Since he was a boy growing up on a Brazilian ranch, Barbosa has aspired to be a bull rider. He began taking on bulls prior to his tenth birthday. Turning pro at 18, in ten years Barbosa has become a force in the Southern Hemisphere.

Barbosa has qualified for 13 national finals, in both PBR Brazil and other Brazilian associations. He´s got four Brazilian event titles under his belt, which includes the coveted Brazilian Iron Cowboy. The Iron Cowboy victory helped Barbosa qualify for the PBR Built Ford Tough Series here in the United States. Although, he came onto the PBR Built Ford Tough Series late in the season, Barbosa managed to rake in a 5th and 8th place finish at events and qualify for his first PBR World Finals. Barbosa proved he was capable of competing with the big dogs by riding 4 of his 6 bulls at the 2011 PBR World Finals and walked away with the 2011 PBR Rookie of the Year.