Mafra was born and spent his early childhood in the Brazilian city of Santo André and began training in mixed martial arts as a teenager.
[4] In February 2012, it was announced that Mafra would a cast member on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, representing Team Wanderlei at middleweight.
[6] In his quarterfinal fight, Mafra was submitted (guillotine choke) in the second round by the eventual winner, Cezar Ferreira, and was subsequently eliminated from the competition.
[10] Mafra was tabbed as a short notice replacement as he faced Rick Story on 16 July 2014 at UFC Fight Night 45, filling in for an injured John Howard.
[19] Mafra was scheduled to face Mohammad Fakhreddine at Brave 6: Kazakhstan on 28 April 2017 but failed to make weight and the bout was cancelled.
[20] Mafra then returned to his native Brazilian circuit and was scheduled to face Luiz Cado at Imortal FC 7 on 11 November 2017.
[24] He was then scheduled to face Carl Booth at Brave CF 35 on 28 March 2020 but the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the bout was scrapped.