Johnny Eduardo
Active 2012–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 71.0
Scouting report
Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and representing the Nova Uniao academy, Johnny Eduardo is a Muay Thai striker who scored knockouts against ranked contenders in the Octagon. His leg kicks, counter-striking, and black-belt jiu-jitsu defense are built around an 80 Cardio rating and 78 Boxing.
Peak ratings
By edition
Eduardo dropped a decision to Raphael Assuncao in his 2011 debut before scoring a unanimous decision over Jeff Curran at UFC on Fuel TV 3 in Fairfax. Sidelined by recurring injuries through 2013, his Muay Thai striking and submission base from Nova Uniao are reflected in a 78 Boxing and 74 Fight IQ rating over this stretch.
Returning from a two-year layoff in May 2014 at UFC Fight Night 40, Eduardo scored a first-round knockout of top-ranked Eddie Wineland in Cincinnati before losing to Aljamain Sterling by guillotine in round two at UFC Fight Night 80 in December 2015 in Las Vegas. His right-hand counter and kickboxing anchor his 78 Boxing and 74 Kickboxing ratings during this comeback window.
In November 2016, Eduardo knocked out Manny Gamburyan in round two at UFC Fight Night 100 in Sao Paulo before losing to Matthew Lopez by first-round TKO in June 2017 at UFC 212 in Rio de Janeiro. His power and leg kicks are reflected in a 78 Boxing and 74 Fight IQ score across these bouts.
Johnny Eduardo, a Brazilian who came out of Vale Tudo
Johnny Eduardo started professionally at sixteen in Brazil and fought in the country early on. In December 1999 he made his international debut at Vale Tudo Japan against Takanori Gomi and lost by rear-naked choke. He was a runner-up in the IVC 7 lightweight tournament and held the Shooto Brazil lightweight title. His run at the top level began in 2011, and he is best remembered for one knockout, of Eddie Wineland.
Eduardo attribute breakdown
Boxing. His best striking. He knocked out Eddie Wineland in the first round in 2014.
Kickboxing. Reasonable, and it backs up the boxing.
Wrestling. The weakest. Aljamain Sterling and Nathaniel Wood both submitted him.
BJJ. Capable but not a threat. Alejandro Perez submitted him with a scarf hold armlock in 2021.
Strength. Average for the weight.
Durability. He was stopped by Matthew Lopez in 2017 but beat Manvel Gamburyan by TKO in 2016.
Cardio. Good enough to grind through a decision against Jeff Curran, his first win in the promotion.
Fight IQ. Veteran instincts from a long career, dating back to Vale Tudo Japan.
Stamina from a long career
Cardio is 80, his highest attribute. His first win at the top level came by unanimous decision over Jeff Curran in 2012, and two years later he knocked out Wineland in the first round. That mix of grind and surprise is why he can pull upsets.
Wrestling is where he gets caught
His wrestling rating is 68. Aljamain Sterling submitted him in 2015, and Nathaniel Wood finished him with a D'Arce choke in 2018. A grappler who can take him down will find a path to a finish.
Keep exploring
Closest bantamweight profiles to Johnny Eduardo, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Davey Grantbest cardio 82 · weakest strength 73
- Louis Smolkabest cardio 82 · weakest strength 70
- John Castanedabest cardio 82 · weakest strength 74
- Ivan Menjivarbest cardio 82 · weakest strength 72
- Bantamweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Protecting your streak: a guide that fits Johnny Eduardo's strongest attribute, Cardio.
Draft Johnny Eduardo into your build
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Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Johnny Eduardo is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Johnny Eduardo's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.