Antonio Carlosjr. Bio
Antônio Carlos Coelho de Figueiredo Barbosa Júnior, widely known as Antônio Carlos Jr. and by his nickname Cara de Sapato, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist competing in the Light Heavyweight division. He is signed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and is a former PFL Light Heavyweight Champion, having won the title in 2021. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, he built his reputation on the ground game before transitioning to major promotions and winning tournaments at the highest level of the sport.
Born on 16 March 1990 in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil, Carlos Jr. began combat sports at a young age and developed into one of the most decorated grappling talents in his home country. He currently trains out of Rio de Janeiro with the famed American Top Team, where he continues to refine his skills among elite mixed martial artists.
Early Life and Background
Antônio Carlos Coelho de Figueiredo Barbosa Júnior was born on 16 March 1990 in João Pessoa, the capital of the northeastern Brazilian state of Paraíba. Growing up in a country with deep roots in martial arts, he was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at an early age and quickly demonstrated a natural aptitude for the discipline. His training environment, supported by family and coaches in João Pessoa, helped him progress steadily through the sport’s colored belt ranks.
He went on to become a multiple-time champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, including recognition as a two-time World Champion in 2010 at the brown belt level in both the weight and absolute divisions. He also claimed a World Cup title in 2006 at the blue junior level, building a strong grappling résumé before transitioning to mixed martial arts. These accomplishments laid the foundation for his later success inside the cage.
Path to MMA
Carlos Jr. began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2013, fighting initially at Heavyweight before settling into the Light Heavyweight and later Middleweight divisions. He earned a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Hélder Bob Esponja Medeiros, an achievement that became central to his identity as a finisher. His grappling pedigree allowed him to secure victories through submission against high-level opposition.
In 2014, he was selected to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3, where he was chosen as the first pick of coach Wanderlei Silva. He went on to win the Heavyweight tournament, defeating Vitor Miranda in the finale via unanimous decision. That breakthrough earned him an official roster spot in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and launched his international career.
Antonio Carlosjr. Career
Early Career (2013–2014)
Carlos Jr. made his professional debut in 2013 and quickly compiled finishes on the regional Brazilian circuit using his signature submission skills. His grappling-heavy style produced early stoppages that drew the attention of major promotions scouting talent from South America. Within roughly a year of his debut, he was invited to compete on a major reality show platform.
His standout moment came on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 in 2014, where he stopped Edgard Castaldelli Filho in twelve seconds of the first round and later submitted Marcos Rogério de Lima to reach the final. He capped the run with a unanimous decision win over Vitor Miranda at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale, claiming the tournament title.
UFC Breakthrough (2014–2021)
Following his tournament win, Carlos Jr. moved to the Light Heavyweight division and made his official UFC debut against Patrick Cummins at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway in December 2014, losing by unanimous decision. He then dropped to Middleweight, where he posted a series of submission wins, including a third-round stoppage of Eddie Gordon and a second-round rear-naked choke of Eric Spicely. A first-round submission of Jack Marshman in October 2017 further established his finishing credentials.
He continued his ascent with a first-round rear-naked choke of Tim Boetsch at UFC on Fox 29 in April 2018, a win that highlighted his grappling dominance. A scheduled bout with Derek Brunson later fell through due to injury, and he experienced setbacks against Ian Heinisch and Uriah Hall in 2019. After a unanimous decision loss to Brad Tavares at UFC 257 in January 2021, the promotion released him from his contract in February 2021.
Professional Fighters League Era (2021–Present)
On 6 March 2021, Carlos Jr. signed with the Professional Fighters League and entered the 2021 Light Heavyweight season. He debuted with a first-round guillotine choke of Tom Lawlor at PFL 2, then won a semifinal unanimous decision over Emiliano Sordi at PFL 9. In the tournament final at PFL 10 on 27 October 2021, he submitted Marthin Hamlet in the first round via rear-naked choke to claim the 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Championship and the one million dollar prize.
He remained active in 2022 with quick wins over Delan Monte and Bruce Souto before an ACL injury forced him to the sidelines. Returning in April 2024, he submitted Simon Biyong at PFL 2, though he dropped a decision to Alex Polizzi at PFL 5. In 2025, he entered the PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament and won the quarterfinal over Karl Moore by split decision, the semifinal over Simeon Powell by unanimous decision, and the final over Sullivan Cauley by second-round submission at PFL 10 on 21 August 2025, becoming champion again.
Style and Strengths
Carlos Jr. is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous submission grapplers in the Light Heavyweight division, with a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt earned under Hélder Bob Esponja Medeiros. He blends that grappling base with Muay Thai striking, allowing him to threaten opponents both on the feet and on the ground. Many of his finishes come by way of rear-naked choke or brabo choke, with his ground control and positional pressure setting up his most decisive moments.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most memorable moments is his twelve-second knockout of Edgard Castaldelli Filho on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3, a victory that announced his arrival on the national stage. He later captured the 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Championship by submitting Marthin Hamlet, then returned in 2025 to win the PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament for a second time with a submission of Sullivan Cauley. These performances have cemented his reputation as a consistent finisher in high-stakes matchups.
Antonio Carlosjr. Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Antônio Carlos Jr. has compiled a record of nineteen wins against six losses and two no contests, with most of his victories coming by submission. His finishing rate and tournament success in major promotions have made him one of the more accomplished Brazilian fighters of his generation.
PFL Highlights
Carlos Jr. captured the 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Championship by submitting Marthin Hamlet in the first round of the tournament final, earning the one million dollar top prize. He returned to form in 2024 with a first-round rear-naked choke of Simon Biyong, then in 2025 won three consecutive bouts over Karl Moore, Simeon Powell, and Sullivan Cauley to claim the PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament title once again. His most recent win, the August 2025 submission of Cauley, reinforced his status among the division’s top contenders.
UFC and Other Performances
During his UFC tenure, Carlos Jr. earned notable stoppages over Eddie Gordon, Eric Spicely, Jack Marshman, and Tim Boetsch, with several of those wins coming by rear-naked choke. Earlier in his career, he was also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Cup Champion in 2006 and a two-time World Champion in 2010 at brown belt, accomplishments that established his grappling credentials before he ever stepped into a professional cage.
| Division | Wins | Losses | No Contests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall MMA Record | 19 | 6 | 2 |
Antonio Carlosjr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Antônio Carlos Coelho de Figueiredo Barbosa Júnior was raised in João Pessoa, Paraíba, a region of Brazil known for producing accomplished martial artists. Limited public information is available about his parents or extended family, and he has not publicly shared extensive details about his family’s involvement in his career.
Personal Life
Carlos Jr. currently resides in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he trains with American Top Team. He has kept most of his personal life private, and verified public details about a spouse or children are not currently available.
2025 Season Performance
Carlos Jr. entered 2025 as a returning PFL Light Heavyweight contender and was officially added to the 2025 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament in March. He opened the postseason with a hard-fought split decision win over Karl Moore in the quarterfinals at PFL 4, then advanced past Simeon Powell by unanimous decision at PFL 7. Those results set up a high-stakes tournament final against Sullivan Cauley at PFL 10.
In the championship bout on 21 August 2025, Carlos Jr. submitted Cauley in the second round to claim the tournament title and the PFL Light Heavyweight Championship for the second time. The win further cemented his standing as one of the division’s most reliable grapplers and a proven closer in tournament play.
With another championship secured and his partnership with American Top Team producing consistent results, Carlos Jr. enters the next phase of his career as a top-ranked PFL Light Heavyweight. His blend of veteran experience and elite submission skill positions him as a central figure in the division going forward.