Leonardo Santos (fighter)

Leonardo Santos (born February 5, 1980) is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist and 4th degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt.

A highly decorated competitor, Santos is a four-time CBJJO World Cup champion, two-time World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship and ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship medallist.

In 2006 Santos left BJJ for MMA, fighting in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2002, he has formerly competed for World Victory Road, BAMMA, and was the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2 welterweight tournament.

Early career, Shooto and Sengoku
Santos make his MMA debut against rising undefeated Japanese superstar Takanori Gomi, who at the time was the Shooto World Welterweight (154 lb) Champion. The fight ended with a Majority Decision win for Gomi.

After this bout Santos returned to BJJ full-time, winning the CBJJO World Cup Championship 4 times between 2002 and 2005. In 2006 after a short time helping his brother Wagnney with his academy in Canada, Leonardo started dedicating himself fully to MMA. He compiled an 8–3 record with major promotions like Shooto and World Victory Road.

BAMMA
He made his BAMMA debut at BAMMA 6, defeating Jason Ball via unanimous decision.

Santos was scheduled to face Rob Sinclair at BAMMA 7, however he pulled out of the fight, refusing to fly over from Paris as he knew he would not make weight and knew he would not be able make the full amount of money from competing anyway.

The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil
In March 2013, it was revealed that Santos was a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2. He won his elimination fight to get into the TUF house, defeating Luciano Contini by TKO in round 1. He was chosen to be a member of Team Nogueira. Over the course of the show, Santos defeated Juliano Wandalen and Thiago Santos both by unanimous decision to reach the semifinals. In the semifinals, he lost to Santiago Ponzinibbio by unanimous decision. However, Ponzinibbio broke his hand during this semifinal fight and was replaced by Santos in the finals against William Macário. This semifinal-round fight with Ponzinibbio, however, was picked as the Fight of the Season, and both welterweights picked up a $25,000 bonus.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Santos fought Macário in the finals on June 8, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 10. After a strong first round by Macário, Santos rallied and won via submission in the second round to become the tournament winner.

For his second fight with the promotion, Santos faced TUF: Smashes lightweight winner Norman Parke at UFC Fight Night 38. The fight ended in a majority draw.

Santos faced returning veteran Efrain Escudero on September 13, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 51. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Santos was expected to face Matt Wiman on March 21, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 62. However, Wiman was forced out of the bout on February 11 with a back injury and was replaced by Anthony Rocco Martin. He won the fight by submission in the second round.

Santos faced Kevin Lee on December 12, 2015, at UFC 194. Despite being a significant underdog, Santos won the fight via TKO in the first round and earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

Santos was expected to face Evan Dunham on June 4, 2016, at UFC 199. However, Santos pulled out on April 29 due to an undisclosed injury and was replaced by James Vick.

Santos next faced Adriano Martins on October 8, 2016, at UFC 204. He won the fight via split decision.

Santos was expected to face Olivier Aubin-Mercier on June 3, 2017, at UFC 212. However the bout was scrapped on May 18 as both fighters were removed from the card.

Santos was expected to face Nik Lentz on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131. However, it was reported on April 28, 2018, that Santos was pulled from the event due to a hand injury.

Santos faced Stevie Ray on June 1, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 153. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. The win also earned Santos his second Performance of the Night bonus award.

Santos was set to face Jared Gordon on November 16, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 22. However, he withdrew from the fight and was replaced by Charles Oliveira.

Santos faced Roman Bogatov on July 11, 2020, at UFC 251. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Santos faced Grant Dawson on March 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 21. He lost the fight via knockout in round three.

Santos was scheduled to face Alexander Hernandez on October 2, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 193. However, Santos was forced to withdraw from the event, citing a calf injury.

Santos faced Clay Guida on December 4, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 31. He lost the fight via rear-naked choke in round two.

Santos faced Jared Gordon on August 20, 2022, at UFC 278. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

After the loss, Santos retired from MMA on September 8, 2022.

Personal life
Santos has a son.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

 * World Championships IBJJF
 * 4x CBJJO World Cup Champion (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)
 * Silver World Medalist (2001 Black Belt Division)
 * Bronze World Medalist (2000 Black Belt Division)
 * ADCC Bronze Medalist (2001)
 * ADCC Brazilian Trial Champion (2005)
 * 4th Place in the ADCC Finals (2005)

Mixed martial arts

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2 Welterweight Tournament Winner
 * Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Kevin Lee and Stevie Ray