Junior dos Santos

Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is dos Santos and the second or paternal family name is Almeida.

Junior dos Santos

Dos Santos in June 2011

Born| Junior dos Santos
(1984-01-30) 30 January 1984 (age 41)[1]
Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Other names| Cigano
Height| 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight| 250 lb (113 kg; 17 st 12 lb)
Division| Heavyweight (2006, 2008−present)
Light Heavyweight (2007)
Reach| 77.0 in (196 cm)[2]
Fighting out of| Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Team| American Top Team[3]
Trainer| Boxing & MMA: Luiz Dorea
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Yuri Carlton
Rank| Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Yuri Carlton[4]
Years active| 2006–present (mixed martial arts)
2021 (professional wrestling)
Mixed martial arts record
Total| 33
Wins| 23
By knockout| 16
By submission| 1
By decision| 6
Losses| 10
By knockout| 8
By submission| 1
By decision| 1
Other information
Website| juniordossantos.com.br
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Junior dos Santos (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʒũnjoʁ dus ˈsɐ̃tus]; born 30 January 1984) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler who competes in the Heavyweight division. He is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and current Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Champion. As a professional wrestler, dos Santos made appearances for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a member of the American Top Team stable.

## Background

[edit]

Dos Santos and his two siblings were raised by a single mother, Maria, after his alcoholic father, Sebastian, left the family in the mid-1990s.[5] He started to work at the age of ten in order to help his family. He trained in capoeira throughout his teenage years before he began taking martial arts seriously at 21, when he began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Yuri Carlton. After six months of training, Dos Santos won a few jiu-jitsu tournaments in Salvador.[6][7] One year later, Dos Santos was invited to join a boxing practice by a friend, where he met his boxing coach Luiz Carlos Dórea. Dórea also trained mixed martial arts, and roughly a year after he started training in boxing, he had his debut professional fight.[8][9]

## Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

### Early career

[edit]

Dos Santos turned professional in 2006, at the age of 22. He fought in small promotions in Brazil, such as Demo Fight, Extreme Fighting Championship, Minotauro Fights and Mo Team League. He won six of his first seven bouts, suffering his only loss to Joaquim Ferreira, a fighter he had previously beaten.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship (2008–2021)

[edit]

#### Debut (2008–2010)

[edit]

Dos Santos debuted for the UFC on 25 October 2008 at UFC 90. Considered a major underdog,[10] he knocked out top contender Fabrício Werdum at a minute and twenty seconds of the first round,[11][12] earning himself a "Knockout of the Year" award.[13]

Returning on 21 February 2009 at UFC 95 he fought promotional newcomer Stefan Struve, defeating him at fifty-four seconds of the first round by knockout.[14]

On 19 September 2009, Dos Santos continued his winning streak and defeated Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 103.[15] During the third round Dos Santos dominated Cro Cop in the clinch with knee strikes and punches. A knee from the clinch and a right uppercut apparently caused damage to Mirko's left eye, causing him to submit verbally.[16]

UFC 108 scheduled a fight between Dos Santos and Gabriel Gonzaga. However, Gonzaga pulled out of the bout on 25 November 2009 due to a staph infection.[17] Instead, on 2 January 2010, Dos Santos fought Gilbert Yvel,[18] winning the fight via TKO at two minutes and seven seconds of the first round.[19]

Dos Santos faced Gabriel Gonzaga on 21 March 2010 at UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones.[20] He won the fight via knockout in the first round, earning him his second "Knockout of the Night" award.[21]

#### Heavyweight title contender (2010–2011)

[edit]

Dos Santos faced Roy Nelson on 7 August 2010, at UFC 117.[22] The fight saw Dos Santos use a variety of strikes and, for the first time, a successful takedown.[23] Despite Dos Santos's striking ability, Nelson was able to stay in the fight,[24] resulting in the fight going to decision.[25] Dos Santos won the fight via unanimous decision.[26] Following the win, there was speculation that Dos Santos would challenge Cain Velasquez for the heavyweight title. However, a torn rotator cuff suffered by Velasquez side-lined the champion for nearly a year.[27][28]

Junior dos Santos in action against Shane Carwin in the main event of UFC 131.

On 11 January 2011, the president of the UFC, Dana White, announced that Dos Santos would be one of the coaches of The Ultimate Fighter Season 13, opposite Brock Lesnar.[29] They were scheduled to face each other on 11 June 2011, at UFC 131,[30] but Lesnar pulled out of the bout due to a recurrence of diverticulitis and was replaced by Shane Carwin.[31] Dos Santos dominated Carwin and won the fight via unanimous decision,[32] relying predominantly on his boxing skills,[33] but showed more variety in his game by landing a couple of kicks and completing two takedowns in the third round.[34][35]

#### UFC Heavyweight Champion (2011–2012)

[edit]

Dos Santos faced Cain Velasquez at UFC on Fox 1 for the UFC Heavyweight Championship on 12 November 2011.[36] He won the fight via knockout at 64 seconds into the first round.[37] The performance also earned him his third "Knockout of the Night" award.[38] After the fight, it was revealed that he had a torn meniscus in his knee;[39] he subsequently underwent a successful knee surgery.[40]

Dos Santos was scheduled to face Alistair Overeem on 26 May 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena at UFC 146.[41] On 4 April 2012, the Nevada State Athletic Commission announced Overeem had failed a pre-fight drug test.[42] Consequently, Overeem's request for a license was denied.[43] On 20 April 2012, Dana White the UFC president announced Frank Mir would be replacing Overeem.[44] Dos Santos was able to keep the fight standing, showing his superior boxing skills, eventually winning via KO in the second round.

A rematch against Cain Velasquez was expected on 22 September 2012 at UFC 152.[45] However, it was later announced by Dana White that the fight would take place in Las Vegas on 29 December 2012 at UFC 155. Dos Santos lost via unanimous decision.[46] This marked the first time Dos Santos had suffered a loss in the UFC. Dos Santos later claimed that he was training so hard prior to the bout with Velasquez that he developed rhabdomyolysis, a (sometimes fatal) breakdown of muscle fibers that releases their contents into the bloodstream, and that the condition affected his performance during the fight.[47]

#### Back into contention (2013–2021)

[edit]

Dos Santos was expected to face Alistair Overeem on 25 May 2013 at UFC 160.[48] However, in early March, Overeem pulled out of the bout citing an injury.[49] The bout was expected to be rescheduled for a future event,[50] However, on 9 March, UFC President Dana White confirmed that Dos Santos's next opponent would be Mark Hunt at the same event.[51] Dos Santos won the fight via third-round knockout.[52] This fight earned both participants Fight of the Night award.[53]

A third fight with Cain Velasquez took place on 19 October 2013 at UFC 166.[54] Although Dos Santos experienced more moments of success than in their second fight, he was still dominated by Velasquez for most of the fight. He lost via TKO at 3:09 of the fifth round.[55]

Dos Santos was expected to face Stipe Miocic on 24 May 2014 at UFC 173.[56] However, the bout was delayed and was scheduled to take place a week later on 31 May 2014 at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale.[57] However, on 5 May, it was announced that Dos Santos pulled out of the fight citing a hand injury[58][59] and he was replaced by Fábio Maldonado.[60]

A rescheduled bout with Miocic took place as the main event at UFC on Fox 13 on 13 December 2014.[61] Dos Santos won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.[62] The performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.[63]

After a year away from the sport, Dos Santos had the three-years-delayed fight with Alistair Overeem which took place on 19 December 2015 at UFC on Fox 17.[64] He lost the bout by technical knockout in the second round.[65]

Dos Santos faced Ben Rothwell on 10 April 2016 at UFC Fight Night 86.[66] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[67]

Dos Santos was originally expected to face Stefan Struve in a rematch on 19 February 2017 at UFC Fight Night 105.[68] However on 12 January, Struve pulled out due to a shoulder injury.[69] Despite having over six weeks before the event, promotion officials elected to remove Dos Santos from the event instead of having him face a replacement.[70]

Dos Santos faced Stipe Miocic on 13 May 2017 at UFC 211 for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.[71] He had previously beaten Miocic by unanimous decision at UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic in 2014. Dos Santos lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[72]

Dos Santos was expected to face Francis Ngannou on 9 September 2017 at UFC 215.[73] However, on 18 August, Dos Santos was pulled from the match after being notified of a potential USADA violation.[74] On 24 April 2018 Dos Santos was cleared of intentionally using of Performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) by USADA, after it was determined he had taken tainted supplements which contained hydrochlorothiazide from the compounding pharmacies in Brazil. He became eligible to compete on 24 April 2018.[75]

Dos Santos returned from his suspension and faced former WSOF Heavyweight Champion Blagoy Ivanov on 14 July 2018 at UFC Fight Night 133.[76] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[77]

Dos Santos faced Tai Tuivasa on 2 December 2018 at UFC Fight Night 142.[78] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[79]

Dos Santos faced Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 4 on 9 March 2019.[80] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.[81] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[82]

Dos Santos faced Francis Ngannou on 29 June 2019 at UFC on ESPN 3.[83] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[84]

Dos Santos was scheduled to face Alexander Volkov on 9 November 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 21.[85] However, Dos Santos was forced to pull out from the event due to a bacterial infection in his leg.[86]

As the first bout of his new eight-fight contract, Dos Santos faced Curtis Blaydes on 25 January 2020 at UFC Fight Night 166.[87][88] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[89]

Dos Santos faced Jairzinho Rozenstruik on 15 August 2020 at UFC 252.[90] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[91]

Dos Santos faced Ciryl Gane on 12 December 2020 at UFC 256.[92] He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[93]

On 3 March 2021, it was announced that Dos Santos had been released from the UFC.[94]

### Eagle Fighting Championship

[edit]

Dos Santos made his Eagle FC debut against Yorgan De Castro on 20 May 2022 at Eagle FC 47.[95] Dos Santos outstruck De Castro for most of the bout, but would go on to lose by technical knockout due to a doctor stoppage after suffering a shoulder injury early in the third round.[96]

### Gamebred FC

[edit]

Dos Santos fought in a rematch against Fabrício Werdum in a bare knuckle MMA fight on September 8, 2023, at Gamebred Fighting Championship 5.[97] He won the fight by split decision.[98]

Dos Santos faced Alan Belcher for the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight championship in the main event of Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7 on March 2, 2024.[99] Dos Santos won the championship by knockout in the second round.[100]

#### Global Fight League

[edit]

On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Dos Santos was signed by Global Fight League.[101]

## Professional wrestling career

[edit]

### All Elite Wrestling (2021)

[edit]

In the summer of 2021, dos Santos began making appearances for the professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling, backing American Top Team head Dan Lambert along with ATT affiliated fighters Andrei Arlovski, Paige VanZant, Austin Vanderford, Dalton Rosta, and Jorge Masvidal. They formed an alliance with Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky, otherwise known as the Men of the Year (both of which have legitimate extensive martial arts backgrounds, with Scorpio Sky having fought in MMA competition). On the 6 October edition of AEW Dynamite, it was announced that Dos Santos would be making his professional wrestling debut on the 15 October edition of AEW Rampage, teaming with Sky and Page to take on Jake Hager, Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara (The Inner Circle) in a trios match.[102]

## Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

### Mixed Martial Arts

[edit]

* Ultimate Fighting Championship
* UFC Heavyweight Championship (One time)
* One successful title defense
* Knockout of the Night (Three times)  vs. Fabrício Werdum, Gabriel Gonzaga and Cain Velasquez
* Fight of the Night (Three times)  vs. Mark Hunt, Stipe Miocic and Derrick Lewis[53][63][82]
* Longest winning streak in UFC Heavyweight division history (9)[103]
* Most knockdowns landed in UFC Heavyweight division history (14)[103]
* Tied (Cain Velasquez & Francis Ngannou) for second most knockouts in UFC Heavyweight division history (10)[103]
* Fifth most bouts in UFC Heavyweight division history (23)[103]
* Fourth most wins in UFC Heavyweight division history (15)[103]
* Third most total fight time in UFC Heavyweight division history (4:07:01)[103]
* Third most significant strikes landed in UFC Heavyweight division history (1109)[103]
* Sixth most total strikes landed in UFC Heavyweight division history (1217)[103]
* Highest takedown defense percentage in UFC Heavyweight division history (81.8)[103]
* Tied for fourth most consecutive knockouts in UFC history (5)[104]
* UFC.com Awards
* 2008: Ranked #5 Newcomer of the Year[105] Ranked #2 Knockout of the Year vs. Fabricio Werdum[106] & Ranked #2 Upset of the Year vs. Fabricio Werdum[107]
* 2010: Ranked #6 Fighter of the Year[108]
* 2011: Ranked #2 Fighter of the Year[109] & Ranked #9 Knockout of the Year vs. Cain Velasquez 1[110]
* 2013 Half-Year Awards: Best Knockout of the 1HY[111] & Ranked #5 Knockout of the Year vs. Mark Hunt[112]
* 2014: Ranked #3 Fight of the Year vs. Stipe Miocic 1[113]
* Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA
* Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Champion (Inaugural; One time; current)
* FIGHT! Magazine
* Upset of the Year (2008) vs. Fabrício Werdum
* MMAJunkie.com
* 2014 December Fight of the Month vs. Stipe Miocic[114]
* Sherdog
* 2010 All-Violence Third Team[115]
* 2011 All-Violence First Team[116]

## Personal life

[edit]

Dos Santos has stated that Antônio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira is his hero.[117]

He is a Roman Catholic.[10]

In January 2013, he announced that he had divorced his wife of ten years before competing at UFC 155.[118]

On 9 March 2017, Dos Santos's first child, a boy, was born.[119] Dos Santos's second child, a daughter, was named after his mother.[citation needed]

## Filmography

[edit]

Dos Santos featured as one of the contestants for Dança dos Famosos, the Brazilian version of Dancing with the Stars, which started on 25 August 2019 at Globo's "Domingão do Faustão".[120][121] Dos Santos was eliminated from the competition on 1 December 2019, placing fifth.[122]

## Mixed martial arts record

[edit]

Professional record breakdown  33 matches | 23 wins | 10 losses

|
|

By knockout | 16  | 8
By submission | 1  | 1
By decision | 6  | 1
Res.  | Record  | Opponent  | Method  | Event  | Date  | Round  | Time  | Location  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Win  | 23–10  | Alan Belcher | TKO (punches)  | Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7  | 2 March 2024 | 2  | 4:39  | Orlando, Florida, United States  | Bare Knuckle MMA. Won the inaugural Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Championship.
Win  | 22–10  | Fabrício Werdum | Decision (split)  | Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 5  | 8 September 2023 | 3  | 5:00  | Jacksonville, Florida, United States  | Bare Knuckle MMA.
Loss  | 21–10  | Yorgan De Castro | TKO (shoulder injury)  | Eagle FC 47 | 20 May 2022 | 3  | 0:35  | Miami, Florida, United States  |
Loss  | 21–9  | Ciryl Gane | TKO (elbow)  | UFC 256 | 12 December 2020 | 2  | 2:34  | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  |
Loss  | 21–8  | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | TKO (punches)  | UFC 252 | 15 August 2020 | 2  | 3:47  | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  |
Loss  | 21–7  | Curtis Blaydes | TKO (punches)  | UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. dos Santos | 25 January 2020 | 2  | 1:06  | Raleigh, North Carolina, United States  |
Loss  | 21–6  | Francis Ngannou | TKO (punches)  | UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. dos Santos | 29 June 2019 | 1  | 1:11  | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States  |
Win  | 21–5  | Derrick Lewis | TKO (punches)  | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos | 9 March 2019 | 2  | 1:58  | Wichita, Kansas, United States  | Fight of the Night.
Win  | 20–5  | Tai Tuivasa | TKO (punches)  | UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Tuivasa | 2 December 2018 | 2  | 2:30  | Adelaide, Australia  |
Win  | 19–5  | Blagoy Ivanov | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Ivanov | 14 July 2018 | 5  | 5:00  | Boise, Idaho, United States  |
Loss  | 18–5  | Stipe Miocic | TKO (punches)  | UFC 211 | 13 May 2017 | 1  | 2:22  | Dallas, Texas, United States  | For the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win  | 18–4  | Ben Rothwell | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC Fight Night: Rothwell vs. dos Santos | 10 April 2016 | 5  | 5:00  | Zagreb, Croatia  |
Loss  | 17–4  | Alistair Overeem | TKO (punches)  | UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2 | 19 December 2015 | 2  | 4:43  | Orlando, Florida, United States  |
Win  | 17–3  | Stipe Miocic | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic | 13 December 2014 | 5  | 5:00  | Phoenix, Arizona, United States  | Fight of the Night.
Loss  | 16–3  | Cain Velasquez | TKO (slam and punch)  | UFC 166 | 19 October 2013 | 5  | 3:09  | Houston, Texas, United States  | For the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win  | 16–2  | Mark Hunt | KO (spinning hook kick)  | UFC 160 | 25 May 2013 | 3  | 4:18  | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  | UFC Heavyweight title eliminator. Fight of the Night.
Loss  | 15–2  | Cain Velasquez | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC 155 | 29 December 2012 | 5  | 5:00  | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  | Lost the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win  | 15–1  | Frank Mir | TKO (punches)  | UFC 146 | 26 May 2012 | 2  | 3:04  | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  | Defended the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
Win  | 14–1  | Cain Velasquez | KO (punches)  | UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos | 12 November 2011 | 1  | 1:04  | Anaheim, California, United States  | Won the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Knockout of the Night.
Win  | 13–1  | Shane Carwin | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC 131 | 11 June 2011 | 3  | 5:00  | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada  | UFC Heavyweight title eliminator.
Win  | 12–1  | Roy Nelson | Decision (unanimous)  | UFC 117 | 7 August 2010 | 3  | 5:00  | Oakland, California, United States  |
Win  | 11–1  | Gabriel Gonzaga | TKO (punches)  | UFC Live: Vera vs. Jones | 21 March 2010 | 1  | 3:53  | Broomfield, Colorado, United States  | Knockout of the Night.
Win  | 10–1  | Gilbert Yvel | TKO (punches)  | UFC 108 | 2 January 2010 | 1  | 2:07  | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States  |
Win  | 9–1  | Mirko Cro Cop | TKO (submission to punch)  | UFC 103 | 19 September 2009 | 3  | 2:00  | Dallas, Texas, United States  |
Win  | 8–1  | Stefan Struve | TKO (punches)  | UFC 95 | 21 February 2009 | 1  | 0:54  | London, England  |
Win  | 7–1  | Fabrício Werdum | TKO (punches)  | UFC 90 | 25 October 2008 | 1  | 1:20  | Rosemont, Illinois, United States  | Knockout of the Night.
Win  | 6–1  | Geronimo dos Santos  | TKO (doctor stoppage)  | Demo Fight 3  | 24 May 2008 | 1  | 0:44  | Salvador, Brazil  | Return to Heavyweight.
Loss  | 5–1  | Joaquim Ferreira  | Submission (armbar)  | MTL: Final  | 10 November 2007 | 1  | 1:13  | São Paulo, Brazil  |
Win  | 5–0  | Jair Gonçalves  | TKO (punches)  | Mo Team League 2  | 29 September 2007 | 1  | 2:52  | São Paulo, Brazil  |
Win  | 4–0  | Joaquim Ferreira  | TKO (retirement)  | XFC: Brazil  | 29 April 2007 | 1  | 5:00  | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  |
Win  | 3–0  | Edson Ramos  | TKO (doctor stoppage)  | XFC: Brazil  | 29 April 2007 | 1  | 8:45  | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil  | Light Heavyweight debut.
Win  | 2–0  | Eduardo Maiorino | Submission (guillotine choke)  | Minotauro Fights 5  | 9 December 2006 | 1  | 0:50  | São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil  |
Win  | 1–0  | Jailson Silva Santos  | KO (soccer kick)  | Demo Fight 1  | 16 July 2006 | 1  | 2:58  | Salvador, Brazil  |

[123]

## Pay-per-view bouts

[edit]

No.  | Event  | Fight  | Date  | Venue  | City  | PPV Buys

|
|
|
|
|
|

1\.  | UFC 103 | dos Santos vs. Cro Cop (co)  | September 9, 2009  | American Airlines Center | Dallas, Texas, U.S  | 375,000[124]
2\.  | UFC 131 | dos Santos vs. Carwin | June 11, 2011  | Rogers Arena | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada  | 325,000[125]
3\.  | UFC 146 | dos Santos vs. Mir | May 26, 2012  | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S  | 560,000[126]
4\.  | UFC 155 | dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2 | December 29, 2012  | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S  | 590,000[127]
5\.  | UFC 160 | dos Santos vs. Hunt (co)  | May 25, 2013  | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S  | 380,000[128]
6\.  | UFC 166 | Velasquez vs. dos Santos 3 | October 19, 2013  | Toyota Center | Houston, Texas, U.S  | 330,000[129]
7\.  | UFC 211 | Miocic vs. dos Santos 2 | May 13, 2017  | American Airlines Center | Dallas, Texas, U.S  | 300,000[130]

## See also

[edit]

* List of male mixed martial artists

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Junior Cigano". MMA Brasil. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
2. ^ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Dos Santos vs. Miocic". UFC. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
3. ^ Jim Varsallone (12 May 2017). "Junior dos Santos of ATT for UFC 211 on The Roman Show". Miami Herald. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
4. ^ "JUNIOR DOS SANTOS EARNS BJJ BLACK BELT". fightersonlymag.com. 11 December 2012. Archived from the original on 14 December 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
5. ^ Loretta Hunt (27 December 2012). "Impoverished youth, mother's struggles fuel dos Santos' stellar career". si.com.
6. ^ "De garçom a lutador: experiência de vida ajuda Cigano a superar derrota". Globoesporte.com. 6 January 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
7. ^ "Sobre". Cigano - Official Website. Archived from the original on 11 November 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
8. ^ Dehò, Maurício (7 November 2011). "Cigano foge do rótulo de celebridade em luta da vida e quer nocaute: '5 rounds é chato'" [Gypsy escapes the label of celebrity in the struggle of life and wants KO: '5 rounds is boring '] (in Portuguese). UOL.com. Retrieved 6 April 2012.
9. ^ Non, Sergio (7 June 2011). "Junior dos Santos: 'I like being the nice guy'". USAToday.com. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
10. ^ a b Mindenhall, Chuck (March 2011). "Gypsy Road". FightMagazine.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
11. ^ "UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote Results". UFC. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
12. ^ Alonso, Marcelo (29 October 2008). "KO Alters Course for Werdum, Dos Santos". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
13. ^ "UFC 90 bonuses: Sherk, Griffin, dos Santos and Fisher each earn $65K". MMAJunkie.com. 26 October 2008. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
14. ^ Michael David Smith (21 February 2009). "UFC 95: Junior 'Cigano' dos Santos vs. Stefan Struve Spoiler". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
15. ^ "UFC 103 Play-by-Play & Results". Sherdog.com. 20 September 2009. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
16. ^ Cofield, Steve (19 September 2009). "Mirko 'Cro Cop' no longer scary: Dos Santos' knees force the Croatian legend to quit". Sports.Yahoo.com. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
17. ^ Cofield, Steve (25 October 2009). "Another good fight goes bye-bye: Gonzaga out of UFC 108". Sports.Yahoo.com. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
18. ^ Cofield, Steve (2 January 2010). "Dos Santos wins rock'em, sock'em battle over Yvel". Sports.Yahoo.com. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
19. ^ Leidecker, Tim (5 January 2010). "UFC 108 Analysis: The Main Card". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
20. ^ Karkoski, Kris. "Junior dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga Announced for "UFC on Versus: Vera vs. Jones"". mmafrenzy.com. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
21. ^ Morgan, John; Stupp, Dann (21 March 2010). "UFC on Versus 1 bonuses: Three fighters earn $50,000 "KO of Night" awards". MMAJunkie.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
22. ^ "Roy Nelson vs. Junior dos Santos in the works for UFC 117 main card". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
23. ^ "UFC 117 Results & Live Play-by-Play". Sherdog.com. 7 August 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
24. ^ Cofield, Steve (7 August 2010). "UFC 117: Dos Santos pummels Nelson but can't finish 'the belly'". Sports.Yahoo.com. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
25. ^ Non, Sergio (7 August 2010). "Dos Santos pummels Nelson for decision win at UFC 117". USAToday.com. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
26. ^ "Dos Santos batters 'Zombie' Nelson to earn title shot". ESPN.co.uk. 8 August 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
27. ^ Marrocco, Steven (29 December 2010). "Trainer: UFC champ Velasquez out minimum 6-8 months with torn rotator cuff". MMAJunkie.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2012. "Heavy speculation that UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez (9-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) would make his first title defense against Junior Dos Santos in Toronto came to naught today with news that Velasquez is on the bench with an injury."
28. ^ Santos, Fabricio (17 August 2011). "O card do UFC 139, que terá o brasileiro Júnior dos Santos disputando o título dos pesados contra Cain Velasquez terá um duelo de brasileiros". MMA Magazine (Brasil). Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2014.
29. ^ Damon Martin (11 January 2011). "Brock Lesnar and Junior Dos Santos Named Coaches for The Ultimate Fighter Season 13". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
30. ^ Martin, Damon (11 January 2011). "Brock Lesnar vs. Junior Dos Santos At June UFC PPV; No Interim Title on the Line". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
31. ^ Michael David Smith (12 May 2011). "Brock Lesnar Out of UFC 131". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
32. ^ Knapp, Brian (11 June 2011). "JDS outguns Carwin, clinches title shot". ESPN.Go.com. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
33. ^ Whitman, Mike (11 June 2011). "After Outboxing Carwin, 'Cigano' Looks Toward 'Biggest Challenge'". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
34. ^ Mindenhall, Chuck (12 June 2011). "Dos Santos more than just a boxer". ESPN.Go.com. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
35. ^ "Dos Santos vs. Carwin Official UFC Statistics". FightMetric.com. 11 June 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
36. ^ "Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos headlines UFC's debut on FOX". mmajunkie.com. 2 September 2011. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
37. ^ "Junior dos Santos claims title belt". ESPN.Go.com. 13 November 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
38. ^ Whitman, Mike (17 November 2011). "New Champion Dos Santos Tops UFC on Fox 1 Paydays". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
39. ^ Morgan, John; Marrocco, Steven (13 November 2011). "New UFC champ Junior Dos Santos fought with torn meniscus at UFC on FOX". MMAJunkie.com. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
40. ^ Whitman, Mike (7 December 2011). "UFC Champ Dos Santos Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
41. ^ Iole, Kevin (31 March 2012). "Nice guy Dos Santos gears up for Overeem". UK.EuroSport.Yahoo.com. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
42. ^ Marrocco, Steven (4 April 2012). "Alistair Overeem fails pre-fight drug test, likely out of UFC 146 title fight". MMAJunkie.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
43. ^ Chiappetta, Mike (24 April 2012). "Alistair Overeem License Request Denied; Can Re-Apply in December". Retrieved 24 April 2012.
44. ^ Critchfield, Tristen (20 April 2012). "UFC President Says Frank Mir Will Face Junior dos Santos for Heavyweight Title at UFC 146". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
45. ^ "Junior Dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez II targeted for UFC 152 headliner". mmajunkie.com. 9 June 2012. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
46. ^ Okamoto, Brett (12 August 2012). "Junior Dos Santos to fight Velasquez". ESPN.com. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
47. ^ Holland, Jesse (23 May 2013). "UFC 160: How overtraining nearly killed Junior dos Santos". mmamania.com. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
48. ^ Matt Erickson (12 February 2013). "Velasquez-Silva 2, Dos Santos Overeem booked for UFC 160 in May". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 12 February 2013.
49. ^ Helwani, Ariel (6 March 2013). "Alistair Overeem injured, out of UFC 160 fight against Junior dos Santos". MMAfighting.com. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
50. ^ Staff (7 March 2013). "After UFC 160 scratch, Alistair Overeem vs. JDS now likely in summer". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
51. ^ Ariel Helwani (9 March 2013). "Mark Hunt vs. Junior dos Santos on for UFC 160". MMAfighting.com. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
52. ^ Chiappetta, Mike (25 May 2013). "UFC 160 results: Junior dos Santos KO's Mark Hunt". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
53. ^ a b "UFC 160 bonuses: dos Santos, Hunt, Grant, Teixeira earn $50,000". MMA Junkie. 26 May 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
54. ^ Stupp, Dann; Erickson, Matt (13 June 2013). "Champ Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos III likely at UFC 166 in Houston". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
55. ^ Stupp, Dann (20 October 2013). "Champ Cain Velasquez stomps JDS in rubber match". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
56. ^ Adam Hill (3 March 2014). "Dos Santos to fight Miocic at UFC 173". reviewjournal.com.com. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
57. ^ mmajunkie staff (7 April 2014). "Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva shifts to UFC 175, dos Santos vs. Miocic headlines in Brazil". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
58. ^ Brett Okamoto (6 May 2014). "Junior dos Santos pulls out of fight". ESPN. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
59. ^ Cole, Ross (5 May 2014). "Junior dos Santos Pulls Out Of TUF Brazil 3 Finale Due To Injury". Fight of the Night. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
60. ^ Guilherme Cruz (6 May 2014). "Fabio Maldonado vs. Stipe Miocic headlines TUF: Brazil 3 Finale card". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
61. ^ Chuck Mindenhall (17 September 2014). "Stipe Miocic versus Junior dos Santos being discussed for December". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
62. ^ Brian Knapp (13 December 2014). "Junior dos Santos denies upset bid, decisions Stipe Miocic in UFC on Fox 13 Main Event". sherdog.com. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
63. ^ a b Gene Mrosko (13 December 2014). "UFC on Fox 13 bonuses: Junior dos Santos vs. Stipe Miocic fight earns $50K". mmamania.com. Retrieved 13 December 2014.
64. ^ Luke Thomas (25 August 2014). "Junior dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem set for UFC on FOX 17 in December". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
65. ^ Dave Doyle (19 December 2015). "UFC on FOX 17 results: Alistair Overeem knocks out Junior dos Santos". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
66. ^ Staff (8 February 2016). "Ben Rothwell vs. Junior Dos Santos headlines UFC Fight Night 86 in Croatia". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
67. ^ "UFC Fight Night 86 results: Ex-champ Junior Dos Santos routs Ben Rothwell for shutout". mmajunkie.com. 10 April 2016.
68. ^ Staff (14 December 2016). "Junior Dos Santos vs. Stefan Struve rematch headlines UFC Fight Night 105 in Halifax". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
69. ^ Shaun Al-Shatti (12 January 2017). "Stefan Struve injured, out of UFC Halifax bout against JDS". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
70. ^ Raphael Marinho (18 January 2017). "UFC can not substitute for Struve, and Cigano leaves Canada card" (in Portuguese). sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
71. ^ Ariel Helwani (6 February 2017). "Stipe Miocic vs. Junior dos Santos 2 set for UFC 211". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
72. ^ "UFC 211 results: Stipe Miocic tears through Junior Dos Santos for first-round TKO". MMAjunkie. 14 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
73. ^ Marc Raimondi (28 June 2017). "Junior dos Santos vs. Francis Ngannou official for UFC 215". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
74. ^ "Junior dos Santos pulled from UFC 215 due to potential USADA violation". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
75. ^ "USADA: Junior dos Santos, two others, cleared of intentionally using PEDs". Retrieved 24 April 2018.
76. ^ "Sources: UFC schedules dos Santos-Ivanov fight". ESPN.com. 1 May 2018.
77. ^ "UFC Fight Night 133 results: Junior Dos Santos tops Blagoy Ivanov in five-rounder". MMAjunkie. 15 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
78. ^ "Junior Dos Santos vs Tai Tuivasa set to headline UFC Adelaide". | BJPenn.com. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
79. ^ Straus, Mike (2 December 2018). "UFC Adelaide Results: Junior dos Santos Overwhelms Tai Tuivasa With Strikes". www.lowkickmma.com. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
80. ^ "Junior Dos Santos vs. Derrick Lewis targeted as UFC on ESPN+ 4 headliner in Kansas". mmajunkie.com. 7 January 2019.
81. ^ Pearson, Andrew (9 March 2019). "UFC Fight Night 146 results: Junior dos Santos finishes Derrick Lewis in back-and-forth battle". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
82. ^ a b "UFC Wichita bonuses: Junior Dos Santos, Derrick Lewis take $50,000 'Fight of Night'". MMA Junkie. 10 March 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
83. ^ Marrocco, Steven (21 May 2019). "Junior Dos Santos vs. Francis Ngannou now headlines UFC on ESPN 3". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
84. ^ Evanoff, Josh (29 June 2019). "UFC Minneapolis Results: Francis Ngannou Quickly KOs Junior dos Santos". Cageside Press. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
85. ^ Nolan King (7 September 2019). "Junior Dos Santos vs. Alexander Volkov set to headline UFC on ESPN+ 21". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
86. ^ y Guilherme Cruz (22 October 2019). "Junior dos Santos hospitalized, out of UFC Moscow fight with Alexander Volkov". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
87. ^ "Curtis Blaydes To Battle Junior Dos Santos At UFC Raleigh". UFC. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
88. ^ Guilherme Cruz (31 January 2020). "Junior dos Santos disagrees with coaches who advise rest, targets May return". mmafighting.com.
89. ^ McClory, Mike (25 January 2020). "UFC Raleigh Results: Curtis Blaydes Stops Junior Dos Santos in Second". Cageside Press. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
90. ^ Guilherme Cruz and Damon Martin (12 June 2020). "Junior dos Santos vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik agreed for UFC 252". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
91. ^ Vreeland, Daniel (15 August 2020). "UFC 252 Results: Jairzinho Rozenstruik Waits, Tags dos Santos". Cageside Press. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
92. ^ Mike Heck and Guilherme Cruz (28 October 2020). "Junior dos Santos vs. Ciryl Gane added to UFC 256 fight card". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
93. ^ Doherty, Dan (12 December 2020). "UFC 256 Results: Ciryl Gane Stays Undefeated, Stops Junior dos Santos". Cageside Press. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
94. ^ Martin, Damon (3 March 2021). "Former heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos released from the UFC". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
95. ^ "Junior dos Santos books May 20 Eagle FC debut". ESPN.com. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
96. ^ "Eagle FC 47 results: Junior Dos Santos' shoulder pops out, causing TKO loss to Yorgan De Castro". Retrieved 21 May 2022.[permanent dead link]
97. ^ Blackett, Todd (22 June 2023). "Fabricio Werdum And Junior Dos Santos Set For Bare Knuckle MMA Rematch". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
98. ^ "Fabricio Werdum Loses Bare Knuckle MMA Fight With Junior Dos Santos". Jitsmagazine. 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
99. ^ Nolan King (15 February 2024). "11 former UFC fighters set to compete at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
100. ^ Staff (2 March 2024). "Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7: Dos Santos vs. Belcher Results". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
101. ^ "Global Fight League announces launch, roster includes giant list of former UFC fighters". MMA Junkie. 11 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
102. ^ Alexander K. Lee (7 October 2021). "Video: Junior dos Santos gets physical with champion in AEW segment, set for pro wrestling debut next week". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
103. ^ a b c d e f g h i UFC.com (7 December 2024). "UFC Stats - Heavyweight Division". UFC.
104. ^ Mike Bohn (8 September 2024). "UFC Fight Night 242 post-event facts: Jessica Andrade makes history in Fight of the Night defeat". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
105. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (28 December 2008). "The Highly Unofficial 2008 UFC Awards - The Newcomers". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
106. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (28 December 2008). "The Highly Unofficial 2008 UFC Awards - The Knockouts". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
107. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (28 December 2008). "The Highly Unofficial 2008 UFC Awards - The Upsets". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
108. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (19 December 2010). "Ten Best – The Fighters of 2010". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
109. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (9 January 2012). "Ten Best - 2011 Fighter of the Year". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
110. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (6 January 2012). "Ten Best - 2011 Knockout of the Year". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
111. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (21 June 2013). "Unofficial Half-Year Awards - The Knockouts of 2013". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
112. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (3 January 2014). "Ten Best: The Knockouts of 2013". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
113. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (26 December 2014). "Top Ten - The Fights of 2014". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
114. ^ "MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for December 2014". MMAjunkie. 25 December 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
115. ^ Breen, Jordan (10 January 2011). "Third Team". M.sherdog.com. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
116. ^ Breen, Jordan (6 January 2012). "First Team". M.sherdog.com. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
117. ^ "Junior Dos Santos – Official UFC® Profile". UFC. Archived from the original on 14 November 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
118. ^ "Recém-separado, Junior Cigano revela: 'Estou doido para ver a família'" (in Portuguese). Retrieved 22 January 2013.
119. ^ Junior Dos Santos [@junior_cigano] (9 March 2017). "Ele chegou / he's here" (Tweet). Retrieved 28 August 2022 - via Twitter.
120. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (18 August 2019). "Junior dos Santos joins Brazil's 'Dancing with the Stars' cast". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
121. ^ "Junior Dos Santos' debut on 'Dancing With The Stars' was perfect in every way". MMA Junkie. 3 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
122. ^ Guilherme Cruz (2 December 2019). "Junior dos Santos eliminated from Brazil's Dancing With The Stars". mmafighting.com.
123. ^ Sherdog.com. "Junior". Sherdog. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
124. ^ "UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
125. ^ "UFC 131: Carwin vs. Dos Santos | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
126. ^ "UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
127. ^ "UFC 155: Dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2 | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
128. ^ "UFC 160: Velasquez vs. Silva 2 | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
129. ^ "UFC 166: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos 3 | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
130. ^ "UFC 211: Miocic vs. Dos Santos 2 | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 9 September 2022.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Professional MMA record for Junior dos Santos from Sherdog
* Junior Dos Santos at UFC

Achievements

Preceded by

Cain Velasquez

|  16th UFC Heavyweight Champion
12 November 2011 – 29 December 2012  | Succeeded by

Cain Velasquez

* v
* t
* e

UFC Heavyweight Champions

* Mark Coleman
* Maurice Smith
* Randy Couture
* Bas Rutten
* Kevin Randleman
* Randy Couture (2)
* Josh Barnett
* Ricco Rodriguez
* Tim Sylvia
* Frank Mir
* Andrei Arlovski (ic)
* Andrei Arlovski
* Tim Sylvia (2)
* Randy Couture (3)
* Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira (ic)
* Brock Lesnar
* Frank Mir (ic)
* Shane Carwin (ic)
* Cain Velasquez
* Junior dos Santos
* Cain Velasquez (2)
* Fabrício Werdum (ic)
* Fabrício Werdum
* Stipe Miocic
* Daniel Cormier
* Stipe Miocic (2)
* Francis Ngannou
* Ciryl Gane (ic)
* Jon Jones (current)
* Tom Aspinall (ic, current)

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template