Quick Facts
Biography
Evangelista Santos (Portuguese pronunciation: [evɐ̃ʒeˈlistɐ ˈsɐ̃tus] born December 12, 1977) is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in the Welterweight division. After making his professional debut in 2001, Santos, competed for Strikeforce, PRIDE Fighting Championship, Cage Rage, International Vale Tudo Championships, Pancrase, Jungle Fight, and World Victory Road. He holds notable victories over Marius Zaromskis, Francis Carmont, and Brennan Ward.
Mixed martial arts 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 which required surgery afterwards.
Personal life
Santos was married to Women's MMA fighter Cristiane Justino, but the couple split in December 2011.
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 39 matches | 21 wins | 18 losses |
| By knockout | 12 | 12 |
| By submission | 6 | 2 |
| By decision | 3 | 4 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 21–18 | Michael Page | KO (flying knee) | Bellator 158 | 000000002016-07-16-0000July 16, 2016 | 2 | 4:31 | London, United Kingdom | Suffered Fractured skull |
| Loss | 21–17 | Saad Awad | TKO (punches) | Bellator 154 | 000000002016-05-14-0000May 14, 2016 | 1 | 4:31 | San Jose, California, United States | |
| Win | 21–16 | Brennan Ward | Submission (heel hook) | Bellator 153 | 000000002016-04-22-0000April 22, 2016 | 1 | 0:30 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 20–16 | Artenas Young | Decision (unanimous) | Legacy FC 50 | 000000002016-01-22-0000January 22, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 19–16 | Melvin Manhoef | TKO (punches) | Gringo Super Fight 10 | 000000002014-04-27-0000April 27, 2014 | 1 | 0:46 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | For Gringo Super Fight Welterweight Title. |
| Win | 19–15 | Elton Rodrigues | TKO (punches) | Warriors of God | 000000002013-08-17-0000August 17, 2013 | 1 | 1:37 | Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil | |
| Loss | 18–15 | Jordan Mein | TKO (elbows) | Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov | 000000002011-09-10-0000September 10, 2011 | 3 | 3:18 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 18–14 | Nick Diaz | Submission (armbar) | Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg | 000000002011-01-29-0000January 29, 2011 | 2 | 4:50 | San Jose, California, United States | For Strikeforce Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–13 | Marius Žaromskis | TKO (punches) | Strikeforce: Los Angeles | 000000002010-06-16-0000June 16, 2010 | 1 | 2:38 | Los Angeles, California, United States | Debut at 170 lb |
| Win | 17–13 | Daniel Zarate | TKO (head kick and punches) | Samurai Fight Combat 2 | 000000002009-12-12-0000December 12, 2009 | 1 | 1:41 | Curitiba, Brazil | |
| Loss | 16–13 | Joey Villasenor | Decision (split) | Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg | 000000002009-06-19-0000June 19, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Kent, Washington, United States | |
| Loss | 16–12 | Siyar Bahadurzada | TKO (arm injury) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 5 | 000000002008-09-28-0000September 28, 2008 | 1 | 0:35 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 16–11 | Makoto Takimoto | Submission (achilles lock) | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku First Battle | 000000002008-03-05-0000March 5, 2008 | 1 | 4:51 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 15–11 | Gegard Mousasi | TKO (punches) | HCF: Destiny | 000000002008-02-01-0000February 1, 2008 | 1 | 3:42 | Calgary, Canada | Debut at 185 lb |
| Loss | 15–10 | James Zikic | Decision (unanimous) | Cage Rage 21 | 000000002007-04-21-0000April 21, 2007 | 5 | 5:00 | London, United Kingdom | For Cage Rage World Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–9 | Yosuke Nishijima | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Pride FC - Final Conflict Absolute | 000000002006-09-10-0000September 10, 2006 | 1 | 3:24 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Loss | 14–9 | Kazuhiro Nakamura | Submission (americana) | Pride FC - Critical Countdown Absolute | 000000002006-07-01-0000July 1, 2006 | 1 | 4:49 | Saitama, Japan | |
| Win | 14–8 | Francis Carmont | Decision (majority) | WFC: Europe vs Brazil | 000000002006-05-20-0000May 20, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Koper, Slovenia | |
| Win | 13–8 | Roberto Godoi | Decision (unanimous) | Show Fight 4 | 000000002006-04-06-0000April 6, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Loss | 12–8 | Melvin Manhoef | KO (punches) | Cage Rage 15 | 000000002006-02-04-0000February 4, 2006 | 2 | 3:51 | London, United Kingdom | For Cage Rage World Light Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 12–7 | Michal Materla | KO (punches) | Jungle Fight 5 | 000000002005-11-26-0000November 26, 2005 | 2 | 2:03 | Manaus, Brazil | |
| Win | 11–7 | Darren Little | TKO (corner stoppage) | Cage Rage 13 | 000000002005-09-10-0000September 10, 2005 | 1 | 0:55 | London, United Kingdom | |
| Win | 10–7 | Kassim Annan | Submission (stomps and soccer kicks) | Meca World Vale Tudo 12 | 000000002005-07-09-0000July 9, 2005 | 1 | 3:43 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 9–7 | Mark Epstein | TKO (punches) | Cage Rage 11 | 000000002005-04-30-0000April 30, 2005 | 1 | 2:16 | London, United Kingdom | |
| Loss | 8–7 | Antony Rea | TKO (punches) | Cage Rage 10 | 000000002005-02-26-0000February 26, 2005 | 2 | 1:55 | London, United Kingdom | |
| Loss | 8–6 | Yuki Kondo | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Brave 10 | 000000002004-11-07-0000November 7, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Loss | 8–5 | Claudio Godoi | TKO (punches) | Conquista Fight 1 | 000000002003-12-20-0000December 20, 2003 | 3 | 2:23 | Bahia, Brazil | |
| Win | 8–4 | Lucas Lopes | TKO (punches and leg kick) | Jungle Fight 1 | 000000002003-09-13-0000September 13, 2003 | 2 | 4:08 | Manaus, Brazil | |
| Loss | 7–4 | Maurício Rua | TKO (punches) | Meca World Vale Tudo 9 | 000000002003-08-01-0000August 1, 2003 | 1 | 8:12 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 7–3 | Gabriel Santos | KO (knee) | K-NOCK | 000000002003-07-23-0000July 23, 2003 | 1 | 1:01 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 6–3 | Osami Shibuya | KO (punch) | Pancrase: Hybrid 5 | 000000002003-05-18-0000May 18, 2003 | 1 | 1:20 | Yokohama, Japan | |
| Win | 5–3 | Silvio de Souza | KO (punch) | Meca World Vale Tudo 7 | 000000002002-11-08-0000November 8, 2002 | 1 | 0:10 | Curitiba, Brazil | |
| Loss | 4–3 | Angelo Araujo | TKO (punches) | IVC 14: USA vs Brazil | 000000002001-11-11-0000November 11, 2001 | 1 | 8:46 | Caracas, Venezuela | |
| Win | 4–2 | Jefferson Silva | KO (punch) | IVC 14: USA vs Brazil | 000000002001-11-11-0000November 11, 2001 | 1 | 2:28 | Caracas, Venezuela | |
| Win | 3–2 | Aaron Sullivan | TKO (punches) | IVC 14: USA vs Brazil | 000000002001-11-11-0000November 11, 2001 | 1 | 0:13 | Caracas, Venezuela | |
| Loss | 2–2 | Jorge Magalhaes | Decision (unanimous) | Heroes 2 | 000000002001-06-30-0000June 30, 2001 | 1 | 12:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Jose Landi-Jons | TKO (punches) | BVF 8: Campeonato Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 2 | 000000001997-11-20-0000November 20, 1997 | 1 | 8:18 | Brazil | |
| Win | 2–0 | Adriano Verdelli | Submission (punches) | BVF 8: Campeonato Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 2 | 000000001997-11-20-0000November 20, 1997 | 1 | 1:56 | Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Roberto Pereira | Submission (rear-naked choke) | BVF 8: Campeonato Brasileiro de Vale Tudo 2 | 000000001997-11-20-0000November 20, 1997 | 1 | 2:37 | Brazil |