| Thiago Santos | |
|---|---|
| Born | Thiago de Lima Santos[1] (1984-01-07)January 7, 1984 (age 41) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Nickname | Marreta |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) |
| Division | Heavyweight (2024) Light heavyweight (2018–present) Middleweight (2013–2018) Welterweight (2010–2012) |
| Reach | 76 in (193 cm)[2] |
| Fighting out of | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Team | American Top Team TATA Fight Team |
| Rank | Green rope inCapoeira[4] Black belt inMuay Thai[4] Black belt inBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu[5] |
| Years active | 2010–present (MMA) |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 36 |
| Wins | 22 |
| By knockout | 15 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Losses | 13 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 5 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Thiago de Lima Santos (born January 7, 1984) is a Brazilian professionalmixed martial artist. He currently competes in theLight Heavyweight division. Santos competed in theProfessional Fighters League (PFL) and in theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in the Light Heavyweight andMiddleweight divisions, and he challenged for theUFC Light Heavyweight Championship once in July 2019 A professional competitor since 2010, he gained entrance into the UFC by competing onThe Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2.
Santos was born into a poverty-stricken family in Rio de Janeiro.[6] In early childhood, he suffered from an undiagnosed disease that spawned growing cysts in his stomach, but which were surgically removed.[6] In one of the occasional floods in his city, Santos' family lost their belongings and after a period of homelessness, they settled in the notorious neighborhood ofCidade de Deus.[6] Santos' father died just days after his mixed martial arts debut in 2010.[6]
Before starting MMA, Santos trained incapoeira for eight years and was a Brazilian armyparatrooper.[4]
He made his professional MMA debut in October 2010.[4] Before joining The Ultimate Fighter, he had a record of 8 wins and only 1 loss.
In March 2013, it was announced that Santos was part of the cast ofThe Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2.[7]
In the opening round, Santos defeated Gil Freitas by majority decision to get into the TUF house. He was the last pick when it came to the coaches' pick, ending up on Team Werdum. In the elimination round, Santos first faced Pedro Iriê and won by unanimous decision. In the quarterfinals, he faced eventual season winnerLeonardo Santos and lost via unanimous decision.
Despite not winning the show, Santos was signed to a contract by the UFC. He made his debut on August 3, 2013, atUFC 163 againstThe Ultimate Fighter: Brazil winnerCezar Ferreira.[8] He lost the fight via submission in the first round.
For his second fight with the promotion, Santos facedRonny Markes on March 23, 2014, atUFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Henderson 2. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.
Santos facedUriah Hall atUFC 175.[9] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Santos next facedAndy Enz on January 30, 2015, atUFC 183.[10] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.
Santos faced promotional newcomerSteve Bossé on June 27, 2015, atUFC Fight Night 70.[11] He won the fight by knockout in the first round and earned aPerformance of the Night bonus.[12][13]
Santos facedElias Theodorou on December 10, 2015, atUFC Fight Night 80.[14] He won the fight by unanimous decision (29–28, 29–27, and 29–27).[15]
Santos facedNate Marquardt on May 14, 2016, atUFC 198.[16] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[17]
Santos foughtGegard Mousasi on July 9, 2016, atUFC 200, filling in for an injuredDerek Brunson.[18] He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.[19]
Santos foughtEric Spicely on September 24, 2016, atUFC Fight Night 95.[20] In a large upset, he lost the fight by submission in the first round.[21]
Santos facedJack Marshman on February 19, 2017, atUFC Fight Night 105.[22] He won the fight via TKO in the second round due to a combination of a spinning heel kick and punches and picked up aPerformance of the Night bonus award.[23]
Santos facedGerald Meerschaert on July 8, 2017, atUFC 213.[24] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.[25]
Santos was briefly linked to a bout with promotional newcomerMichał Materla on October 21, 2017, atUFC Fight Night 118.[26] However, it was revealed on 1 September that Materla had reneged on his agreement with the UFC and was re-signing with the Polish regional promotionKSW.[27] In turn, Santos was removed from the card and facedJack Hermansson a week later atUFC Fight Night 119.[28] He won the fight via technical knock out in round one.[29]
Santos facedAnthony Smith on February 3, 2018, atUFC Fight Night 125.[30] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[31] This win earned him theFight of the Night bonus.[32]
Santos facedDavid Branch on April 21, 2018, atUFC Fight Night 128.[33] He lost the fight via knockout in round one.[34]
Santos faced promotional newcomerKevin Holland on August 4, 2018, atUFC 227.[35] He won the fight by unanimous decision (29–27, 29–27, and 29–26).[36]
Santos was scheduled to faceJimi Manuwa in a light heavyweight bout on September 22, 2018, atUFC Fight Night 137, replacing injuredGlover Teixeira.[37] Manuwa would also pull out of the bout on September 16, 2018 due to a torn hamstring and he was replaced byEryk Anders.[38] Santos defeated Anders via referee stoppage TKO when Anders failed to make it to his corner at the conclusion of round three.[39] This win earned him theFight of the Night award.[40]
Santos facedJimi Manuwa on December 8, 2018, atUFC 231.[41] He won by KO on early 2nd round.[42] This win earned him thePerformance of the Night award and tied for most bout in a calendar year with 5.[43]
Santos facedJan Błachowicz on February 23, 2019, atUFC Fight Night 145.[44] He won the fight by TKO in the third round.[45] This win earned him thePerformance of the Night award.[46]
After going undefeated at 3–0 in Light Heavyweight bouts, Santos challengedJon Jones for theUFC Light Heavyweight Championship in the main event atUFC 239 on July 6, 2019.[47] He lost the back-and-forth fight via split decision.[48] Despite the loss, Santos was the first fighter in MMA history to win a judge's scorecard against Jones.[49] During the fight he sustained a torn leftACL,PCL,MCL,meniscus, and crackedtibia along with a partially torn rightmeniscus.[50][51]
Santos was scheduled toGlover Teixeira on September 12, 2020 atUFC Fight Night 177.[52] However, due to Teixeira tested positive forCOVID-19 a week prior to the bout, the pair was rescheduled to fight on October 4, 2020 atUFC on ESPN: Holm vs. Aldana.[53] In turn, on September 15, the bout was postponed again as Santos himself tested positive for the virus.[54] The pairing with Teixeira eventually took place on November 7, 2020 atUFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira.[55] Despite nearly finishing Teixeira on a couple occasions. Santos lost the fight via submission in round three.[56]
Santos facedAleksandar Rakić on March 6, 2021 atUFC 259.[57] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[58]
Santos facedJohnny Walker on October 2, 2021 atUFC Fight Night 193.[59] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[60]
Santos facedMagomed Ankalaev on March 12, 2022 atUFC Fight Night 203.[61] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[62]
Santos facedJamahal Hill on August 6, 2022 atUFC on ESPN 40.[63] He lost the fight via technical knockout.[64] This fight earned him theFight of the Night award.[65]
After fighting out his UFC contract, it was announced on September 8, 2022, that Santos had signed a multi-fight deal with theProfessional Fighters League, and that he would be a participant in their 2023 season as a light heavyweight.[66]
Santos started off the 2023 season againstRob Wilkinson on April 1, 2023 atPFL 1.[67] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[68] The result of the bout was later overturned to a no contest after Wilkinson tested positive for Elevated t/e ratio resulting from the androgynous origin of testosterone.[69]
Santos was scheduled to face Mohammad Fakhreddine on June 8, 2023 atPFL 4.[70] On May 9, 2023, it was announced that Santos had failed a commission drug test and was pulled from the season.[71] Santos was later suspended 6 months and fined for testing positive forClomifene.[69]
Santos facedYoel Romero on February 24, 2024, atPFL vs. Bellator.[72] He lost the bout by unanimous decision.[73]
Santos stepped in on short notice to replace Sergei Bilostenniy againstDenis Goltsov atPFL 4 on June 13, 2024.[74] He lost the bout via TKO in the first round.[75]
On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Santos was signed byGlobal Fight League.[76]
Santos has a son from a previous relationship.[77] He is a soccer player inGrêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense.[citation needed]
Santos runs a non-profit organization that offers free mixed martial arts training for children coming from poor families.[6]
Santos is married to UFC women's bantamweightYana Kunitskaya.[78] The pair got engaged in December 2020 and in August 2021 Kunitskaya announced they were expecting their first child together.[79][80]
| 36 matches | 22 wins | 13 losses |
| By knockout | 15 | 5 |
| By submission | 1 | 3 |
| By decision | 6 | 5 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 22–13 (1) | Denis Goltsov | TKO (punches) | PFL 4 (2024) | June 13, 2024 | 1 | 2:22 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Heavyweight debut. |
| Loss | 22–12 (1) | Yoel Romero | Decision (unanimous) | PFL vs. Bellator | February 24, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | |
| NC | 22–11 (1) | Rob Wilkinson | NC (overturned) | PFL 1 (2023) | April 1, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Originally a Decision (unanimous) win for Wilkinson; overturned after he tested positive for Elevated t/e ratio. |
| Loss | 22–11 | Jamahal Hill | TKO (punches and elbows) | UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Hill | August 6, 2022 | 4 | 2:31 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 22–10 | Magomed Ankalaev | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev | March 12, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 22–9 | Johnny Walker | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Walker | October 2, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 21–9 | Aleksandar Rakić | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 259 | March 6, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 21–8 | Glover Teixeira | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira | November 7, 2020 | 3 | 1:49 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 21–7 | Jon Jones | Decision (split) | UFC 239 | July 6, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | For theUFC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 21–6 | Jan Błachowicz | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos | February 23, 2019 | 3 | 0:39 | Prague, Czech Republic | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 20–6 | Jimi Manuwa | KO (punches) | UFC 231 | December 8, 2018 | 2 | 0:41 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 19–6 | Eryk Anders | TKO (elbows) | UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders | September 22, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | São Paulo, Brazil | Light Heavyweight debut. Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 18–6 | Kevin Holland | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 227 | August 4, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Loss | 17–6 | David Branch | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee | April 21, 2018 | 1 | 2:30 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 17–5 | Anthony Smith | TKO (kick to the body and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders | February 3, 2018 | 2 | 1:03 | Belém, Brazil | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 16–5 | Jack Hermansson | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Machida | October 28, 2017 | 1 | 4:59 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 15–5 | Gerald Meerschaert | TKO (punches) | UFC 213 | July 8, 2017 | 2 | 2:04 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 14–5 | Jack Marshman | TKO (spinning wheel kick and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne | February 19, 2017 | 2 | 2:21 | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 13–5 | Eric Spicely | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Cyborg vs. Länsberg | September 24, 2016 | 1 | 2:58 | Brasília, Brazil | |
| Loss | 13–4 | Gegard Mousasi | KO (punches) | UFC 200 | July 9, 2016 | 1 | 4:32 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 13–3 | Nate Marquardt | KO (punch) | UFC 198 | May 14, 2016 | 1 | 3:39 | Curitiba, Brazil | |
| Win | 12–3 | Elias Theodorou | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. VanZant | December 10, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–3 | Steve Bossé | KO (head kick) | UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Romero | June 27, 2015 | 1 | 0:29 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 10–3 | Andy Enz | TKO (punches) | UFC 183 | January 31, 2015 | 1 | 1:56 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 9–3 | Uriah Hall | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 175 | July 5, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–2 | Ronny Markes | TKO (body kick and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Henderson 2 | March 23, 2014 | 1 | 0:53 | Natal, Brazil | |
| Loss | 8–2 | Cezar Ferreira | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC 163 | August 3, 2013 | 1 | 0:47 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 8–1 | Denis Figueira | TKO (head kick and punches) | Watch Out Combat Show 20 | July 27, 2012 | 1 | 4:15 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Loss | 7–1 | Vicente Luque | TKO (punches) | Spartan MMA 2012 | April 28, 2012 | 1 | 4:50 | São Luís, Brazil | |
| Win | 7–0 | Junior Vidal | TKO (punches) | Watch Out Combat Show 18 | March 3, 2012 | 1 | N/A | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 6–0 | Eneas Souza | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Watch Out Combat Show 17 | December 27, 2011 | 3 | 2:50 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 5–0 | Marcos Viggiani | Decision (unanimous) | Spartan MMA 2011 | November 26, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–0 | Rafael Braga | TKO (punches) | Explosion Fight | August 13, 2011 | 1 | N/A | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 3–0 | Mauricio Chueke | Decision (unanimous) | Watch Out Combat Show 14 | July 23, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–0 | Gabriel Barreiro | TKO (punches) | Senna Fight | April 16, 2011 | 2 | 1:53 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Guilherme Benedito | Decision (unanimous) | Watch Out Combat Show 10 | October 10, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Exhibition record breakdown | ||
| 4 matches | 2 wins | 2 losses |
| By decision | 2 | 2 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 2–2 | Leonardo Santos | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2 | N/A (airdate) | 2 | 5:00 | São Paulo, Brazil | Quarter-finals bout. |
| Win | 2–1 | Pedro Iriê | Decision (unanimous) | N/A (airdate) | 2 | 5:00 | Wild card bout. | ||
| Loss | 1–1 | William Macário | Decision (unanimous) | N/A (airdate) | 2 | 5:00 | Preliminary bout. | ||
| Win | 1–0 | Gil Freitas | Decision (majority) | March 17, 2013 (airdate) | 2 | 5:00 | TUF: Brazil 2 house entry bout. |
| No. | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV Buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | UFC 239 | Jones vs. Santos | July 6, 2019 | T-Mobile Arena | Paradise, Nevada, United States | Not Disclosed[93] |
Updated to 8 March 2025 |
