Luís Santos (fighter)

Luís Santos (2 January 1980) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing in the Welterweight division He last fought for ONE Championship. A professional competitor since 2000, Santos has also formerly competed for Bellator, the WEC, and the XFC.

Luís Santos
Born (1980-01-02) January 2, 1980 (age 44)
Belém, Pará, Brazil
Other namesSapo
ResidenceDeerfield Beach, Florida, United States
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
DivisionMiddleweight
Welterweight
Reach72.5 in (184 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofDeerfield Beach, Florida, United States
TeamAmerican Top Team
Sapo Fight Team
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active2000–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total79
Wins65
By knockout38
By submission11
By decision16
Losses12
By knockout6
By submission2
By decision4
Draws1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Santos made his professional MMA debut in a one-night tournament at Tournament of Gladiators 5 in 2000; he won all three of his fights. Santos amassed a record of 18-0 before suffering his first loss in 2005. Although fighting primarily in his native Brazil, Santos did make his U.S. MMA debut on WEC 34 in 2008.

Santos has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Team Nogueira. He currently teaches and trains at American Top Team in Coconut Creek but is originally from Belem, Brazil.[2] Before signing with Bellator, Santos was ranked #5 on the Bloody Elbow world MMA scouting report.[3]

Bellator

In January 2011, it was announced that Santos had signed with Bellator.[2]

Santos debuted for the promotion in the Bellator Season Five Welterweight Tournament. He fought Dan Hornbuckle in the opening round held at Bellator 49 and won the fight via unanimous decision.

Santos lost in the semifinals at Bellator 53 to Ben Saunders via third-round submission.

Santos faced Ryan Ford at Bellator 67. He lost via second-round TKO.

Xtreme Fighting Championships

Santos faced UFC vet Shamar Bailey at XFC 23 on April 19, 2013. He won the fight via TKO at just over a minute into the first round.

Santos next opponent is Dave Courchaine at XFC 24 on June 14. He won via KO in just ten seconds.

Santos faced Justin Davis at XFC 26: Night of Champions III on October 18, 2013. He won the fight via KO at 0:33 in the first round.[4]

Santos faced Alfredo Morales at XFC International 3 on March 29, 2014. He won via front kick knockout in the third round.[5]

ONE Championship

Santos faced Bakhtiyar Abbasov at ONE FC: Battle of the Lions on November 7, 2014.[6] He struck Abbasov in the body with a knee causing him to tap out in the first round.

Santos faced Ben Askren in the main event at ONE Championship: Valor of Champions April 24.[7] The fight was ruled "No Contest" after an eye poke from Askren at 2:19 of round 1 rendered Santos unable to continue.[8]

Personal life

Santos is married to fellow MMA fighter Carina Damm.[9]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
79 matches65 wins12 losses
By knockout386
By submission112
By decision164
Draws1
No contests1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss65–12–1 (1)James NakashimaTKO (knee injury)ONE: Roots of HonorApril 12, 201920:56Pasay, Philippines
Win65–11–1 (1)Daichi AbeTKO (body kick)ONE: Pursuit of GreatnessOctober 26, 201810:33Yangon, Myanmar
Loss64–11–1 (1)Tyler McGuireDecision (unanimous)ONE: Pursuit of PowerJuly 13, 201835:00Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Win64–10–1 (1)Kiamrian AbbasovDecision (unanimous)ONE: Visions of VictoryMarch 9, 201835:00Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Loss63–10–1 (1)Zebaztian KadestamKO (knees)ONE: Dynasty of HeroesMay 26, 201732:18Kallang, SingaporeReturn to Middleweight.
Win63–9–1 (1)Igor SviridDecision (unanimous)ONE: Titles and TitansAugust 27, 201635:00Jakarta, IndonesiaLight Heavyweight debut.
Win62–9–1 (1)Rafael SilvaTKO (knee and soccer kicks)ONE: Tribe of WarriorsFebruary 20, 201611:17Jakarta, IndonesiaMiddleweight debut.
NC61–9–1 (1)Ben AskrenNC (accidental eye poke)ONE: Valor of ChampionsApril 24, 201512:19Pasay, PhilippinesFor the ONE Welterweight Championship.
Win61–9–1Bakhtiyar AbbasovTKO (submission to punches)ONE FC: Battle of the LionsNovember 7, 201410:53Kallang, Singapore
Win60–9–1Alfredo MoralesKO (front kick)XFC International 3March 29, 201431:34Osasco, São Paulo, Brazil
Win59–9–1Edilson Moreira AlvesSubmission (kneebar)Inka Fighting Championship 24October 23, 201313:00Lima, Peru
Win58–9–1Justin DavisKO (head kick and punches)XFC 26: Night of Champions IIIOctober 18, 201310:33Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Win57–9–1Dave CourchaineKO (head kick and punches)XFC 24: Collision CourseJune 14, 201310:10Tampa, Florida, United States
Win56–9–1Sebastian LatorreTKO (knee and punches)Smash FightMay 3, 201311:22Curitiba, Brazil
Win55–9–1Shamar BaileyTKO (punches)XFC 23: Louisville SlugfestApril 19, 201311:02Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Loss54–9–1Ryan FordTKO (knee and punches)Bellator 67May 4, 201221:24Rama, Ontario, Canada
Loss54–8–1Ben SaundersSubmission (keylock)Bellator 53October 8, 201131:45Miami, Oklahoma, United StatesBellator Season Five Welterweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win54–7–1Dan HornbuckleDecision (unanimous)Bellator 49September 10, 201135:00Atlantic City, New Jersey, United StatesBellator Season Five Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Draw53–7–1Carlos Alexandre PereiraDrawAmazon Fight 8May 27, 201135:00Belém, Brazil
Win53–7Nicolae CuryDecision (unanimous)Bellator 45May 21, 201135:00Lake Charles, Louisiana, US
Win52–7Dave Lehr CochranTKO (punches)Rumble Time Promotions: ExplosionApril 15, 201110:46St. Charles, Missouri, United States
Win51–7William DiasDecision (unanimous)Master Super FightDecember 10, 201035:00Belém, Brazil
Win50–7Ivan JorgeKO (knee)Amazon Fight 5October 8, 201010:52Belém, Brazil
Win49–7Pedro IrieSubmission (arm-triangle choke)Amazon Fight 4August 13, 201023:59Belém, Brazil
Win48–7Yuri FragaKO (punch)Amazon Fight 3March 13, 20101N/ABelém, Brazil
Win47–7Johnny VigoTKO (punches)Amazon Fight 2March 4, 20102N/ABelém, Brazil
Win46–7Elias MonteiroTKO (punches)Naja Super Fight 2July 7, 200935:00Salinopolis, Brazil
Loss45–7Adriano MartinsDecision (split)Hero's The Jungle 3May 9, 200935:00Tokyo, Japan
Win45–6Shelton ArnaldoTKO (punches)Nocaute Super FightApril 19, 200911:20Belém, Brazil
Win44–6Norberto dos Santos NeresDecision (unanimous)Super Vale Tudo 4March 13, 200935:00Belém, Brazil
Win43–6Wellington PenelvaKO (punches)Dragon Fight ChampionshipNovember 28, 200813:00Castanhal, Brazil
Win42–6Predador do MaranhaoKO (punches)Super Fight BelemNovember 8, 200811:10Belém, Brazil
Loss41–6Daniel TrindadeDecision (split)Roraima Show Fight 4September 14, 200835:00Boa Vista, Brazil
Win41–5Pedro Paulo de JesusDecision (unanimous)The King of Jungle 1August 28, 200835:00Belém, Brazil
Loss40–5Alex SerdyukovTKO (corner stoppage)WEC 34June 1, 200815:00Sacramento, California, United States
Loss40–4Carlos Alexandre FereiraDecision (unanimous)Midway FightDecember 20, 200735:00Belém, Brazil
Win40–3Silmar NunesKO (punches)Badboy: Super Fight NocauteJune 14, 20071N/AAnanindeua, Brazil
Win39–3Jorge PatinoDecision (unanimous)Midway FightMay 10, 200735:00Belém, Brazil
Win38–3Rodrigo FerreiraKO (punches)Badboy: Super Fight NocauteApril 12, 20071N/AAnanindeua, Brazil
Win37–3Daniel AcacioDecision (unanimous)SDDS: Super Desafio do Sal Vale TudoApril 1, 200735:00Salinópolis, Brazil
Win36–3Menix BelchoirKO (punch)MF: Midway FightDecember 14, 200614:02Belém, Brazil
Win35–3Shelton ArnaldoTKO (elbows)DDT: Duelo de TitasNovember 15, 200623:20Teresina, Brazil
Win34–3Josenildo Rodrigues de OliveiraDecision (unanimous)MF: Midway FightOctober 5, 200635:00Belém, Brazil
Loss33–3Yoshiyuki YoshidaTKO (corner stoppage)Kokoro: Kill Or Be KilledAugust 15, 200615:00Tokyo, Japan
Win33–2Andre Ricardo dos Santos GoncalvesDecision (unanimous)UCVT: Ultimate Combat Vale TudoJune 29, 200635:00Belém, Brazil
Win32–2Messias Pai de SantoKO (punches)SVT: Super Vale Tudo 4June 13, 20062N/ABelém, Brazil
Win31–2Celio SantosTKO (doctor stoppage)CDL: Clube da Luta 5May 28, 200610:48Salvador, Brazil
Win30–2David CubasDecision (unanimous)GC 2: El ChoqueMay 12, 200635:00Lima, Peru
Win29–2Alexandre Nunes BrandaoDecision (unanimous)SC: Super CombatApril 21, 200635:00Capanema, Brazil
Win28–2Gabriel CastroKO (knee)RK: Roraima KombatApril 8, 200611:30Boa Vista, Brazil
Win27–2Claudio do BoxeSubmission (rear-naked choke)SDDS: Super Desafio do Sal Vale TudoDecember 27, 200524:32Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win26–2Aloisio Freitas NetoDecision (unanimous)RC 2: Roraima Combat 2December 12, 200535:00Boa Vista, Brazil
Win25–2Ildemar AlcântaraDecision (unanimous)MCVT: Mega Combat Vale TudoOctober 5, 200535:00Belém, Brazil
Win24–2Gerson CordeiroSubmission (rear-naked choke)UCVT: Ultimate Combat Vale TudoSeptember 10, 20053N/ABelém, Brazil
Win23–2Edvan SouzaTKO (punches)WC: World Combat 4August 5, 200512:15São Luís, Brazil
Win22–2Joel LeaoKO (punches)SRVT: Super Radikal Vale TudoJuly 21, 20051N/ABelém, Brazil
Loss21–2Ildemar AlcântaraSubmission (triangle choke)IMVT: Iron Man Vale Tudo 7June 11, 200524:51Macapá, Brazil
Win21–1Ali NegroSubmission (armbar)WC: World Combat 3May 13, 200523:40São Luís, Brazil
Win20–1Gabriel CastroKO (punches)RC 1: Roraima Combat 1April 5, 20051N/ABoa Vista, Brazil
Win19–1Junior EladioKO (punches)WC: World Combat 2March 4, 20051N/ASão Luís, Brazil
Win18–1Ali NegroKO (punches)UCVT: Ultimate Combat Vale TudoNovember 9, 200422:56Belém, Brazil
Win17–1Marcio BombaKO (punch)SDDS: Super Desafio do Sal Vale TudoNovember 8, 200423:50Salinópolis, Brazil
Win16–1Savio MaiaKO (punch)Desafio: Interestadual EstrelaOctober 8, 200423:00Belém, Brazil
Win15–1Joao BoscoTechnical Submission (triangle choke)Desafio: Physical Vale TudoJune 12, 20042N/ABelém, Brazil
Win14–1Rosinaldo CostaKO (punches)Desafio: Physical Vale TudoApril 11, 20042N/ABelém, Brazil
Win13–1Magno Silva de SousaSubmission (armbar)Desafio: Physical Vale TudoApril 11, 20042N/ABelém, Brazil
Loss12–1Simao Melo da SilvaTKO (submission to punches)IMVT: Iron Man Vale Tudo 2January 10, 20042N/AMacapa, Amapa, Brazil
Win12–0Damian DamianKO (punches)UCVT: Ultimate Combat Vale TudoSeptember 16, 20032N/ABelém, Brazil
Win11–0Luiz FalcãoDecision (unanimous)Super Combate: MMA FightSeptember 13, 200335:00Belém, Brazil
Win10–0Fabiano RabugentoTKO (body punch)SDDS: Super Desafio do Sal Vale TudoJuly 19, 200313:50Salinópolis, Brazil
Win9–0Alex KarateTKO (punches)NNEVTC: North-Northeast Vale Tudo ChampionshipMay 10, 200313:40São Luís, Brazil
Win8–0Fabio FabioSubmission (rear-naked choke)FCVT: Fort Combat Vale TudoApril 5, 20031N/AMacapa, Amapa, Brazil
Win7–0Wellington Geraldo de OliveiraKO (punches)SVT: Super Vale Tudo 3February 14, 20031N/ABelém, Brazil
Win6–0Claudio do BoxeSubmission (rear-naked choke)Badboy: Acai FightMarch 16, 200213:50Macapa, Amapa, Brazil
Win5–0Claudio Indio GuerreiroSubmission (armbar)IPF: I Piaui FightJune 10, 200113:50Brazil
Win4–0Ronaldo Marcio AzevedoTKO (punches)Badboy: Rider de Vale TudoNovember 1, 200014:30Belém, Brazil
Win3–0Rerison AraujoSubmission (rear-naked choke)TOF: Tournament of Gladiators 5March 10, 200014:30Nova Friburgo, Brazil
Win2–0MontanhaKO (punches)TOF: Tournament of Gladiators 5March 10, 200014:00Nova Friburgo, Brazil
Win1–0Felix FelixKO (punches)TOF: Tournament of Gladiators 5March 10, 200013:40Nova Friburgo, Brazil

References