José Souza

Overview

José "Canela" Souza is 2-0 in the UFC, and the two wins couldn't look more different: a split decision, then a first-round stoppage. The Manaus native fights at welterweight out of Nova União, and his professional record across all promotions is 9-1-0.

The one loss isn't a UFC loss. It came on Dana White's Contender Series, which sits outside the UFC record.

Two fights in, he's unbeaten where it counts.

UFC Career

Souza debuted in 2026 against Ding Meng at UFC Fight Night: Song vs Figueiredo. The fight went the distance and he took a split decision, with the final bell at 5:00 of round 3. His next outing was UFC Fight Night: Cortes Acosta vs Walker, where he stopped Jonny Parsons by KO/TKO at 4:16 of round 1.

That makes one finish in two UFC fights, and it came early. His longest win streak is two, and he carries it into his next fight.

Before the UFC, Souza lost to Yusaku Kinoshita by KO/TKO at 0:43 of round 3 on Dana White's Contender Series 6.6 in 2022.

Fighting Style

Souza is a striker, and the numbers say so: he lands more per minute than the average UFC fighter, but he also absorbs more. That's a fighter who trades. His accuracy and defense sit around the UFC average.

The grappling side barely registers. He rarely shoots for takedowns, rarely hunts submissions, and gets taken down more than most. It's a two-fight sample, so treat it with caution.

Notable Wins

• Jonny Parsons — KO/TKO, round 1 (4:16), UFC Fight Night: Cortes Acosta vs Walker (2026)
• Ding Meng — split decision, round 3, UFC Fight Night: Song vs Figueiredo (2026)

Quick Facts

• Division: Welterweight
• UFC record: 2-0
• Professional record (all promotions): 9-1-0
• UFC debut: 2026
• Height: 6'3"
• Team: Nova União
• Born: Manaus, Brazil