Luana Carolina Bio
Luana Carolina Carvalho de Souza, born June 11, 1993, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist competing in the women’s Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Known by her ring name “Dread,” she has been active in professional MMA since 2015 and fights out of São Paulo, Brazil with the Capital da Luta team.
Early Life and Background
Luana Carolina was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. Details about her family background and early life remain private, but she began training in martial arts at a young age, developing skills in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in which she holds blue belts. Her early training laid the foundation for her professional MMA career.
Path to MMA
Carolina started her professional MMA career in 2015, competing on the regional Brazilian circuit. She quickly made a name for herself with a strong record that led to an invitation to Dana White’s Contender Series Brazil 3 in 2018. There, she secured a unanimous decision win over Mabelly Lima, earning her a contract with the UFC and marking her transition to the international stage.
Luana Carolina Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Luana Carolina began competing professionally in 2015, building a record of 4 wins and 1 loss on the Brazilian regional scene. Her performances caught the attention of UFC scouts, culminating in her appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series Brazil 3 in August 2018. Her victory on the show earned her a UFC contract, setting the stage for her debut in the premier MMA organization.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2019–Present)
Carolina made her UFC debut on short notice at UFC 237 in May 2019, replacing Wu Yanan to face Priscila Cachoeira. She won the fight by unanimous decision, demonstrating her readiness for the highest level of competition. In 2020, she faced Ariane Lipski but lost by submission in the first round. Carolina rebounded with wins over Poliana Botelho and Lupita Godinez in 2021, showcasing her resilience and skill. She experienced a knockout loss to Molly McCann in 2022 but continued competing actively with mixed results, including a recent technical knockout win over Julija Stoliarenko in February 2024 and a unanimous decision victory against Lucie Pudilová in July 2024.
Capital da Luta Era (Present)
Currently fighting out of São Paulo with the Capital da Luta team, Luana Carolina continues to develop her craft in the Flyweight division. She has demonstrated versatility and toughness, competing against top contenders and maintaining a competitive presence in the UFC. Her recent move up to Bantamweight in 2025 resulted in a unanimous decision loss to Michelle Montague, indicating her willingness to challenge herself across weight classes.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Luana Carolina combines striking and grappling skills, holding blue belts in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Her reach of 175 cm and height of 168 cm give her physical advantages in the Flyweight division. She employs a balanced approach, utilizing stand-up striking and ground techniques effectively, supported by her training team at Capital da Luta.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key moments in Carolina’s career include her UFC debut win on short notice, earning a contract through Dana White’s Contender Series, and overcoming catchweight challenges with successful outcomes. Her technical knockout victory over Julija Stoliarenko marked a significant highlight, showcasing her finishing ability at the highest level.
Luana Carolina Career Wins
Luana Carolina has accumulated a professional record of 11 wins and 5 losses. Her victories include 3 by decision, 1 by knockout, and 1 by submission, reflecting a well-rounded skill set across multiple disciplines.
UFC Highlights
Since joining the UFC in 2019, Carolina has secured multiple wins, including unanimous and split decisions against notable opponents such as Priscila Cachoeira, Poliana Botelho, Lupita Godinez, Ivana Petrović, and Lucie Pudilová. Her first UFC win came in her debut fight, and she has continued to be a competitive presence in the Flyweight division with recent finishes and decision victories.
Other Wins & Performances
Before joining the UFC, Carolina compiled a strong regional record in Brazil, going 4–1 and earning her invitation to the Contender Series. Her early career success laid the groundwork for her advancement to the global stage.
Luana Carolina Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Information about Luana Carolina’s family background and lineage is not publicly available.
Personal Life
Details regarding Carolina’s personal life, including marital status and children, have not been publicly disclosed. She resides in São Paulo, Brazil, where she continues her training and professional career.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Luana Carolina planned to face Montana De La Rosa in March, but the bout was canceled due to issues with her weight cut. Later in the year, she moved up to the Bantamweight division and fought Michelle Montague in September, losing by unanimous decision despite a point deduction against her. These developments indicate a transitional phase in her career as she explores new weight classes and seeks to regain momentum.