Jean Matsumoto was born on September 9, 1999, in São Paulo, Brazil. He began training in Muay Thai at six years old—after trying soccer and capoeira, martial arts quickly ignited a passion that would shape his path. His father, who had practiced Muay Thai himself, introduced him to the discipline. When Matsumoto turned ten, he began watching UFC broadcasts and expressed a desire to compete at the highest level. Encouraged by his parents, he added Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to his training regimen, building a comprehensive foundation that combined striking and grappling. Around age 15 or 16, he pursued physical education in college as a backup plan while also teaching martial arts at his coach’s academy.
Matsumoto turned professional in early 2018 and launched an impressive undefeated run across Brazilian regional promotions. His résumé includes early finishes and unanimous decision victories in Batalha MMA and Pro Fight MMA, culminating in championship performances in the Standout Fighting Tournament (SFT). At SFT 18 in late 2019, he claimed the flyweight title, and in August 2021, he made history by becoming the first fighter to win two SFT titles across different divisions.
In 2023, Matsumoto earned his shot in the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series, where he secured his contract with a strong unanimous decision victory. He made his UFC debut in April 2024 with a submission win, and in October of that year, added a unanimous decision over a respected veteran. Although he suffered his first professional loss in February 2025 via split decision, his record remains a testament to his early dominance and technical versatility.