Lucas Daniel Barbosa was born on 13 February 1992, inBoa Vista,Roraima, Brazil.[4] He took up martial arts at the age of 10, starting withTaekwondo thenJudo andMuay Thai.[1] At 15 Barbosa beganBrazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) under various coaches from Diego Lopes to Cristiano Carioca andAndré Galvão.[5] After being promoted topurple belt, Barbosa moved toRio to train at Márcio Rodrigues's academy, receiving the nickname "Hulk" from his training partners.[5]
Barbosa was awarded his Brown Belt in BJJ by Fabiano and Márcio Rodrigues.[1][4] It was at Brown Belt that Barbosa's grappling career took off.[1][4] In 2014, he was involved with "THE TEAM" in 2014, a web series developed by Copa Podio, a sports league that showed BJJ competitions on television.[1][4] Barbosa's strong performance earned him a spot later that year at the competition's main which was onPay-per-view.[1][4]
Shortly afterwards, Barbosa moved toSan Diego, California, to joinAtos Jiu-Jitsu underAndré Galvão.[1][4][6] Since moving to Atos Jiu-Jitsu, Barbosa has won most major BJJ tournaments at Black Belt level including the World Championship and the World No-GI Championship.[1][4][6][7][8] He also is a multiple-time medalist at the ADCC World Championship.[1][4][6][7][8]
Barbosa was invited to compete in the Third Coast Grappling grand prix 6 on 12 September 2020.[9] He withdrew from the event due to undisclosed reasons.[10] He was matched at the promotion's next event instead, in a superfight against Guilherme Augusto. Barbosa won a unanimous decision against Augusto at the event on 26 September 2020.[11]
Barbosa represented ATOS in a team-grappling event at Subversiv 4 on 31 October 2020.[12] He led his team to victory in the tournament, defeating all four of his opponents on the night.[13]
Barbosa was invited to compete in a heavyweight grand prix at BJJ Stars 5 on 6 February 2021.[14] He defeatedYuri Simões on points in the first round but lost a decision to Gutemberg Pereira in the semi-final.[15] Barbosa then led ATOS once again at Subversiv 5 on 1 May 2021.[16] Barbosa once again won all of his matches and ATOS won the tournament for the second time.[17]
Barbosa competed in the main event of Fight 2 Win 174 against Aaron 'Tex' Johnson on 18 June 2021, and lost a decision.[18] On 26 June 2021, he defeatMatheus Diniz on points at BJJ Stars 6.[19] He was then invited to compete in the first Road to ADCC event on 17 July 2021, against William Tackett.[20] Barbosa managed to score thirty-four points against Tackett during their match and won by a wide margin.[21]
Barbosa then competed in a no gi grand prix at BJJ Bet 2 on 1 August 2021, and defeated all three of his opponents to win the tournament.[22] He was then invited to compete in the main event of BJJ Stars 7 againstUFC veteranGilbert Burns on 6 November 2021, and he submitted Burns with a rear-naked choke.[23] Barbosa competed in the inaugural Raw Grappling Championship event on 12 November 2021, in a superfight against Gerard Labinski, submitting him with an armbar.[24]
Barbosa competed in a middleweight grand prix at BJJ Stars 8 on 15 February 2022, and defeated his first two opponents before losing toMicael Galvão in the final.[25] He was then invited to compete in the 2022 ADCC World Championship as a result of winning a medal at the event in 2019.[26] He defeated Santeri Lilius,Josh Hinger, andVagner Rocha before losing toGiancarlo Bodoni in the final and earning a silver medal.[27]
Barbosa competed in the IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Con International on 1 September 2023 and won gold medals in both the heavyweight and absolute gi divisions.[28] He returned to compete in the no gi edition of the event later that day, winning a silver medal at heavyweight and a bronze medal in the absolute division.[29]
Barbosa was scheduled to challengeGordon Ryan for the WNO heavyweight title at Who's Number One 21: Ryan v Barbosa on 30 November 2023.[30] Ryan later withdrew from the match due to a rib injury,[31] and was replaced by his teammateGiancarlo Bodoni.[32] Barbosa lost the match by judge's decision.[33]
Barbosa competed againstAJ Agazarm at Pit Submission Series 5 on May 30, 2024.[34] He won the match by decision.[35]
Barbosa was due to compete at EBI 21: The Absolutes on June 2, 2024.[36] He later withdrew from the event and was replaced by Brandon George.[37]
Barbosa was due to compete againstIsaque Bahiense at BJJ Stars 13: Vikings Edition on August 3, 2024.[38] But he withdrew from the match and was replaced by Alexandre de Jesus.
Barbosa competed in the -80 kg division at the inauguralCraig Jones Invitational on August 16–17, 2024[39][40] He beat Kenta Iwamoto by decision in the opening round and submitted Jozef Chen in the quarter-final before losing a decision toLevi Jones-Leary in the semi-final.[41]
Barbosa made his debut in 2011 where he lost a split decision against Geydson Cardoso.[6]
In 2012, Barbosa faced Tiago Sena twice, winning by Submission and then TKO.[6]
In 2020, Barbosa stated in an interview that he planned to return to MMA due to financial incentives as well as seeking more challenges.[7] He reiterated this in 2021, announcing his intention to return by the end of the year.[44]
In February 2022, it was announced that Barbosa was scheduled to fight Troy Green at thePFL Challenger Series 2.[6] However Green withdrew from the fight and no replacement was found.[45]
In August 2022, it was announced that Barbosa was scheduled to fight Elmar Umarov atPFL 7.[8] However Umarov withdrew due to illness.[46]
Barbosa faced Itso Babulaidze atPFL Challenger Series 9 on 27 January 2023.[46] After a strong start, Barbosa faded as the bout went and he lost the bout via unanimous decision.[47][48]
