Carlos Leal Miranda: The Brazilian Fighter with a Strong Faith

Carlos Leal Miranda is making waves in the UFC's welterweight division. After a standout win against Alex Morono at UFC 313, he's gearing up for his next fight against Muslim Salikhov at UFC on ABC 9 in Abu Dhabi. But who is this rising star, and what drives him? Born on May 4, 1994, in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, Carlos is proud of his Brazilian roots and Latin heritage. Curitiba is famous for producing top-tier fighters, and Carlos aims to carry on that legacy. His journey into mixed martial arts (MMA) began as a form of therapy after his father's passing. He started training in school and quickly fell in love with the sport. Now, fighting is more than just a career for him—it's his life. Carlos's faith plays a significant role in his fighting style and career. A devout Christian, he credits his relationship with Jesus Christ as the source of his purpose and strength. He shared that his encounters with Jesus helped him discover his true identity and purpose through sports. His faith is so integral to him that he includes a Bible verse, Matthew 22:37, in his Instagram bio. Outside the Octagon, Carlos is dedicated to his training and spends quality time with his family, who have supported him throughout his journey. He also enjoys going to church, although he admits he hasn't been in a while. His impressive track record includes being a Brazilian Muay Thai champion, a state champion in boxing and wrestling, and holding a black belt in Muay Thai under Grand Master Fábio Noguchi. He's also a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In his UFC debut at UFC 308, Carlos faced a tough loss against Rinat Fakhretdinov. However, he bounced back with a spectacular finish against Morono at UFC 313. With a 1-1 UFC record and momentum on his side, Carlos is ready to take on his next challenge in the Octagon.