Thiago "Bodão" Perpetuo began his amateur career in Muay Thai, but during his childhood was diagnosed with cancer due to a malignant tumor in his shoulder that threatened his life. Bodão is considered an example of determination for overcoming health difficulties that nearly prevented him from continuing his fight career.

Bodao's professional career began at the event Tan Lan Fight 9, where he won his opening bout by knockout. The fight was then won by submission Mata-Leão. He fought twice more, gaining a victory by knockout via punches and then had his first defeat via submission.

Bodão was one of 32 chosen for UFC's television program The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. He went to the semi-final stages middleweight TUF Brazil, after beating Francisco "Massaranduba" Drinaldo. In the semi-final he was knocked out by Bodão Cézar Mutant after being kicked in the head. Bodão and Massaranduba each received a prize of 45 thousand dollars for his fight in the quarter-finals, considered the best fight of the season program.

Bodão's official UFC debut was against Leonardo Mafra at UFC 147. Bodão won by TKO in the third round. He next took on Omari Akhmedov at UFC Fight Night 32. Although their fight would win "Fight of the Night" honors, he would be finished by TKO in the first round. He is next set to take on Kenny Robertson at UFC Fight Night 38.