  50. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-08-27). "PFL Playoffs 3 Results: Ferreira Falls to Injury, Antonio Carlos Jr. Will Face Marthin Hamlet in October". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-08-28.
  51. ^ "Cezar 'Mutante' Replaces Patrick Brady, Makes HW Debut vs. Denis Goltsov at PFL 3". Yardbarker. 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  52. ^ "Denis Goltsov drags Cezar Ferreira to the mat and deals out massive damage for a Quick Six". www.pflmma.com. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  53. ^ "Nine PFL fighters suspended, scrambling season". ESPN.com. 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  54. ^ "7 PFL fighters punished for drug tests; multiple bout results overturned". MMA Junkie. 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  55. ^ Sherdog.com. "Cezar". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
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