Dione Barbosa wins UFC debut in Rio

Fans of Cris Cyborg have known about the talented Dione Barbosa for some time as Cris Cyborg has used her as a dedicated training partner for camps dating back to her Leslie Smith training camp in 2021. Barbosa a national level Judo player and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt originally from Brazil now living in Huntington Beach CA improved to 7-2 as a professional in MMA withe the performance.

Earning a 3 round decision against Ernesta Kareckaite at UFC 301 in Brazil Barbosa has won 4 in a row including her DWCS win over Rainn Guerrero back in September of 2023. Barbosa who is a member of King’s MMA built a reputation as one of the best from Brazil when she defeated Karine Silva in 2019 before her transition to the USA.

Cyborg had this to say about Barbosa’s performance, “I am happy for her. She will only continue to improve the more she gets experience on the bigger shows. Step by step she has the ability to make herself a contender and eventually a champion in the UFC.”