Evangelista Santos

Evangelista Santos (; born December 12, 1977) is a Brazilian retired mixed martial artist. A professional from 1997 until 2016, Santos competed for Strikeforce, Bellator MMA, the PRIDE Fighting Championships, Cage Rage, International Vale Tudo Championships, Pancrase, Jungle Fight, Legacy FC, and World Victory Road. Known for his exciting fighting style, 14 of his 21 wins ended via knockout. Santos is a former runner up for the Strikeforce Welterweight Title.

Background Born and raised in the city of Rondonopolis, Santos did not have a particularly safe upbringing; at the age of 12, he was introduced to cockfighting, which was popular and not yet illegal in Brazil. After training and taking care of fighting roosters for five more years, he began training in kickboxing which eventually led him to vale tudo at the age of 18. Santos was also a four-time Brazilian national champion in Muay Thai.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Santos turned professional when he was 20 years old and began his career 2-0 before facing legendary Brazilian fighter Jose "Pele" Landi-Jons, losing by TKO. Santos won his first two fights with the British Cage Rage organization before returning to Brazil's Jungle Fight, winning over future KSW Middleweight Champion Michal Materla by knockout, which is Materla's only knockout loss of his career to date. Santos then fought against Dutch kickboxer Melvin "No Mercy" Manhoef for the Cage Rage World Light Heavyweight Championship. The two fought a highly-entertaining bout, trading punches but Santos ultimately lost after being knocked out. Santos won his next two fights, including a majority decision over future UFC veteran Francis Carmont before making his debut in PRIDE FC.

PRIDE Fighting Championships Santos made his debut in Japan's PRIDE FC against submission specialist Kazuhiro Nakamura, losing by a keylock submission. His next fight with the Japanese organization was against Japanese professional boxer Yosuke Nishijima, which Santos won by a rear-naked choke submission.

World Victory Road Santos fought again for the Cage Rage World Light Heavyweight Championship against James Zikic but lost by unanimous decision. Santos also lost his next fight against Armenian superstar Gegard Mousasi by TKO before making his debut in World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships against Makoto Takimoto, winning by an achilles lock. Santos fought once more for the Japanese organization against future UFC veteran Siyar Bahadurzada, losing by TKO after receiving an arm injury.

Strikeforce Santos made his Strikeforce debut June 19, 2009, and headlined the Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg event, but came up short against former King of the Cage Middleweight Champion Joey Villasenor losing by a split decision. In his next fight, he went on to face and defeat Marius Zaromskis, who battled Nick Diaz for the vacant Strikeforce Welterweight Title.

Santos challenged Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz for the title on January 29, 2011, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. He lost the fight via armbar submission in the second round.

Santos was due to fight Paul Daley at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson but was forced to withdraw due to a shoulder injury. Santos fought Strikeforce newcomer Jordan Mein on September 10, 2011, at Strikeforce World Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov. After a grueling back and forth fight "Cyborg" was defeated by Mein via TKO due to Elbows in the third round handing "Cyborg" back to back defeats, Santos has now suffered his fourth loss in his last six fights.

After a long period of inactivity, Santos requested his release from Strikeforce to fight more consistently. His request was granted.

Legacy Fighting Championship Santos was expected to face Pete Spratt at Legacy Fighting Championship 17 on February 1, 2013. However, Santos was forced to pull out of the bout due to injury and was replaced by Dan Hornbuckle.

After nearly two years away from the sport, Santos returned to face Artenas Young in the main event during Legacy Fighting Championship 50 on January 22, 2016. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Gringo Super Fight Santos made his GSF debut on April 28, 2014, against Melvin Manhoef in a rematch from 2006. Santos, who was knocked out by Manhoef in their first outing, lost to Manhoef again via first-round knockout. Santos then announced his retirement shortly after the fight.

Bellator MMA On March 1, 2016, it was announced that Santos signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA.

Santos made his organizational debut April 22 on the main card of Bellator 153 in a welterweight matchup beating Brennan Ward via first round submission.

Making a quick turnaround, Santos agreed to fight Saad Awad at Bellator 154 on May 14, 2016, but lost.

On July 16, 2016, Santos faced Michael "Venom" Page and was defeated via KO by a flying knee, resulting in a frontal sinus fracture.

Santos retired in January 2017. He spent a year coaching in Curitiba, Brazil. In early 2018 he returned to the USA and is coaching in his own gym in Texas. In August 2018 Santos confirmed he had no plans to return to competition.

Personal life Santos was married to women's MMA fighter Cristiane Justino from 2005 to December 2011. It was during this time she adopted his nickname for herself.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Michael Page KO (flying knee) Bellator 158

London, United Kingdom Loss

Saad Awad TKO (punches) Bellator 154

San Jose, California, United States Win

Brennan Ward Submission (heel hook) Bellator 153

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Win

Artenas Young Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 50

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Melvin Manhoef TKO (punches) Gringo Super Fight 10

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Elton Rodrigues TKO (punches) Warriors of God

Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil Loss

Jordan Mein TKO (elbows) Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Loss

Nick Diaz Submission (armbar) Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg

San Jose, California, United States | Win

Marius Žaromskis TKO (punches) Strikeforce: Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Daniel Zarate TKO (head kick and punches) Samurai Fight Combat 2

Curitiba, Brazil Welterweight debut. Loss

Joey Villasenor Decision (split) Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg

Kent, Washington, United States Loss

Siyar Bahadurzada TKO (arm injury) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 5

Tokyo, Japan Win

Makoto Takimoto Submission (achilles lock) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku First Battle

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Gegard Mousasi TKO (punches) HCF: Destiny

Calgary, Canada Middleweight debut. Loss

James Zikic Decision (unanimous) Cage Rage 21

London, United Kingdom For the Cage Rage World Light Heavyweight Championship. Win

Yosuke Nishijima Submission (rear-naked choke) PRIDE FC: Final Conflict Absolute

Saitama, Japan Loss

Kazuhiro Nakamura Submission (americana) PRIDE FC: Critical Countdown Absolute

Saitama, Japan Win

Francis Carmont Decision (majority) WFC: Europe vs Brazil

Koper, Slovenia Win

Roberto Godoi Decision (unanimous) Show Fight 4

São Paulo, Brazil Loss

Melvin Manhoef KO (punches) Cage Rage 15

London, United Kingdom For the Cage Rage World Light Heavyweight Championship. Win

Michal Materla KO (punches) Jungle Fight 5

Manaus, Brazil Win

Darren Little TKO (corner stoppage) Cage Rage 13

London, United Kingdom Win

Kassim Annan TKO (submission to soccer kicks) Meca World Vale Tudo 12

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Mark Epstein TKO (punches) Cage Rage 11

London, United Kingdom Loss

Antony Rea TKO (punches) Cage Rage 10

London, United Kingdom Loss

Yuki Kondo Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Brave 10

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Claudio Godoi TKO (punches) Conquista Fight 1

Bahia, Brazil Win

Lucas Lopes TKO (punches and leg kick) Jungle Fight 1

Manaus, Brazil Loss

Maurício Rua TKO (punches) Meca World Vale Tudo 9

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Gabriel Santos KO (knee) K-NOCK

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Osami Shibuya KO (punch) Pancrase: Hybrid 5

Yokohama, Japan Win

Silvio de Souza KO (punch) Meca World Vale Tudo 7

Curitiba, Brazil Loss

Angelo Araujo TKO (punches) IVC 14: USA vs Brazil

Caracas, Venezuela Win

Jefferson Silva KO (punch) IVC 14: USA vs Brazil

Caracas, Venezuela Win

Aaron Sullivan TKO (punches) IVC 14: USA vs Brazil

Caracas, Venezuela Loss

Jorge Magalhaes Decision (unanimous) Heroes 2

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Loss

Jose Landi-Jons TKO (punches) BVF 8: Campeonato Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 2

Brazil Win

Adriano Verdelli TKO (submission to punches) BVF 8: Campeonato Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 2

Brazil Win

Roberto Pereira Submission (rear-naked choke) BVF 8: Campeonato Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 2

Brazil