Brunno “The Hulk” Ferreira has solidified his reputation in the UFC with his jaw-dropping spinning-back elbow knockout against middleweight Dustin Stolzfus. This powerful strike became an instant classic, marking only the 8th elbow KO in UFC history—a testament to Ferreira’s formidable strength and skill, living up to his nickname.

A professional since 2019, Ferreira’s background remains relatively unknown despite his rising status in the middleweight division. Fans are eager to learn more about where he grew up and how he transformed into “The Hulk.” Let’s dive into his journey from his roots to his powerhouse presence in the UFC.

Where is Brunno Ferreira from? Ethnicity and nationality

Born on April 11, 1992, in Brazil, Brunno Ferreira shares roots with another UFC powerhouse, Alex Pereira. Known for his fiery personality even as a child, Ferreira often found himself in scuffles at both school and home. To channel his energy positively, his mother enrolled him in judo classes at the age of four, sparking a lifelong journey in martial arts.

Reflecting on his early start in combat sports, Ferreira shared with the UFC how his mother’s decision was pivotal in shaping his path. The middleweight star stated, ‘I was very quarrelsome in my childhood and at school, so I started training very early at the age of four because a sensei recommended judo to my mother to discipline me. And so I never stopped fighting. It’s 23 years of judo and 16 years of jiu-jitsu.”

The UFC star has been training in judo for a whopping 23 years! Ferreira has honed his skills to the point where they’re practically second nature—a testament to his years of dedication and muscle memory. Before breaking into the professional MMA scene, Ferreira took on various jobs, working as a judo teacher, a bicycle delivery man, and even a night security guard to make ends meet.

Since joining the UFC, Ferreira has made waves with his powerful performances and currently boasts a professional record of 12-1-0. His journey has been nothing short of remarkable, so let’s take a closer look at how he launched his professional career and began his rise to UFC stardom.

How did ‘The Hulk’ start fighting? Early life and more

Ferreira started judo at the tender age of 4, and then there was no looking back. Ferreira is a three-time national judo champion, a runner-up in the Pan-American games, and a runner-up in world no-gi jiu-jitsu. Additionally, he held the Big Shot MMA organization belt, further establishing his name in combat sports.

In 2022, Ferreira’s career took a pivotal turn when he participated in the Dana White Contender Series, where his victory over Leon Aliu earned him a coveted spot on the UFC roster. He made an impressive debut at UFC 283, defeating Gregory Rodrigues, but then faced a setback with a loss to Nursulton Ruziboev. Undeterred, Ferreira bounced back with wins over Phil Hawes and Dustin Stoltzfus, the latter victory becoming iconic due to his stunning spinning elbow knockout. This highlight-reel finish left UFC fans in awe, solidifying Ferreira’s status as a force to be reckoned with.

Even veterans like Aljamain Sterling commented on his win and posted on X saying, “Those back elbows were vicious!!” Even KO artist Terrance McKinney paid honor to his nickname ‘Hulk’ and said on X, “Two spinning back elbows crazy man the hulk came to smash no Di*** LMFAO.”

Ferreira is currently riding high on a two-fight winning streak and now has his sights set on Abus Magomedov at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. Are you excited to see him back in action? Tell us in the comment section below!