Jussier Formiga
Active 2012–present · rated in 5 editions · peak overall 80.0
Scouting report
Jussier Formiga entered the UFC ranked as one of the top flyweights outside the promotion, carrying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu credentials from Nova Uniao. Born in Natal, Brazil, Formiga defeated future champion Deiveson Figueiredo and contender Sergio Pettis through back-takes and rear-naked chokes, reflected in a 93 BJJ, 84 Cardio, and 82 Wrestling.
Peak ratings
By edition
Formiga entered the UFC in 2012, losing his debut by TKO to John Dodson before earning his first promotional win over Chris Cariaso at UFC on FX 8. In September 2013, he was stopped by Joseph Benavidez at UFC Fight Night 28. His back-taking and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu against top-ranked opposition are reflected in a 92 BJJ and 80 Wrestling.
Between 2014 and 2015, Formiga put together a three-fight winning streak, submitting Scott Jorgensen via rear-naked choke and earning decision wins over Zach Makovsky and Wilson Reis before dropping a split-decision loss to Henry Cejudo in Monterrey, Mexico. His positional control, takedown chains, and defensive grappling against contenders are reflected in a 92 BJJ and 82 Fight IQ.
In 2016, Formiga outpointed Dustin Ortiz at UFC Fight Night 95. In 2017, he lost a unanimous decision to Ray Borg at UFC Fight Night 106 but rebounded by submitting Ulka Sasaki with a rear-naked choke in Saitama, Japan at UFC Fight Night 117. His guard passing and takedown setups are reflected in his 92 BJJ and 80 Wrestling.
Formiga's strongest run came from 2018 to early 2019: he submitted Ben Nguyen via rear-naked choke in round three at 1:43 and defeated Sergio Pettis and future champion Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous decision. A rematch loss to Joseph Benavidez in June 2019 ended the streak; his grappling control is reflected in a 93 BJJ and 84 Fight IQ.
In 2020, Formiga lost a unanimous decision to Brandon Moreno at UFC Fight Night 170 in Brasilia and dropped a stoppage defeat to Alex Perez at UFC 250 via calf kicks. His grappling defense in this closing stretch is reflected in his 92 BJJ and 80 Wrestling.
Jussier Formiga, the Brazilian who ground out flyweight decisions
Jussier Formiga came up through Shooto in Brazil, where he held the South America 123 pound title and defended it with a decision over Alexandre Pantoja in 2010. He then fought for Tachi Palace Fights in California before signing with the top promotion in 2012. Later he moved from Brazil to Florida to train at American Top Team. His flyweight run was long and uneven, full of close decisions and a handful of clean submissions. Draft him if you want a ground specialist who tends to make fights ugly for the other side.
The Formiga ratings, one at a time
Boxing. Serviceable. He kept the referee interested, but his wins came from grappling far more than from punches.
Kickboxing. The lowest number on the card. Nothing in his record suggests he won fights from range.
Wrestling. Better than most flyweights expected. He could get opponents down and hold them there for long stretches of a decision.
BJJ. The peak skill. He finished Scott Jorgensen with a first-round rear-naked choke in 2014 and Ulka Sasaki with a first-round submission in 2017.
Strength. Adequate for the weight. Most of his fights were decided by technique, not by pushing people around.
Durability. He was stopped by Joseph Benavidez in both meetings and by Alex Perez in 2020, so the chin is not the selling point.
Cardio. Good enough to go the distance many times, including a win over Dustin Ortiz in 2016 and a decision over Deiveson Figueiredo in 2019.
Fight IQ. He found the submission when a fight was close. His technical submission of Ben Nguyen in 2018 earned Performance of the Night.
Jiu-jitsu is the whole reason to pick him
His BJJ rating is 93, the highest number on his card and well clear of everything else. Once a fight hits the mat, he threatens chokes from back control and from scrambles. If you can get the fight down, few flyweights in this pool are more dangerous on top, and against a striker with poor takedown defense he can turn a slow fight into a win.
Kickboxing is where he leaks
At 68, kickboxing is his lowest rating. Joseph Benavidez stopped him in the first round in 2013 and again in the second round of their 2019 rematch, and Alex Perez stopped him in the first round in 2020. A rangy striker who can keep him at the end of a kick will not have to deal with his ground game for long.
Keep exploring
Closest flyweight profiles to Jussier Formiga, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Wilson Reisbest bjj 92 · weakest strength 72
- Ray Borgbest bjj 86 · weakest strength 73
- Zach Makovskybest cardio 84 · weakest strength 71
- Rogerio Bontorinbest bjj 84 · weakest strength 73
- Flyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Jussier Formiga's strongest attribute, BJJ.
Draft Jussier Formiga into your build
Jussier Formiga enters the pool on any spin landing on flyweight between 2010 and 2022. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Jussier Formiga is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Jussier Formiga'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.