Joanderson Brito

Joanderson Brito, known by the nickname "Tubarao" ("Shark"), is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the featherweight division of the UFC.

Brito hails from Maranhao, Brazil, and built his mixed martial arts career largely on Brazil's regional circuit before turning professional. He trains with a Chute Boxe affiliate based in Bauru, Sao Paulo, under head coach Joao Emilio, continuing the striking-heavy tradition long associated with the Chute Boxe name.

Brito earned his spot on the UFC roster through Dana White's Contender Series, where he outstruck fellow Brazilian prospect Diego Lopes over two rounds before the bout was waved off in the third due to an accidental eye poke, earning him a unanimous technical decision. UFC president Dana White praised him afterward as a potential future star of Brazilian MMA.

A striker by trade, Brito fights at a relentless pace and has shown the ability to end fights early by either hand or submission, giving him one of the more well-rounded finishing games in the featherweight ranks. His grappling includes an unusual arsenal, highlighted by a standing "ninja choke" he used to submit Jonathan Pearce, a finish that became one of the most replayed submissions of the year.

Among the notable results on his resume, Brito scored a first-round technical knockout of veteran Andre Fili, a performance that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus, and he stopped Jack Shore in a bout at UFC 301 that ended in a doctor stoppage.

Brito has established himself as one of the more dangerous and exciting featherweights to emerge from Brazil's modern MMA pipeline, carrying forward the aggressive, finish-first ethos of the Chute Boxe lineage into the UFC's 145-pound division.