Leandro Issa

Leandro Issa (born September 19, 1983) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist. He is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has won numerous BJJ competitions and tournaments including the Mundials and the Brazilian national championships. He is a member of the Evolve MMA team and is based in Singapore.

Mixed martial arts career Fighting in Brazil Issa made his professional MMA debut in October 2006 submitting Eduardo Felipe in the second round. He was handed the first loss of his MMA career in May 2007 when he was stopped in the third round by Japanese fighter Takafumi Otsuka. In total Issa fought five times in Brazil during this period, winning three fights and losing two.

War Gods Issa's first fight outside of Brazil was at War Gods in California. He defeated Ralph Lopez by rear naked choke in the opening round. and he has finished all five fights with a different submission. On July 18 it was announced that Issa would be facing unbeaten Korean Soo Chul Kim at ONE Fighting Championship: Champion vs. Champion at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on September 3.

This fight was Issa's first as a bantamweight. Although Soo Chul Kil had a record of 4–1, Issa has been described as the toughest opponent he has ever faced. Issa won the fight via unanimous decision.

Issa's next fight was against Japanese veteran Masakazu Imanari at ONE Fighting Championship: Destiny of Warriors in Kuala Lumpur in June 2012. He won by unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship In November 2013, it was announced that Issa had signed a contract with the UFC. His debut took place on January 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night: Saffiedine vs. Lim against Russell Doane. He lost the fight via technical submission in the second round.

Issa next fought Jumabieke Tuerxun at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale on July 6, 2014. He won the fight via submission due to an armbar in the third round. His efforts earned him his first Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses.

Issa fought Ulka Sasaki on December 20, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 58. He won the fight in the second round via submission.

Issa next faced Iuri Alcântara on August 1, 2015, at UFC 190. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Issa next faced Taylor Lapilus on September 3, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 93. He lost the fight by unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Championships and achievements Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (One time) Performance of the Night (One time) UFC.com Awards 2014: Ranked #8 Submission of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Artem Belakh Decision (unanimous) ONE 162

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Loss

Daichi Takenaka TKO (punches) ONE: Dawn of Heroes

Pasay, Philippines Win

Fu Changxin Submission (armbar) ONE: Roots of Honor |

Pasay, Philippines Loss

Muin Gafurov KO (punch) ONE: Kingdom of Heroes

Bangkok, Thailand Win

Roman Alvarez Submission (arm-triangle choke) ONE: Spirit of a Warrior

Yangon, Myanmar Win

Kim Dae-hwan Decision (unanimous) ONE: Immortal Pursuit

Kallang, Singapore Win

Toni Tauru TKO (punches) ONE: Kings and Conquerors

Macau, SAR, China Loss

Taylor Lapilus Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Barnett

Hamburg, Germany Loss

Iuri Alcântara Decision (unanimous) UFC 190

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Ulka Sasaki Submission (neck crank) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway

Barueri, Brazil Win

Jumabieke Tuerxun Submission (armbar) The Ultimate Fighter: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Russell Doane Technical Submission (triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Saffiedine vs. Lim

Marina Bay, Singapore Win

Yusup Saadulaev Decision (unanimous) ONE FC: Kings and Champions

Kallang, Singapore Loss

Soo Chul Kim TKO (punches) ONE FC: Rise of Kings

Kallang, Singapore Win

Masakazu Imanari Decision (unanimous) ONE FC: Destiny of Warriors

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Win

Soo Chul Kim Decision (unanimous) ONE FC: Champion vs. Champion

Kallang, Singapore Win

Liu Guoqian Submission (arm-triangle choke) Martial Combat 11

Sentosa, Singapore Win

Ramsey Dewey Submission (kimura) Martial Combat 5

Sentosa, Singapore Win

Jiang Longyun Submission (armbar) Martial Combat 1

Sentosa, Singapore Win

Choi Yeong-gwang Submission (triangle choke) Art of War 15

Beijing, China Win

Ralph Lopez Submission (rear-naked choke) War Gods

Salinas, California, United States Loss

Hudson Rocha Submission (guillotine choke) Rio FC 1

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Tony Marcos TKO (punches) Gladiator Combat Arena

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Loss

Takafumi Otsuka TKO (punches) Fury FC 3

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Leonardo Porto Submission (triangle choke) Segundo Muay Thai Festival

Niterói, Brazil Win

Eduardo Felipe Submission (choke) Top Fighter MMA 2

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil