The never-ending influx of high-level grappling champion to MMA now features Renato Canuto, a IBJJF world champion (gi and no-gi) who is now 2-0 in the cage with back-to-back soccer kick knockouts. And his goal is clear: keep adding finishes to his resume and evolve enough to earn a shot in the UFC in 2026.
Canuto made short work of Caleb Contreras this past weekend at Tuff-N-Uff 149, scoring another sub-minute knockout in Las Vegas.
“It was funny because last time I didn’t plan it at all,” Canuto told MMA Fighting of the soccer kicks to the body. “It was just in the heat of the moment, just trying to stop the fight. This time it was even funnier, because when I stood up to give him some space and saw the guy there, it was kind of automatic. The referee didn’t stop the fight, so I was like, ‘ah, I’ll just kick him’ [laughs].”
Canuto’s goal is to compete at the upcoming UFC BJJ 4 card in December, where his wife Raquel Canuto battles Aurelie Le Vern for the inaugural UFC BJJ featherweight belt. He’s not planning on wasting any time after that, eyeing a MMA bout for January and eventually rematching Andrew Tackett for the UFC BJJ belt after that.
If all goes according to his plans, Canuto will be the UFC BJJ champion and 4-0 in MMA by mid-2026, either signed to the UFC or set to compete at Dana White’s Contender Series.
“That’s the intention,” Canuto said. “If things keep going the way they are and I keep proving I have what it takes, I want to be part of that Contender Series — or maybe even jump straight into the UFC. Either way, I don’t mind. I don’t feel any pressure. … No rush, but at the same time doing everything the way I’ve been doing it, I think by the middle or end of next year I should have a better idea if I’ll be in the UFC or not.”
Canuto decided to make the transition to MMA by the end of 2021 after winning the IBJJF world championship with the gi. He believes — and hopes — that being a star at UFC BJJ could help lead to the UFC as a mixed martial artist.
“I’ve been investing in that same idea,” Canuto said. “There’s already been an event where [UFC CEO Dana White] came to watch, he saw my wife’s match, saw mine, and he loved it, thought it was awesome. I even pointed at him like, ‘Remember me, don’t forget who I am’ [laughs]. I think the right people are already paying attention.”
“At the end of 2021, everyone was reevaluating life after COVID,” he added. “I was thinking what else can I do to improve my situation. I was already teaching classes, I had competed a lot in jiu-jitsu, and my goal was always to move to MMA. I felt like jiu-jitsu was losing some of that spark, that excitement of wanting to prove myself, and MMA brought that back.”
Canuto inked a six-fight deal with ONE Championship in 2021 and hoped it would not only allow him to compete under grappling rules for the Asian company, but make his MMA debut for them. He lost his first match in Asia, a decision defeat to short-notice replacement Tommy Langaker in grappling, and felt everything change between him and the promotion.
“I ended up losing a decision in my first grappling match and that was basically it, I was dead to them,” Canuto laughed. “I think felt like I had lost value for them. Everyone wants the guy who wins all the time, but I never got another chance to come back and prove otherwise.”
When UFC started investing in grappling events with UFC Fight Pass Invitational, and Canuto’s wife joined the promotion, Renato eventually parted ways with ONE inked a deal with them. He kept the door to MMA opened, and signed a four-fight deal with Tuff N Uff to finally make his debut in 2025.
Canuto may have lost many years stuck on a deal with ONE, but feels more prepared for the sport after dedicating countless hours in the gym.
“Back then, I would’ve been much more dependent on jiu-jitsu,” Canuto said. “I’m much more used to [getting punched in the face] now. I think I can already fight guys at a much higher level than before, but I’m following what my manager and the matchmaker say. I’m trusting the process.”
Canuto is coached by Matheus Naccache and has trained with a number of UFC fighters in the gym, from up-and-comers Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani and Evan Elder to veterans and former champions such as Aljamain Sterling, Cody Garbrandt, Brandon Moreno, Ode Osbourne, Cesar Almeida and Kai Kamaka III.
“If the UFC called [today], I wouldn’t say no. No way,” Canuto said. “But I’m in no hurry. I think if the opportunity came today, I’d take it. I have no doubt I can fight the best because of who I train with and how much I’ve been exposed behind the scenes, training with tough guys. I think I can go toe-to-toe with the best, but I don’t have that rush I used to. If I want to get better, sharpen everything, and leave no gaps, I’ve got to take it easy, stay calm, and let things happen naturally.”
Used to competing in grappling at around 170 pounds. Canuto won both MMA bouts at a catchweight of 160 pounds. He hasn’t made 155 pounds in a long time, but sees that as his ideal weight class in MMA.
The jiu-jitsu ace admits the level of opposition he’s faced so far in MMA is subpar and said he would prefer to face more experienced athletes next. That said, Canuto only sees the elite of the UFC giving him trouble.
“I think the only place where someone could really stop me now would be in the UFC,” Canuto said. “I think I could already be facing guys outside the top 15. I just don’t want to waste the opportunity. Like I said, I’ve been through ONE, I’ve seen a lot of people go in and out of the UFC. Some go in really young as big prospects, lose a close decision or have a few tough fights that don’t go their way, and then it’s hard to get another chance. I don’t want to go in, get cut, and have to fight my way back. I’m 29 now so I want to get in, build a career, and chase the belt, just like everyone else.”
