Leandro Higo

Leandro Higo (born January 19, 1989) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2006, he has also competed for Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Legacy Fighting Alliance.

Early career
Higo made his Resurrection Fighting Alliance debut on August 21, 2015 vs. Terrion Ware at RFA 29, winning by rear-naked choke at the end of round 3. Following a first round victory over Melvin Blumer at RFA 32, he won the RFA Bantamweight title with a first round rear-naked choke victory against Joey Miolla at RFA 37.

Higo made his debut with Legacy Fighting Alliance in the company's debut at LFA 1: Peterson vs. Higo, defeating Steven Peterson via unanimous decision to win the inaugural LFA Bantamweight Championship.

The Ultimate Fighter Brazil
Higo competed in the Bantamweight division on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4. He defeated Maycon Silvan in the elimination round via first round arm-triangle choke, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Bruno Rodrigues Mesquita via first round rear-naked choke. After Giovanni Santos was forced to leave the season due to an infection, Higo reluctantly accepted to replace Santos to face Matheus Mattos in another quarterfinal bout. However, his rib injury sustained in the previous week's bout with Mesquita worsened and he was forced to withdraw.

Bellator MMA
Higo made his Bellator debut as a late replacement for Darrion Caldwell against Bantamweight titlist Eduardo Dantas in a non-title bout at Bellator 177, losing via split decision.

Higo faced Joe Taimanglo on October 6, 2017 at Bellator 184, winning via unanimous decision.

Higo earned an opportunity to compete for the Bellator Bantamweight Championship vs. Darrion Caldwell on March 2, 2018 at Bellator 195, losing via first round guillotine choke.

For his next bout, Higo moved up to Featherweight and faced Aaron Pico at Bellator 206 on September 29, 2018. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

After the failed attempt in featherweight division, Higo returned to the bantamweight division to face Shawn Bunch at Bellator 228 on September 28, 2019. He won the fight via submission in the second round. Subsequently he signed a new exclusive, multi-fight contract with Bellator.

Higo was expected to face Johnny Campbell in a bantamweight bout at Bellator 241 on March 13, 2020. However, Campbell withdrew from the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Dominic Mazzotta, the bout continuing as a featherweight bout.

Higo then faced Ricky Bandejas at Bellator 249 on October 15, 2020. Higo missed the contracted weight, but went on to win the bout via second-round submission.

Higo faced Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 259 on May 21, 2021. At the weigh-ins, Higo weighed in at 137.5 pounds, one and a half pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Higo was fined a percentage of his purse, which went to Caldwell. Higo won the bout via split decision.

Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix
Higo faced Danny Sabatello in the quarter-finals of the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix at Bellator 282 on June 24, 2022. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Higo was scheduled to face James Gallagher on March 10, 2023 at Bellator 292. However, in Mid February, Gallagher pulled out of the bout due to unknown reasons.

Higo was scheduled to face Nikita Mikhailov on June 16, 2023 at Bellator 297. However, the bout was scrapped when Mikhailov came down with a sickness. The bout was rescheduled for August 11, 2023 at Bellator 298. Higo won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round.

On short notice, Higo faced James Gallagher on March 22, 2024 at Bellator Champions Series 1. Higo came out victorious via unanimous decision after a strong third round.

Personal life
Higo has a son.