Antônio Carlos Coelho de Figueiredo Barbosa Júnior (born 16 March 1990),ônioCarlosJú also known as Antônio Carlos Jr. and professionally by his ring name Cara de Sapato (as well as its English translation Shoeface), is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Light Heavyweight division and is currently signed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he became champion in 2021. Carlos Júnior is most known for his time spent fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he competed in the Light Heavyweight division in addition to Middleweight. A multiple time champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Carlos Júnior was World Cup Champion in 2006 (at blue junior) and 2x World Champion in 2010 (weight and absolute at brown belt). He is the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 Heavyweight tournament and the 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion. In 2023, he was cast as contestant in the reality show Big Brother Brasil 23.
Mixed martial arts career
The Ultimate Fighter
On 26 February 2014 it was revealed that Carlos Júnior was selected to be a participant on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3. Cara de Sapato defeated Guilherme Viana via TKO (punches) to move into the Ultimate Fighter house, and become an official cast member.
Carlos Júnior was selected as the first pick (second overall) of coach Wanderlei Silva to be a part of Team Wanderlei. In his second Heavyweight fight of the season, Cara de Sapato was selected to fight Edgard Castaldelli Filho and won via knockout (punch) with only twelve seconds of fight in the first round. He was then scheduled to face Marcos Rogério de Lima for a spot in the final against Vitor Miranda He defeated Lima by submission (rear-naked choke).
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2014–2021)
Carlos Júnior made his promotional debut on 31 May 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale against Vitor Miranda to determine the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 Heavyweight Tournament. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Carlos Júnior made his light heavyweight debut against Patrick Cummins on 20 December 2014, at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway. He lost the one-sided fight by unanimous decision. After the defeat, he decided to move to the middleweight division for his next fight.
Carlos Júnior faced Eddie Gordon in a middleweight bout on 27 June 2015 at UFC Fight Night 70 He won the fight via submission in the third round.
Carlos Júnior faced Kevin Casey on 10 December 2015 at UFC Fight Night 80. The bout was deemed a No Contest just 11 seconds into the first round when Carlos Júnior accidentally poked Casey in both eyes and Casey was unable to continue.
Carlos Júnior next faced Dan Kelly on 20 March 2016 at UFC Fight Night 85. He lost the bout via TKO in the third round.
Carlos Júnior returned to face Leonardo Augusto Guimarães on 17 September 2016 at UFC Fight Night 94. He won the fight via submission in the third round.
Carlos Júnior faced Marvin Vettori on 30 December 2016 at UFC 207. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Carlos Júnior faced Eric Spicely on 3 June 2017, at UFC 212. He won the fight by submission due to a rear-naked choke in the second round.
Carlos Júnior faced Jack Marshman on 28 October 2017, at UFC Fight Night 119. Carlos won the fight by submission due to a rear-naked choke in round one.
Carlos Júnior faced Tim Boetsch on 14 April 2018, at UFC on Fox 29. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in round one.
Carlos Júnior was expected to face Derek Brunson on 4 August 2018, at UFC 227. However, Brunson pulled out of the fight in early July citing an eye injury. In turn, Carlos Júnior was removed from the card entirely and is expected to be rescheduled for a future event. Subsequently, Carlos Júnior was quickly rescheduled was expected to face Elias Theodorou on 22 September 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137. However, Júnior pulled out on 28 August due to injury. The pairing was expected to be left intact and was rescheduled for 8 December 2018, at UFC 231. On 13 September 2018, it was reported that Carlos Júnior withdrew from his bout with Theodorou yet again, citing a surgery is required on the injury that caused the cancellation of his first scheduled bout with Theodorou.
Carlos Júnior faced Ian Heinisch at UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Lee on 18 May 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Carlos Júnior faced Uriah Hall on 14 September 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 16. He lost the fight via split decision.