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{{short description|Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Portuguese name|dos Santos|Almeida}}
{{Infobox martial artist {{Infobox martial artist
| name = Junior dos Santos | name = Junior dos Santos
| other_names = Cigano ("Gypsy"), JDS | other_names = Cigano
| image = | image = Junior dos Santos.jpg
| image_size = | image_size =
| alt = | alt =
| caption = | caption = Dos Santos in June 2011
| birth_name = Junior dos Santos Almeida | birth_name = Junior dos Santos
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1984|1|30}}<ref name="mmabrasil.com.br">{{cite web |url=http://www.mmabrasil.com.br/saiba-mais/lutadores/junior-cigano |title=Junior Cigano |publisher=MMA Brasil |access-date=12 August 2014 |archive-date=3 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703035621/http://www.mmabrasil.com.br/saiba-mais/lutadores/junior-cigano |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|09|12}}
| birth_place = ], ], ] | birth_place = ], ], Brazil
| death_date = | death_place =
| death_place = | nationality =
| death_cause = | height = 6 ft 4 in
| residence = | weight = 247 lb
| weight_class = ] {{small|(2006, 2008−present)}}<br>] {{small|(2007)}}
| nationality = {{flagicon|Brazil}} ]
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=3}} <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/fighter/Junior_Dos_Santos |title=Junior Dos Santos UFC Profile |work=UFC.com |accessdate=August 7, 2010}}</ref> | reach = {{convert |77.0|in|cm|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-fight-night-phoenix/printFightCard|title=Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Dos Santos vs. Miocic|publisher=UFC.com|access-date=15 December 2014}}</ref>
| fighting_out_of = ], Brazil
| weight = {{convert|240|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| trainer = ] & ]: Luiz Dorea<br>]: Yuri Carlton
| weight_class = ]
| team = ]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article150332392.html|title=Junior dos Santos of ATT for UFC 211 on The Roman Show|work=]|author=Jim Varsallone|date=12 May 2017|access-date=13 January 2017}}</ref>
| reach = {{convert|77.0|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| style = ], ], ] | style =
| rank = Black belt in ] {{small|under Yuri Carlton}}<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fightersonlymag.com/content/news/17769-junior-dos-santos-earns-bjj-black-belt|title=JUNIOR DOS SANTOS EARNS BJJ BLACK BELT|date=11 December 2012|work=fightersonlymag.com|access-date=30 December 2012|archive-date=14 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214063726/http://www.fightersonlymag.com/content/news/17769-junior-dos-santos-earns-bjj-black-belt|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| stance = Orthodox
| years_active = 2006–present (mixed martial arts)<br/>2021 (professional wrestling)
| fighting_out_of = ]
| mma_kowin = 16
| trainer = Boxing: Luiz Dorea <br>Jiu Jitsu: ]</br> Wrestling: ]</br>
| mma_subwin = 1
| team = ]
| mma_decwin = 6
| rank = {{color box|brown}} ''brown belt in ]''
| years_active = 2006–present | mma_koloss = 8
| mma_win = 12
| mma_kowin = 8
| mma_subwin = 3
| mma_decwin = 1
| mma_loss = 1
| mma_koloss =
| mma_subloss = 1 | mma_subloss = 1
| mma_decloss = | mma_decloss = 1
| mma_draw = | mma_draw =
| mma_nc = | mma_nc =
| url = {{URL|http://www.juniordossantos.com.br/|juniordossantos.com.br}}
| kickbox_win = 18
| kickbox_kowin = 18
| kickbox_loss = 0
| url = http://www.juniordossantos.com.br/
| sherdog = 17272 | sherdog = 17272
| footnotes = | updated =
| updated = March 21, 2010
}} }}
'''Junior<!--should this be "Júnior"?--> dos Santos Almeida''' ({{IPA-pt|ˈʒũnjoʁ dus ˈsɐ̃tus}}; born September 12, 1984) is a ] professional ] competing in the ]. dos Santos fights in the Heavyweight division, under the tutelage of former UFC and Pride Heavyweight Champion ] and UFC Middleweight Champion ]. He is currently ranked as the #5 heavyweight in the world by Sherdog.com<ref>{{cite web|http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/2/Sherdog-Official-Mixed-Martial-Arts-Rankings-27767 |title=Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings |work=Sherdog.com |date=October 28, 2010 |accessdate=November 5, 2010}}</ref> and #2 by MMAfighting.com<ref>http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/26/mma-top-10-heavyweights-cain-velasquez-is-the-champ/</ref>


'''Junior dos Santos''' ({{IPA|pt|ˈʒũnjoʁ dus ˈsɐ̃tus}}; born 30 January 1984) is a Brazilian ] and former ] who competes in the ] division. He is a former ] and current Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Champion. As a professional wrestler, dos Santos made appearances for ] (AEW) as a member of the ] stable.
==Mixed Martial Arts career==

dos Santos is a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and currently holds a brown belt. dos Santos trains his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Anderson Silva.
==Background==
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/mma/2012/12/27/junior-dos-santos|title=Impoverished youth, mother's struggles fuel dos Santos' stellar career|publisher=si.com|author=Loretta Hunt|date=27 December 2012}}</ref> He started to work at the age of ten in order to help his family. He trained in ] throughout his teenage years before he began taking martial arts seriously at 21, when he began training in ] under Yuri Carlton. After six months of training, Dos Santos won a few jiu-jitsu tournaments in ].<ref>{{cite web|title= De garçom a lutador: experiência de vida ajuda Cigano a superar derrota|date= 6 January 2013|url= http://globoesporte.globo.com/programas/esporte-espetacular/noticia/2013/01/de-garcom-lutador-experiencia-de-vida-ajuda-cigano-superar-derrota.html|publisher= Globoesporte.com|access-date= 10 January 2013}}</ref><ref name="sobre">{{cite web|title= Sobre|url= http://www.juniordossantos.com.br/|publisher= Cigano - Official Website|access-date= 31 July 2015|archive-date= 11 November 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111111025858/http://www.juniordossantos.com.br/|url-status= dead}}</ref> One year later, Dos Santos was invited to join a boxing practice by a friend, where he met his boxing coach ]. Dórea also trained mixed martial arts, and roughly a year after he started training in boxing, he had his debut professional fight.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://esporte.uol.com.br/lutas/vale-tudo/ultimas-noticias/2011/11/07/cigano-foge-do-rotulo-de-celebridade-em-luta-da-vida-e-quer-nocaute-5-rounds-e-chato.htm |title= Cigano foge do rótulo de celebridade em luta da vida e quer nocaute: '5 rounds é chato' |last= Dehò |first= Maurício |publisher= UOL.com |date= 7 November 2011 |access-date= 6 April 2012 |language= pt |trans-title= Gypsy escapes the label of celebrity in the struggle of life and wants KO: '5 rounds is boring '}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.usatoday.com/sports/mma/post/2011/06/junior-dos-santos-i-like-being-the-nice-guy/1 |title= Junior dos Santos: 'I like being the nice guy' |last= Non |first= Sergio |publisher= USAToday.com |date=7 June 2011 |access-date=7 April 2012}}</ref>

==Mixed martial arts career==


===Early career=== ===Early career===
dos Santos turned professional in 2006 at the age of 21. He fought in small promotions in Brazil, such as Demo Fight, Extreme Fighting Championship, Minotauro Fights and Mo Team League. He won 6 out of his first 7 bouts, with his only loss coming from ], in a rematch.<ref>http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Junior-dos-Santos-17272</ref> 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=== ===Ultimate Fighting Championship (2008–2021)===


====Debut (2008–2010)====
dos Santos debuted for the UFC at '']''. Considered a major underdog, dos Santos knocked out top contender ] in the first round with a strong uppercut.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/event/UFC_90_SILVA_vs_COTE/results |title=UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote Results |publisher=UFC.com |accessdate=August 7, 2010}}</ref>
Dos Santos debuted for the ] on 25 October 2008 at ]. Considered a major underdog,<ref name="FMROAD" /> he knocked out top contender ] at a minute and twenty seconds of the first round,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ufc.com/event/UFC_90_SILVA_vs_COTE/results |title=UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote Results |publisher= UFC.com |access-date= 7 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/KO-Alters-Course-for-Werdum-Dos-Santos-14951 |title= KO Alters Course for Werdum, Dos Santos |last= Alonso |first=Marcelo |publisher= Sherdog.com |date= 29 October 2008 |access-date=3 April 2012}}</ref> earning himself a "Knockout of the Year" award.<ref name="KOBONUS1">{{cite web |url= http://mmajunkie.com/news/13100/ufc-90-bonuses-dos-santos-fisher-sherk-griffin-earn-65k-each.mma |title= UFC 90 bonuses: Sherk, Griffin, dos Santos and Fisher each earn $65K |publisher= MMAJunkie.com |date= 26 October 2008 |access-date= 12 March 2012 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130129043018/http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2008/10/ufc-90-bonuses-dos-santos-fisher-sherk-griffin-earn-65k-each |archive-date= 29 January 2013 }}</ref>


Returning on 21 February 2009 at ] he fought promotional newcomer ], defeating him at fifty-four seconds of the first round by knockout.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.mmafighting.com/2009/02/21/ufc-95-junior-cigano-dos-santos-vs-stefan-struve-spoiler |title= UFC 95: Junior 'Cigano' dos Santos vs. Stefan Struve Spoiler |author= Michael David Smith |publisher= MMAFighting.com |access-date= 12 March 2012|date= 21 February 2009 }}</ref>
dos Santos returned and fought ] at '']'', quickly defeating him in the first round by TKO.


dos Santos obtained one of his biggest victories to date over ] at '']''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Morgan |first=John |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/15450/yes-junior-dos-santos-is-set-to-fight-mirko-cro-cop-filipovoc-at-ufc-103.mma |title=Yes, Junior dos Santos is set to fight Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović at UFC 103 |publisher=MMAjunkie.com |date= |accessdate=2009-07-09}}</ref> During the third round, dos Santos dominated Filipović in the clinch with knee strikes and punches. A knee from the clinch & a right uppercut left Cro Cop unable to see causing him to verbally submit from the fight. On 19 September 2009, Dos Santos continued his winning streak and defeated ] at '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/UFC-103-PlaybyPlay-Results-19792 |title= UFC 103 Play-by-Play & Results |publisher=Sherdog.com |date= 20 September 2009 |access-date=4 April 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Mirko-Cro-Cop-no-longer-scary-Dos-Santos-kne?urn=mma,190669 |title= Mirko 'Cro Cop' no longer scary: Dos Santos' knees force the Croatian legend to quit |last= Cofield |first= Steve |publisher= Sports.Yahoo.com |date= 19 September 2009 |access-date= 4 April 2012}}</ref>


] scheduled a fight between Dos Santos and ]. However, Gonzaga pulled out of the bout on 25 November 2009 due to a ].<ref>{{cite web | url= https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Another-good-fight-goes-bye-bye-Gonzaga-out-of-?urn=mma,204974 | title= Another good fight goes bye-bye: Gonzaga out of UFC 108 | last= Cofield |first= Steve |publisher= Sports.Yahoo.com |date= 25 October 2009 | access-date= 5 April 2012}}</ref> Instead, on 2 January 2010, Dos Santos fought ],<ref>{{cite web |url= https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Dos-Santos-wins-rock-em-sock-em-battle-over-Yve?urn=mma-211463 | title= Dos Santos wins rock'em, sock'em battle over Yvel |last= Cofield |first= Steve | publisher= Sports.Yahoo.com |date= 2 January 2010 | access-date= 5 April 2012}}</ref> winning the fight via TKO at two minutes and seven seconds of the first round.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/UFC-108-Analysis-The-Main-Card-21848 |title= UFC 108 Analysis: The Main Card |last= Leidecker |first= Tim |publisher= Sherdog.com |date= 5 January 2010 |access-date= 5 April 2012}}</ref>
dos Santos was supposed to fight ] at UFC 108; however, Gonzaga pulled out of the bout on November 25, 2009, due to a staph infection. Instead, dos Santos fought ], winning the fight via TKO during the first round, giving him his fourth straight UFC victory, finishing all his opponents by way of stoppage.


dos Santos defeated ] on March 21, 2010, at ] by knockout in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |last=Karkoski |first=Kris |url=http://mmafrenzy.com/12782/junior-dos-santos-vs-gabriel-gonzaga-announced-for-ufc-on-versus-vera-vs-jones/ |title=Junior dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga Announced for "UFC on Versus: Vera vs. Jones" |publisher=mmafrenzy.com |accessdate=2010-01-13}}</ref> Dos Santos faced ] on 21 March 2010 at ].<ref>{{cite web | last= Karkoski | first= Kris | url= http://mmafrenzy.com/12782/junior-dos-santos-vs-gabriel-gonzaga-announced-for-ufc-on-versus-vera-vs-jones/ | title= Junior dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga Announced for "UFC on Versus: Vera vs. Jones" | publisher= mmafrenzy.com | access-date= 13 January 2010}}</ref> He won the fight via knockout in the first round, earning him his second "Knockout of the Night" award.<ref name="KOBONUS2">
{{cite web
|last1= Morgan |first1= John |last2= Stupp |first2= Dann
|url= http://mmajunkie.com/news/18394/ufc-on-versus-1-fighter-bonuses-three-fighters-earn-50k-ko-of-night-awards.mma
|title= UFC on Versus 1 bonuses: Three fighters earn $50,000 "KO of Night" awards
|publisher= MMAJunkie.com |date= 21 March 2010 |access-date= 29 March 2012 |url-status= dead
|archive-url= https://archive.today/20120630114800/http://mmajunkie.com/news/18394/ufc-on-versus-1-fighter-bonuses-three-fighters-earn-50k-ko-of-night-awards.mma
|archive-date= 30 June 2012
}}
</ref>


====Heavyweight title contender (2010–2011)====
dos Santos faced ] on August 7, 2010 at ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/19070/roy-nelson-vs-junior-dos-santos-in-the-works-for-ufc-117-main-card.mma|title=Roy Nelson vs. Junior Dos Santos in the works for UFC 117 main card|publisher=MMAjunkie.com |accessdate=2010-05-10}}</ref> The fight saw dos Santos use a variety of strikes and, for the first time, a successful takedown. Despite dos Santos' striking ability, Nelson was able to stay in the fight, resulting in the fight going to decision. dos Santos won via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27).
Dos Santos faced ] on 7 August 2010, at ].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://mmajunkie.com/news/19070/roy-nelson-vs-junior-dos-santos-in-the-works-for-ufc-117-main-card.mma|title= Roy Nelson vs. Junior dos Santos in the works for UFC 117 main card|publisher= MMAjunkie.com |access-date= 10 May 2010}}</ref> The fight saw Dos Santos use a variety of strikes and, for the first time, a successful takedown.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-117-Results-Live-PlaybyPlay-25863 |title= UFC 117 Results & Live Play-by-Play |publisher=Sherdog.com |date=7 August 2010 |access-date=31 March 2012}}</ref> Despite Dos Santos's striking ability, Nelson was able to stay in the fight,<ref>{{cite web |url= https://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-117-Dos-Santos-pummels-Nelson-but-can-t-fin?urn=mma,260947 |title= UFC 117: Dos Santos pummels Nelson but can't finish 'the belly' |last= Cofield |first= Steve |publisher= Sports.Yahoo.com |date= 7 August 2010 |access-date= 31 March 2012}}</ref> resulting in the fight going to decision.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.usatoday.com/sports/mma/post/2010/08/dos-santos-pummels-nelson-for-decision-win-at-ufc-117/1 |title= Dos Santos pummels Nelson for decision win at UFC 117 |last= Non |first= Sergio |publisher= USAToday.com |date= 7 August 2010 |access-date= 31 March 2012}}</ref> Dos Santos won the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.espn.co.uk/ufc/sport/story/38096.html |title= Dos Santos batters 'Zombie' Nelson to earn title shot |publisher= ESPN.co.uk |date= 8 August 2010 |access-date= 31 March 2012}}</ref> Following the win, there was speculation that Dos Santos would challenge ] for the heavyweight title. However, a ] suffered by Velasquez side-lined the champion for nearly a year.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://mmajunkie.com/news/21892/trainer-ufc-champ-velasquez-out-a-minimum-of-6-8-months-with-torn-rotator-cuff.mma |title= Trainer: UFC champ Velasquez out minimum 6-8 months with torn rotator cuff |last= Marrocco |first= Steven |publisher= MMAJunkie.com |date= 29 December 2010 |access-date= 1 April 2012 |archive-date= 1 January 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110101040207/http://mmajunkie.com/news/21892/trainer-ufc-champ-velasquez-out-a-minimum-of-6-8-months-with-torn-rotator-cuff.mma |url-status= dead | quote= 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.
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://mmamagazine.ne10.uol.com.br/ufc/luta-entre-rafael-dos-anjos-vs-gleison-tibau-confirmada-no-ufc-139/ |title= 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. |last= Santos |first= Fabricio |publisher= MMA Magazine (Brasil) |date= 17 August 2011 |access-date= 19 February 2014 |archive-date= 27 February 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140227014537/http://mmamagazine.ne10.uol.com.br/ufc/luta-entre-rafael-dos-anjos-vs-gleison-tibau-confirmada-no-ufc-139/ |url-status= dead }}</ref>


]
On January 11, 2011, it was revealed that Dos Santos would be one of the coaches of ], opposite to ]<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/22057/brock-lesnar-and-junior-dos-santos-named-the-ultimate-fighter-13-coaches.mma|title=Brock Lesnar and Junior Dos Santos named "The Ultimate Fighter 13" coaches|accessdate=12 January 2011}}</ref>, with the two expected to face each other on June 11, 2011 at ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmaweekly.com/brock-lesnar-vs-junior-dos-santos-at-june-ufc-ppv-no-interim-title-on-the-line|title=Brock Lesnar vs. Junior Dos Santos At June UFC PPV; No Interim Title on the Line|publisher=mmaweekly.com |date=2011-01-11}}</ref>


On 11 January 2011, the president of the UFC, ], announced that Dos Santos would be one of the coaches of ], opposite ].<ref>{{cite web|author=Damon Martin |url=https://www.mmaweekly.com/brock-lesnar-and-junior-dos-santos-named-coaches-for-the-ultimate-fighter-13 |title=Brock Lesnar and Junior Dos Santos Named Coaches for The Ultimate Fighter Season 13 |publisher=MMAWeekly.com |date=2011-01-11 |accessdate=2022-08-12}}</ref> They were scheduled to face each other on 11 June 2011, at ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmaweekly.com/brock-lesnar-vs-junior-dos-santos-at-june-ufc-ppv-no-interim-title-on-the-line |title=Brock Lesnar vs. Junior Dos Santos At June UFC PPV; No Interim Title on the Line |last=Martin |first=Damon |publisher=MMAWeekly.com |date=11 January 2011 |access-date=1 April 2012}}</ref> but Lesnar pulled out of the bout due to a recurrence of ] and was replaced by ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/05/12/brock-lesnar-out-of-ufc-131-junior-dos-santos-vs-shane-carwin/ |title=Brock Lesnar Out of UFC 131 |author=Michael David Smith |date=12 May 2011 |work=MMAFighting.com |access-date=12 May 2011}}</ref> Dos Santos dominated Carwin and won the fight via unanimous decision,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/extra/mma/news/story?id=6652144 |title=JDS outguns Carwin, clinches title shot |last=Knapp |first=Brian |work=ESPN.Go.com |date=11 June 2011 |access-date=1 April 2012}}</ref> relying predominantly on his boxing skills,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/After-Outboxing-Carwin-Cigano-Looks-Toward-Biggest-Challenge-33111 |title=After Outboxing Carwin, 'Cigano' Looks Toward 'Biggest Challenge'|last=Whitman |first=Mike |publisher=Sherdog.com |date=11 June 2011 |access-date=1 April 2012}}</ref> but showed more variety in his game by landing a couple of kicks and completing two takedowns in the third round.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/mma/post/_/id/2398/dos-santos-more-than-just-a-boxer |title=Dos Santos more than just a boxer |last=Mindenhall |first=Chuck |publisher=ESPN.Go.com |date=12 June 2011 |access-date=1 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.fightmetric.com/2011/06/dos-santos-vs-carwin-official-ufc.html |title=Dos Santos vs. Carwin Official UFC Statistics |publisher=FightMetric.com |date=11 June 2011 |access-date=1 April 2012}}</ref>


====UFC Heavyweight Champion (2011–2012)====
==Personal life==
Dos Santos faced ] at ] for the ] on 12 November 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/25064/xx-vs-xx-headlines-ufcs-debut-on-fox.mma|title=Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos headlines UFC's debut on FOX|work=mmajunkie.com|date=2 September 2011|access-date=2 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317042333/http://mmajunkie.com/news/25064/xx-vs-xx-headlines-ufcs-debut-on-fox.mma|archive-date=17 March 2012}}</ref> He won the fight via knockout at 64 seconds into the first round.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/7227740/junior-dos-santos-stops-cain-velasquez-claim-ufc-title-belt |title=Junior dos Santos claims title belt |work=ESPN.Go.com |date=13 November 2011 |access-date=30 March 2012}}</ref> The performance also earned him his third "Knockout of the Night" award.<ref name="KOBONUS3">{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/New-Champion-Dos-Santos-Tops-UFC-on-Fox-1-Paydays-37291 |title=New Champion Dos Santos Tops UFC on Fox 1 Paydays |last=Whitman |first=Mike |publisher=Sherdog.com |date=17 November 2011 |access-date=29 March 2012}}</ref> After the fight, it was revealed that he had a ] in his knee;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/26074/new-ufc-champ-junior-dos-santos-fought-with-torn-meniscus-at-ufc-on-fox.mma |title=New UFC champ Junior Dos Santos fought with torn meniscus at UFC on FOX |last1=Morgan |first1=John |last2=Marrocco |first2=Steven |publisher=MMAJunkie.com |date=13 November 2011 |access-date=29 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120526004408/http://mmajunkie.com/news/26074/new-ufc-champ-junior-dos-santos-fought-with-torn-meniscus-at-ufc-on-fox.mma |archive-date=26 May 2012 }}</ref> he subsequently underwent a successful knee surgery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-Champ-Dos-Santos-Undergoes-Successful-Knee-Surgery-37855 |title=UFC Champ Dos Santos Undergoes Successful Knee Surgery |last=Whitman |first=Mike |publisher=Sherdog.com |date=7 December 2011 |access-date=29 March 2012}}</ref>
dos Santos states ] is his hero.<ref>http://www.ufc.com/fighter/Junior_Dos_Santos</ref>

Dos Santos was scheduled to face ] on 26 May 2012 at the ] at ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/31032012/58/nice-guy-dos-santos-gears-overeem.html |title=Nice guy Dos Santos gears up for Overeem |last=Iole |first=Kevin |publisher=UK.EuroSport.Yahoo.com |date=31 March 2012 |access-date=1 April 2012}}</ref> On 4 April 2012, the ] announced Overeem had failed a pre-fight drug test.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/28109/alistair-overeem-fails-pre-fight-drug-test-likely-out-of-ufc-146-title-fight.mma |title=Alistair Overeem fails pre-fight drug test, likely out of UFC 146 title fight |publisher=MMAJunkie.com |last=Marrocco |first=Steven |date=4 April 2012 |access-date=5 April 2012 |archive-date=4 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404213449/http://mmajunkie.com/news/28109/alistair-overeem-fails-pre-fight-drug-test-likely-out-of-ufc-146-title-fight.mma |url-status=dead }}</ref> Consequently, Overeem's request for a license was denied.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/2012/4/24/2972471/alistair-overeem-license-request-denied-can-re-apply-in-december |title=Alistair Overeem License Request Denied; Can Re-Apply in December |last=Chiappetta |first=Mike |date=24 April 2012 |access-date=24 April 2012}}</ref> On 20 April 2012, ] the UFC president announced ] would be replacing Overeem.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-President-Says-Frank-Mir-Will-Face-Junior-dos-Santos-for-Heavyweight-Title-at-UFC-146-42045 |title=UFC President Says Frank Mir Will Face Junior dos Santos for Heavyweight Title at UFC 146 |publisher=Sherdog.com |last=Critchfield |first=Tristen |date=20 April 2012 |access-date=20 April 2012}}</ref> 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 ] was expected on 22 September 2012 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/29128/junior-dos-santos-vs-cain-velasquez-ii-targeted-for-ufc-152-headliner.mma|title=Junior Dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez II targeted for UFC 152 headliner|work=mmajunkie.com|date=9 June 2012|access-date=9 June 2012|archive-date=9 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109075242/http://mmajunkie.com/news/29128/junior-dos-santos-vs-cain-velasquez-ii-targeted-for-ufc-152-headliner.mma|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, it was later announced by ] that the fight would take place in Las Vegas on 29 December 2012 at ]. Dos Santos lost via unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web|last=Okamoto|first=Brett|title=Junior Dos Santos to fight Velasquez|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/8261583/junior-dos-santos-fight-cain-velasquez-dec-29-las-vegas|work=ESPN.com|date=12 August 2012|access-date=12 August 2012}}</ref> 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 ], a (sometimes fatal) breakdown of muscle fibers that releases their contents into the bloodstream, and that the condition affected his performance during the fight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2013/5/23/4359730/ufc-160-how-overtraining-nearly-killed-junior-dos-santos-rhabdomyolysis-mma|title=UFC 160: How overtraining nearly killed Junior dos Santos|publisher=mmamania.com|last=Holland|first=Jesse|date=23 May 2013|access-date=16 October 2013}}</ref>

====Back into contention (2013–2021)====
Dos Santos was expected to face ] on 25 May 2013 at ].<ref name="HW">{{cite web|url=http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/02/velasquez-silva-2-dos-santos-overeem-booked-for-ufc-160-in-may|title=Velasquez-Silva 2, Dos Santos Overeem booked for UFC 160 in May|publisher=mmajunkie.com |author=Matt Erickson |date=12 February 2013|access-date=12 February 2013}}</ref> However, in early March, Overeem pulled out of the bout citing an injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2013/3/6/4072916/alistair-overeem-injured-out-of-ufc-160-fight-against-junior-dos|title=Alistair Overeem injured, out of UFC 160 fight against Junior dos Santos|publisher=MMAfighting.com|last=Helwani|first=Ariel|date=6 March 2013|access-date=6 March 2012}}</ref> The bout was expected to be rescheduled for a future event,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/03/after-ufc-160-scratch-alistair-overeem-vs-jds-now-likely-in-summer|title=After UFC 160 scratch, Alistair Overeem vs. JDS now likely in summer|publisher=MMAjunkie.com|author=Staff|date=7 March 2013|access-date=7 March 2012}}</ref> However, on 9 March, UFC President Dana White confirmed that Dos Santos's next opponent would be ] at the same event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2013/3/9/4082300/mark-hunt-vs-junior-dos-santos-on-for-ufc-160|title=Mark Hunt vs. Junior dos Santos on for UFC 160|publisher=MMAfighting.com|author=Ariel Helwani|date=9 March 2013|access-date=9 March 2012}}</ref> Dos Santos won the fight via third-round knockout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2013/5/25/4366788/ufc-160-results-junior-dos-santos-knocks-out-mark-hunt|title=UFC 160 results: Junior dos Santos KO's Mark Hunt|last=Chiappetta|first=Mike|date=2013-05-25|website=MMA Fighting|access-date=2019-03-10}}</ref> This fight earned both participants ''Fight of the Night'' award.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2013/05/ufc-160-bonuses-earn-fight-night-awards|title=UFC 160 bonuses: dos Santos, Hunt, Grant, Teixeira earn $50,000|date=2013-05-26|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2019-03-10}}</ref>

A third fight with ] took place on 19 October 2013 at ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/06/champ-cain-velasquez-vs-cain-velasquez-iii-likely-at-ufc-166-in-houston|title=Champ Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos III likely at UFC 166 in Houston|publisher=MMAjunkie.com|first1=Dann|last1=Stupp|first2=Matt|last2=Erickson|date=13 June 2013|access-date=13 June 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name="JDS3">{{cite web|url=http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/10/ufc-166-results-and-photos-cain-velasquez-vs-junior-dos-santos|title=Champ Cain Velasquez stomps JDS in rubber match|publisher=MMAjunkie.com|first=Dann|last=Stupp|date=20 October 2013|access-date=20 October 2012}}</ref>

Dos Santos was expected to face ] on 24 May 2014 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/dos-santos-fight-miocic-ufc-173|title=Dos Santos to fight Miocic at UFC 173|publisher=reviewjournal.com.com|author=Adam Hill|date=3 March 2014|access-date=3 March 2014}}</ref> However, the bout was delayed and was scheduled to take place a week later on 31 May 2014 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/04/chael-sonnen-vs-wanderlei-silva-shifts-to-ufc-175-in-las-vegas-dos-santos-vs-miocic-headlines-in-brazil/|title=Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva shifts to UFC 175, dos Santos vs. Miocic headlines in Brazil|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=mmajunkie staff|access-date=8 April 2014|date=7 April 2014}}</ref> However, on 5 May, it was announced that Dos Santos pulled out of the fight citing a hand injury<ref name="UFC175">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/10887390/junior-dos-santos-calls-stipe-miocic-fight-hand-injury|title=Junior dos Santos pulls out of fight|publisher=]|author=Brett Okamoto|access-date=6 May 2014|date=6 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.fightofthenight.com/news/junior-dos-santos-pulls-out-of-tuf-brazil-3-finale-due-to-injury | title=Junior dos Santos Pulls Out Of TUF Brazil 3 Finale Due To Injury | publisher=Fight of the Night | date=5 May 2014 | access-date=13 May 2014 | author=Cole, Ross}}</ref> and he was replaced by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2014/5/6/5688600/fabio-maldonado-vs-stipe-miocic-headlines-tuf-brazil-3-finale-card|title=Fabio Maldonado vs. Stipe Miocic headlines TUF: Brazil 3 Finale card |publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz|date=6 May 2014|access-date=6 May 2013}}</ref>

A rescheduled bout with Miocic took place as the main event at ] on 13 December 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2014/9/17/6341437/stipe-miocic-versus-junior-dos-santos-being-discussed-for-december|title=Stipe Miocic versus Junior dos Santos being discussed for December |publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Chuck Mindenhall|date=17 September 2014|access-date=17 September 2014}}</ref> Dos Santos won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Junior-dos-Santos-Denies-Upset-Bid-Decisions-Stipe-Miocic-in-UFC-on-Fox-13-Main-Event-78729|title=Junior dos Santos denies upset bid, decisions Stipe Miocic in UFC on Fox 13 Main Event|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Brian Knapp|date=13 December 2014|access-date=13 December 2014}}</ref> The performance earned both participants ''Fight of the Night'' honors.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web|url= http://www.mmamania.com/2014/12/13/7389041/ufc-on-fox-13-bonuses-junior-dos-santos-vs-stipe-miocic-fight-earns|title= UFC on Fox 13 bonuses: Junior dos Santos vs. Stipe Miocic fight earns $50K|publisher= mmamania.com|author= Gene Mrosko|date= 13 December 2014|access-date= 13 December 2014}}</ref>

After a year away from the sport, Dos Santos had the three-years-delayed fight with ] which took place on 19 December 2015 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/8/25/9207395/junior-dos-santos-vs-alistair-overeem-set-for-ufc-on-fox-17-in|title=Junior dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem set for UFC on FOX 17 in December |publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Luke Thomas|date=25 August 2014|access-date=25 August 2013}}</ref> He lost the bout by technical knockout in the second round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/12/19/10628342/ufc-on-fox-17-results-alistair-overeem-knocks-out-junior-dos-santos|title=UFC on FOX 17 results: Alistair Overeem knocks out Junior dos Santos|author=Dave Doyle|publisher=mmafighting.com|date=19 December 2015|access-date=19 December 2015}}</ref>

Dos Santos faced ] on 10 April 2016 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/02/ben-rothwell-vs-junior-dos-santos-headlines-ufc-fight-night-86-in-croatia|title=Ben Rothwell vs. Junior Dos Santos headlines UFC Fight Night 86 in Croatia|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|access-date=8 February 2016|date=8 February 2016}}</ref> He won the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/04/ufc-fight-night-86-results-ex-champ-junior-dos-santos-routs-ben-rothwell-for-shutout|title=UFC Fight Night 86 results: Ex-champ Junior Dos Santos routs Ben Rothwell for shutout|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=10 April 2016}}</ref>

Dos Santos was originally expected to face ] in a rematch on 19 February 2017 at ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/junior-dos-santos-vs-stefan-struve-rematch-headlines-ufc-fight-night-105-in-halifax|title=Junior Dos Santos vs. Stefan Struve rematch headlines UFC Fight Night 105 in Halifax|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=14 December 2016|access-date=14 December 2016}}</ref> However on 12 January, Struve pulled out due to a shoulder injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2017/1/12/14258154/stefan-struve-injured-out-of-ufc-halifax-bout-against-junior-dos-santos|title=Stefan Struve injured, out of UFC Halifax bout against JDS|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Shaun Al-Shatti|date=12 January 2017|access-date=12 January 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref name="DosSantosOut">{{cite news|url=http://sportv.globo.com/site/combate/noticia/2017/01/ufc-nao-consegue-substituto-para-struve-e-cigano-deixa-card-do-canada.html|title=UFC can not substitute for Struve, and Cigano leaves Canada card|publisher=sportv.globo.com|author=Raphael Marinho|access-date=18 January 2017|date=18 January 2017|language=pt}}</ref>

Dos Santos faced ] on 13 May 2017 at ] for the ].<ref name="Headliner">{{cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/05/ufc-211-results-stipe-miocic-tears-through-junior-dos-santos-for-first-round-tko|title=Stipe Miocic vs. Junior dos Santos 2 set for UFC 211|date=6 February 2017|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Ariel Helwani|access-date=6 February 2017}}</ref> He had previously beaten Miocic by unanimous decision at ] in 2014. Dos Santos lost the fight via TKO in the first round.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/05/ufc-211-results-stipe-miocic-tears-through-junior-dos-santos-for-first-round-tko|title=UFC 211 results: Stipe Miocic tears through Junior Dos Santos for first-round TKO|date=14 May 2017|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=14 May 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>

Dos Santos was expected to face ] on 9 September 2017 at ].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2017/6/28/15887982/junior-dos-santos-vs-francis-ngannou-official-for-ufc-215|title=Junior dos Santos vs. Francis Ngannou official for UFC 215|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Marc Raimondi|date=28 June 2017|access-date=28 June 2017}}</ref> However, on 18 August, Dos Santos was pulled from the match after being notified of a potential ] violation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2017/8/18/16171822/junior-dos-santos-pulled-from-ufc-215-due-to-potential-usada-violation|title=Junior dos Santos pulled from UFC 215 due to potential USADA violation|work=MMA Fighting|access-date=18 August 2017}}</ref> On 24 April 2018 Dos Santos was cleared of intentionally using of ] (PEDs) by USADA, after it was determined he had taken tainted supplements which contained ] from the ] in Brazil. He became eligible to compete on 24 April 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-ufc-heavyweight-junior-dos-santos-two-others-took-tainted-supplements-led-positive-tests-200326909.html|title=USADA: Junior dos Santos, two others, cleared of intentionally using PEDs|access-date=24 April 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

Dos Santos returned from his suspension and faced former WSOF Heavyweight Champion ] on 14 July 2018 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/23369762/junior-dos-santos-blagoy-ivanov-headline-ufc-fight-night-july-14|title=Sources: UFC schedules dos Santos-Ivanov fight|date=1 May 2018|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> He won the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2018/07/ufc-fight-night-133-boise-results-junior-dos-santos-tops-blagoy-ivanov-unanimous-decision|title=UFC Fight Night 133 results: Junior Dos Santos tops Blagoy Ivanov in five-rounder|date=15 July 2018|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=15 July 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

Dos Santos faced ] on 2 December 2018 at ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc-adelaide/junior-dos-santos-vs-tai-tuivasa-set-to-headline-ufc-adelaide/|title=Junior Dos Santos vs Tai Tuivasa set to headline UFC Adelaide|date=30 August 2018|work={{!}} BJPenn.com|access-date=31 August 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> He won the fight via technical knockout in round two.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lowkickmma.com/ufc-adelaide-results-junior-dos-santos-overwhelms-tai-tuivasa-with-strikes/|title=UFC Adelaide Results: Junior dos Santos Overwhelms Tai Tuivasa With Strikes|last=Straus|first=Mike|website=www.lowkickmma.com|date=2 December 2018|language=en-US|access-date=2 December 2018}}</ref>

Dos Santos faced ] in the main event of ] on 9 March 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/01/junior-dos-santos-vs-derrick-lewis-ufc-on-espn-plus-4-headliner-kansas/amp|title=Junior Dos Santos vs. Derrick Lewis targeted as UFC on ESPN+ 4 headliner in Kansas|work=mmajunkie.com|date=7 January 2019}}</ref> He won the fight via TKO in the second round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2019/3/9/18258229/ufc-fight-night-146-results-junior-dos-santos-finishes-derrick-lewis-in-back-and-forth-battle|title=UFC Fight Night 146 results: Junior dos Santos finishes Derrick Lewis in back-and-forth battle|last=Pearson|first=Andrew|date=2019-03-09|website=MMAmania.com|access-date=2019-03-10}}</ref> This fight earned him the ] award.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/03/ufc-wichita-bonuses-junior-dos-santos-derrick-lewis-beneil-dariush-niko-price|title=UFC Wichita bonuses: Junior Dos Santos, Derrick Lewis take $50,000 'Fight of Night'|date=2019-03-10|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2019-03-10}}</ref>

Dos Santos faced ] on 29 June 2019 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.com/2019/05/junior-dos-santos-francis-ngannou-headlines-ufc-on-espn-3|title=Junior Dos Santos vs. Francis Ngannou now headlines UFC on ESPN 3|last=Marrocco|first=Steven|date=2019-05-21|website=MMA Junkie|access-date=2019-05-21}}</ref> He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2019/06/29/ufc-minneapolis-results-francis-ngannou-kos-junior-dos-santos/|title=UFC Minneapolis Results: Francis Ngannou Quickly KOs Junior dos Santos|last=Evanoff|first=Josh|date=2019-06-29|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-30}}</ref>

Dos Santos was scheduled to face ] on 9 November 2019 at ].<ref name="MoscowHL">{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/09/ufc-moscow-junior-dos-santos-vs-alexander-volkov-headliner-booked|title=Junior Dos Santos vs. Alexander Volkov set to headline UFC on ESPN+ 21|date=2019-09-07|author=Nolan King|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2019-09-07}}</ref> However, Dos Santos was forced to pull out from the event due to a bacterial infection in his leg.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/10/22/20926520/junior-do-santos-hospitalized-ufc-moscow-fight-alexander-volkov-mma|title=Junior dos Santos hospitalized, out of UFC Moscow fight with Alexander Volkov|author=y Guilherme Cruz|date=2019-10-22|publisher=mmafighting.com|access-date=2019-10-22}}</ref>

As the first bout of his new eight-fight contract, Dos Santos faced ] on 25 January 2020 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/curtis-blaydes-battle-junior-dos-santos-ufc-raleigh-heavyweight-frankie-sandhagen|title=Curtis Blaydes To Battle Junior Dos Santos At UFC Raleigh|website=UFC|date=13 November 2019|language=en|access-date=2019-11-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/1/31/21115272/junior-dos-santos-curtis-blaydes-ufc-raleigh|title=Junior dos Santos disagrees with coaches who advise rest, targets May return|author=Guilherme Cruz|publisher=mmafighting.com|date=31 January 2020}}</ref> He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/01/25/curtis-blaydes-stops-junior-dos-santos-in-second/|title=UFC Raleigh Results: Curtis Blaydes Stops Junior Dos Santos in Second|last=McClory|first=Mike|date=2020-01-25|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-26}}</ref>

Dos Santos faced ] on 15 August 2020 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/6/12/21289428/junior-dos-santos-jairzinho-rozenstruik-ufc-252|title=Junior dos Santos vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik agreed for UFC 252|website=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz and Damon Martin|date=2020-06-12|access-date=2020-06-12}}</ref> He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vreeland|first=Daniel|date=2020-08-15|title=UFC 252 Results: Jairzinho Rozenstruik Waits, Tags dos Santos|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/08/15/ufc-252-results-jairzinho-rozenstruik-waits-tags-dos-santos/|access-date=2020-08-16|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}</ref>

Dos Santos faced ] on 12 December 2020 at ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2020/10/28/21537775/junior-dos-santos-vs-ciyrl-gane-added-to-ufc-256-fight-card|title=Junior dos Santos vs. Ciryl Gane added to UFC 256 fight card|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Mike Heck and Guilherme Cruz|date=2020-10-28|access-date=2020-10-28}}</ref> He lost the fight via technical knockout in the second round.<ref>{{cite web|last=Doherty|first=Dan|date=2020-12-12|title=UFC 256 Results: Ciryl Gane Stays Undefeated, Stops Junior dos Santos|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2020/12/12/ufc-256-results-ciryl-gane/|access-date=2020-12-13|website=Cageside Press|language=en-US}}</ref>

On 3 March 2021, it was announced that Dos Santos had been released from the UFC.<ref>{{cite web|last=Martin|first=Damon|date=2021-03-03|title=Former heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos released from the UFC|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/3/3/22312428/former-heavyweight-champion-junior-dos-santos-released-from-the-ufc|access-date=2021-03-04|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}}</ref>

=== Eagle Fighting Championship ===
Dos Santos made his Eagle FC debut against ] on 20 May 2022 at ].<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-03-09 |title=Junior dos Santos books May 20 Eagle FC debut |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/33462769/junior-dos-santos-former-ufc-heavyweight-champion-set-eagle-fc-debut-20 |access-date=2022-03-10 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Eagle FC 47 results: Junior Dos Santos' shoulder pops out, causing TKO loss to Yorgan De Castro|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/05/eagle-fc-27-results-junior-dos-santos-shoulder-pops-out-resulting-in-tko-lossto-jorgan-de-castro|access-date=21 May 2022|language=en}}{{Dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

=== Gamebred FC ===
Dos Santos fought in a rematch against ] in a bare knuckle MMA fight on September 8, 2023, at Gamebred Fighting Championship 5.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Blackett |first1=Todd |title=Fabricio Werdum And Junior Dos Santos Set For Bare Knuckle MMA Rematch |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/fabricio-werdum-and-junior-dos-santos-set-for-bare-knuckle-mma-rematch/ |website=Jitsmagazine |date=22 June 2023 |access-date=22 June 2023}}</ref> He won the fight by split decision.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fabricio Werdum Loses Bare Knuckle MMA Fight With Junior Dos Santos |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/fabricio-werdum-loses-bare-knuckle-mma-fight-with-junior-dos-santos/ |website=Jitsmagazine |date=9 September 2023 |access-date=9 September 2023}}</ref>

Dos Santos faced ] for the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight championship in the main event of ''Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7'' on March 2, 2024.<ref name="gamebredmmabk">{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-news-11-former-fighters-gamebred-bareknuckle-jorge-masvidal|title=11 former UFC fighters set to compete at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Nolan King|date=2024-02-15|access-date=2024-02-27}}</ref> Dos Santos won the championship by knockout in the second round.<ref name="GBMMA7">{{Cite web|url=https://cagesidepress.com/2024/03/02/gamebred-bareknuckle-mma-7-dos-santos-vs-belcher-results/|title=Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7: Dos Santos vs. Belcher Results|publisher=cagesidepress.com|author=Staff|date=2024-03-02|access-date=2024-03-02}}</ref>

====Global Fight League====
On December 11, 2024, it was announced that des Santos was signed by ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-11 |title=Global Fight League announces launch, roster includes giant list of former UFC fighters |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/12/global-fight-league-launch-ufc-woodley-silva-werdum |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Professional wrestling career==
===All Elite Wrestling (2021)===
In the summer of 2021, dos Santos began making appearances for the professional wrestling promotion ], backing ] head Dan Lambert along with ATT affiliated fighters ], ], ], Dalton Rosta, and ]. They formed an alliance with ] and ], 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 '']'', it was announced that Dos Santos would be making his professional wrestling debut on the 15 October edition of '']'', teaming with Sky and Page to take on ], ] and ] (]) in a trios match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/platform/amp/2021/10/7/22714323/video-junior-dos-santos-all-elite-wrestling-aew-set-for-pro-wrestling-debut-next-week-jorge-masvidal|title=Video: Junior dos Santos gets physical with champion in AEW segment, set for pro wrestling debut next week|author=Alexander K. Lee|date=7 October 2021|work=MMAFighting.com|access-date=7 October 2021}}</ref>


==Championships and accomplishments== ==Championships and accomplishments==
*]
**] (2 Times)


===Mixed Martial Arts===
*FIGHT! Magazine
*''']'''
**2008 Upset of the Year <small>vs. Fabricio Werdum</small>
**] (One time)
**One successful title defense
**] (Three times) {{small| vs. ], ] and ]}}
**] (Three times) {{small| vs. ], ] and ]}}<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto1"/>
**] (9)<ref name="ufchw">{{cite web|url=http://statleaders.ufc.com/?fighter_status=0&weight_class=HW|title=UFC Stats - Heavyweight Division|date=December 7, 2024|author=UFC.com|publisher=ufc.com}}</ref>
**] (14)<ref name="ufchw"/>
**Tied (] & ]) for second most knockouts in UFC Heavyweight division history (10)<ref name="ufchw"/>
**Fifth most bouts in UFC Heavyweight division history (23)<ref name="ufchw"/>
**Fourth most wins in UFC Heavyweight division history (15)<ref name="ufchw"/>
**Third most total fight time in UFC Heavyweight division history (4:07:01)<ref name="ufchw"/>
**Third most significant strikes landed in UFC Heavyweight division history (1109)<ref name="ufchw"/>
**Sixth most total strikes landed in UFC Heavyweight division history (1217)<ref name="ufchw"/>
**Highest takedown defense percentage in UFC Heavyweight division history (81.8)<ref name="ufchw"/>
**Tied for fourth ] (5)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-vegas-97-post-event-facts-jessica-andrade-makes-history-defeat|title=UFC Fight Night 242 post-event facts: Jessica Andrade makes history in Fight of the Night defeat|publisher=mmajunkie.usatoday.com|author=Mike Bohn|date=2024-09-08|access-date=2024-09-08}}</ref>
**'''UFC.com Awards'''
***2008: Ranked #5 Newcomer of the Year<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/highly-unofficial-2008-ufc-awards-newcomers|title=The Highly Unofficial 2008 UFC Awards - The Newcomers|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=December 28, 2008|work=]}}</ref>. Ranked #2 Knockout of the Year {{small|vs. ]}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/highly-unofficial-2008-ufc-awards-knockouts|title=The Highly Unofficial 2008 UFC Awards - The Knockouts|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=December 28, 2008|work=]}}</ref> & Ranked #2 Upset of the Year {{small|vs. ]}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/highly-unofficial-2008-ufc-awards-upsets|title=The Highly Unofficial 2008 UFC Awards - The Upsets|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=December 28, 2008|work=]}}</ref>
***2010: Ranked #6 Fighter of the Year<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/ten-best-fighters-2010|title=Ten Best – The Fighters of 2010|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=December 19, 2010|work=]}}</ref>
***2011: Ranked #2 Fighter of the Year<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/ten-best-2011-fighter-year|title=Ten Best - 2011 Fighter of the Year|date=January 9, 2012|author=Thomas Gerbasi|work=]}}</ref> & Ranked #9 Knockout of the Year {{small|vs. ] 1}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/ten-best-2011-knockout-year|title=Ten Best - 2011 Knockout of the Year|date=January 6, 2012|author=Thomas Gerbasi|work=]}}</ref>
***2013 Half-Year Awards: Best Knockout of the 1HY<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/unofficial-half-year-awards-knockouts-2013|title=Unofficial Half-Year Awards - The Knockouts of 2013|date=June 21, 2013|author=Thomas Gerbasi|work=]}}</ref> & Ranked #5 Knockout of the Year {{small|vs. ]}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/ten-best-knockouts-2013|title=Ten Best: The Knockouts of 2013|author=Thomas Gerbasi|date=January 3, 2014|work=]}}</ref>
***2014: Ranked #3 Fight of the Year {{small|vs. ] 1}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ufc.com/news/top-ten-fights-2014|title=Top Ten - The Fights of 2014|date=December 26, 2014|author=Thomas Gerbasi|work=]}}</ref>
*'''Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA'''
**Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Champion (Inaugural; One time; current)
*'''FIGHT! Magazine'''
**Upset of the Year (2008) {{small|vs. ]}}
*''']'''
**2014 December Fight of the Month {{small|vs. ]}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/12/mmajunkies-fight-of-the-month-for-december-2014|title=MMAjunkie's 'Fight of the Month' for December 2014|date=25 December 2014|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=14 July 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
*''']'''
**2010 All-Violence Third Team<ref>{{cite web|last=Breen |first=Jordan |url=http://m.sherdog.com/news/articles/4/Sherdogs-2010-AllViolence-Team-29293 |title=Third Team |publisher=M.sherdog.com |date=10 January 2011 |access-date=12 August 2014}}</ref>
**2011 All-Violence First Team<ref>{{cite web|last=Breen |first=Jordan |url=http://m.sherdog.com/news/articles/2/Sherdogcoms-2011-AllViolence-Team-38799 |title=First Team |publisher=M.sherdog.com |date=6 January 2012 |access-date=12 August 2014}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Dos Santos has stated that ] is his hero.<ref name="UFCPRO">{{cite web |url=http://www.ufc.com/fighter/Junior-Dos-Santos |title=Junior Dos Santos – Official UFC® Profile |publisher=UFC.com |access-date=10 March 2012}}</ref>

He is a ].<ref name="FMROAD">{{cite web |url=http://www.fightmagazine.com/mma-magazine/mma-article.asp?aid=697&issid=46 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123011216/http://www.fightmagazine.com/mma-magazine/mma-article.asp?aid=697&issid=46 |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 January 2013 |title=Gypsy Road |last=Mindenhall |first=Chuck |publisher=FightMagazine.com |date=March 2011 |access-date=10 March 2012 }}</ref>

In January 2013, he announced that he had divorced his wife of ten years before competing at ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvg.globo.com/programas/caldeirao-do-huck/so-na-web/noticia/2013/01/recem-separado-junior-cigano-revela-estou-doido-para-ver-a-familia.html |language=pt |title=Recém-separado, Junior Cigano revela: 'Estou doido para ver a família' |access-date=22 January 2013}}</ref>

On 9 March 2017, Dos Santos's first child, a boy, was born.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=840024390536441857 |user=junior_cigano |title=Ele chegou / he's here |author=Junior Dos Santos |date=March 9, 2017 |access-date=August 28, 2022}}</ref> Dos Santos's second child, a daughter, was named after his mother.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

== Filmography ==
Dos Santos featured as one of the contestants for ], the Brazilian version of ], which started on 25 August 2019 at Globo's "Domingão do Faustão".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/8/18/20811577/junior-dos-santos-dancing-with-the-stars-ufc|title=Junior dos Santos joins Brazil's 'Dancing with the Stars' cast|last=Cruz|first=Guilherme|date=2019-08-18|website=MMA Fighting|access-date=2019-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2019/09/dancing-with-the-stars-junior-dos-santos-debut-video|title=Junior Dos Santos' debut on 'Dancing With The Stars' was perfect in every way|date=2019-09-03|website=MMA Junkie|language=en|access-date=2019-09-04}}</ref> Dos Santos was eliminated from the competition on 1 December 2019, placing fifth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/12/2/20991436/ufc-heavyweight-junior-dos-santos-eliminated-dancing-with-the-stars-mma|title=Junior dos Santos eliminated from Brazil's Dancing With The Stars|date=2 December 2019|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Guilherme Cruz}}</ref>


==Mixed martial arts record== ==Mixed martial arts record==
<!-- ALL THE HIDDEN SPANS ARE FOR PROPER TABLE SORTING. PLEASE DO NOT EDIT THEM UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. -->
{{MMArecordbox {{MMArecordbox
|wins=12 |draws=
|losses=1 |nc=
|ko-wins=8 |ko-wins=16
|ko-losses=0 |sub-wins=1
|sub-wins=3 |dec-wins=6
|ko-losses=8
|sub-losses=1 |sub-losses=1
|dec-wins=1 |dec-losses=1
|dec-losses=0 |dq-wins=
|dq-losses=
|other-wins=
|other-losses=
}} }}
{{MMA record start}}
{| style='font-size: 85%; text-align: left;' class='wikitable sortable' width='99%'
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win
!style='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3'|Result
|align=center|23–10
!style='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3'|Record
|]
!style='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3'|'''Opponent'''
|TKO (punches)
!style='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3'|'''Method'''
|Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7
!style='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3'|'''Event'''
|{{dts|format=dmy|2024|March|2}}
!style='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3'|'''Date'''
|align=center|2
!style='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3'|'''Round'''
|align=center|4:39
!style='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3'|'''Time'''
|], United States
!style='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3'|'''Location'''
|{{small|Bare Knuckle MMA. Won the inaugural Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Championship.}}
!style='border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3'|'''Notes'''
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|22–10
|]
|Decision (split)
|Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 5
|{{dts|format=dmy|2023|September|8}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|], United States
|{{small|Bare Knuckle MMA.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|21–10
|]
|TKO (shoulder injury)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2022|May|20}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|0:35
|], United States
| |
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|21–9
|]
|TKO (elbow)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2020|December|12}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:34
|], United States
| |
|-
|{{flagicon|USA}} ]
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|21–8
|]
|TKO (punches)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2020|August|15}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:47
|], United States
| |
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|21–7
|]
|TKO (punches)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2020|January|25}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:06
|], United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|21–6
|]
|TKO (punches)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2019|June|29}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:11
|], United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|21–5
|]
|TKO (punches)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2019|March|9}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|1:58
|], United States
|{{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|20–5
|]
|TKO (punches)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2018|December|2}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:30
|], Australia
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|19–5
|]
|Decision (unanimous)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2018|July|14}}
|align=center|5
|align=center|5:00
|], United States
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|18–5
|]
|TKO (punches)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2017|May|13}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|2:22
|], United States
|{{small|For the ].}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|18–4
|]
|Decision (unanimous)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2016|April|10}}
|align=center|5
|align=center|5:00
|], Croatia
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|17–4
|]
|TKO (punches)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2015|December|19}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|4:43
|], United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|17–3
|]
|Decision (unanimous)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2014|December|13}}
|align=center|5
|align=center|5:00
|], ], United States
|{{small|Fight of the Night.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|16–3
|]
|TKO (slam and punch)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2013|October|19}}
|align=center|5
|align=center|3:09
|], United States
|{{small|For the ].}}
|-
|{{yes2}} Win
|align=center|16–2
|]
|KO (spinning hook kick)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2013|May|25}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|4:18
|], United States
|{{small|] title eliminator. Fight of the Night.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|15–2
|]
|Decision (unanimous)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2012|December|29}}
|align=center|5
|align=center|5:00
|], United States
|{{small|Lost the ].}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|15–1
|]
|TKO (punches)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2012|May|26}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:04
|], United States
|{{small|Defended the ].}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|14–1
|]
|KO (punches)
|]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2011|November|12}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:04
|], United States
|{{small|Won the ]. Knockout of the Night.}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|13–1
|]
|Decision (unanimous)
|] |]
|{{dts|link=off|June 11, 2011||}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2011|June|11}}
|align=center| |align=center|3
|align=center| |align=center|5:00
|], ] |], Canada
|<small>To determine #1 contender for ] |{{small|] title eliminator.}}
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win |{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|12-1 |align=center|12–1
|{{flagicon|USA}} ] |]
|Decision (Unanimous) |Decision (unanimous)
|] |]
|{{dts|link=off|2010|August|7}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2010|August|7}}
|align=center|3 |align=center|3
|align=center|5:00 |align=center|5:00
|{{flagicon|USA}} ] |], United States
|
|<small>Became #1 contender for the ] <ref name="OnDeck">{{cite web| url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/20207/ufc-117-winner-junior-dos-santos-gets-his-heavyweight-title-shot.mma| title=UFC 117 winner Junior dos Santos gets his heavyweight title shot|publisher=MMAJunkie.com|date=August 7, 2010}}</ref>
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win |{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|11-1 |align=center|11–1
|{{flagicon|BRA}} ] |]
|KO (Punches) |TKO (punches)
|] |]
|{{dts|link=off|2010|March|21}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2010|March|21}}
|align=center|1 |align=center|1
|align=center|3:53 |align=center|3:53
|{{flagicon|USA}} ] |], United States
|<small>Knockout of the Night |{{small|Knockout of the Night.}}
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win |{{yes2}}Win
|align="center"|10–1 |align=center|10–1
|{{flagicon|Netherlands}} ] |]
|TKO (Strikes) |TKO (punches)
|] |]
|{{dts|link=off|2010|January|2}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2010|January|2}}
|align="center"|1 |align=center|1
|align="center"|2:07 |align=center|2:07
|{{flagicon|USA}} ] |], United States
| |
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win |{{yes2}}Win
|align="center"|9–1 |align=center|9–1
|{{flagicon|Croatia}} ] |]
|TKO (submission to punch)
|Verbal Submission (Eye Injury)
|] |]
|{{dts|link=off|2009|September|19}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2009|September|19}}
|align="center"|3 |align=center|3
|align="center"|2:00 |align=center|2:00
|{{flagicon|USA}} ], ] |], United States
|
|<small> Filipovic suffered a broken orbital bone
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win |{{yes2}}Win
|align="center"|8-1 |align=center|8–1
|{{flagicon|Netherlands}} ] |]
|TKO (Punches) |TKO (punches)
|] |]
|{{dts|link=off|2009|February|21}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2009|February|21}}
|align='center'|1 |align=center|1
|align='center'|0:54 |align=center|0:54
|{{flagicon|ENG}} ] |], England
| |
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win |{{yes2}}Win
|align="center"|7–1 |align=center|7–1
|{{flagicon|BRA}} ] |]
|KO (Punches) |TKO (punches)
|] |]
|{{dts|link=off|2008|October|25}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2008|October|25}}
|align='center'|1 |align=center|1
|align='center'|1:20 |align=center|1:20
|{{flagicon|USA}} ], ] |], United States
|<small>Knockout of the Night |{{small|Knockout of the Night.}}
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win |{{yes2}}Win
|align="center"|6–1 |align=center|6–1
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} ] |Geronimo dos Santos
|TKO (Cut) |TKO (doctor stoppage)
|DF 3 – Demo Fight 3 |Demo Fight 3
|{{dts|link=off|2008|May|24}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2008|May|24}}
|align='center'|1 |align=center|1
|align='center'|N/A |align=center|0:44
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} ] |], Brazil
|{{small|Return to Heavyweight.}}
|
|- |-
|{{no2}}Loss |{{no2}}Loss
|align="center"|5–1 |align=center|5–1
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} ] |Joaquim Ferreira
|Submission (Armbar) |Submission (armbar)
|MTL Final |MTL: Final
|{{dts|link=off|2007|November|10}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2007|November|10|}}
|align='center'|1 |align=center|1
|align='center'|1:13 |align=center|1:13
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} ] |], Brazil
| |
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win |{{yes2}}Win
|align="center"|5–0 |align=center|5–0
|Jair Gonçalves
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} Jair Goncalves
|KO (Soccer Kick) |TKO (punches)
|MTL – Mo Team League 2 |Mo Team League 2
|{{dts|link=off|2007|September|29}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2007|September|29|}}
|align='center'|1 |align=center|1
|align='center'|2:52 |align=center|2:52
|{{flagicon|BRA}} ] |], Brazil
| |
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win |{{yes2}}Win
|align="center"|4–0 |align=center|4–0
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} ] |Joaquim Ferreira
|TKO (retirement)
|Submission (Exhaustion)
|XFC Brazil |XFC: Brazil
|{{dts|link=off|2007|April|29}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2007|April|29}}
|align='center'|1 |align=center|1
|align='center'|5:00 |align=center|5:00
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} ] |], Brazil
| |
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win |{{yes2}}Win
|align="center"|3–0 |align=center|3–0
|Edson Ramos
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} Edson Paredão
|TKO (Cut) |TKO (doctor stoppage)
|XFC Brazil |XFC: Brazil
|{{dts|link=off|2007|April|29}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2007|April|29}}
|align='center'|1 |align=center|1
|align='center'|8:46 |align=center|8:45
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} ] |], Brazil
|{{small|Light Heavyweight debut.}}
|
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win |{{yes2}}Win
|align="center"|2–0 |align=center|2–0
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} ] |]
|Submission (Guillotine Choke) |Submission (guillotine choke)
|MF 5 – Minotauro Fights 5 |Minotauro Fights 5
|{{dts|link=off|2006|December|9}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2006|December|9}}
|align='center'|1 |align=center|1
|align='center'|0:50 |align=center|0:50
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} ], ], ] |], Brazil
| |
|- |-
|{{yes2}}Win |{{yes2}}Win
|align="center"|1–0 |align=center|1–0
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} Jailson Silva Santos |Jailson Silva Santos
|TKO (Punches) |KO (soccer kick)
|DF 1 – Demo Fight 1 |Demo Fight 1
|{{dts|link=off|2006|July|16}} |{{dts|format=dmy|2006|July|16}}
|align='center'|1 |align=center|1
|align='center'|N/A |align=center|2:58
|{{flagicon|Brazil}} ] |], Brazil
| |
{{end}}
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Junior-dos-Santos-17272|title=Junior|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2 December 2018}}</ref>

== Pay-per-view bouts ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!No.
!Event
!Fight
!Date
!Venue
!City
!PPV Buys
|-
|1.
|]
|'''dos Santos vs. Cro Cop''' (co)
|September 9, 2009
|]
|], U.S
|375,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-103-franklin-vs-belfort |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|2.
|]
|'''dos Santos vs. Carwin'''
|June 11, 2011
|]
|], Canada
|325,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 131: Carwin vs. Dos Santos {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/ufc-131-lesnar-vs-dos-santos |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|3.
|]
|'''dos Santos vs. Mir'''
|May 26, 2012
|]
|], U.S
|560,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/12168-ufc-146 |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|4.
|]
|'''dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2'''
|December 29, 2012
|]
|], U.S
|590,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 155: Dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2 {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/15171-ufc-155-dos-santos-vs-velasquez-2 |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|5.
|]
|'''dos Santos vs. Hunt''' (co)
|May 25, 2013
|]
|], U.S
|380,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 160: Velasquez vs. Silva 2 {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/17601-ufc |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|6.
|]
|'''Velasquez vs. dos Santos 3'''
|October 19, 2013
|]
|], U.S
|330,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 166: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos 3 {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/19525-ufc-166-velasquez-vs-dos-santos-3 |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|- |-
|7.
|]
|'''Miocic vs. dos Santos 2'''
|May 13, 2017
|]
|], U.S
|300,000<ref>{{Cite web |title=UFC 211: Miocic vs. Dos Santos 2 {{!}} MMA Event |url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/43945-ufc-211 |access-date=2022-09-09 |website=Tapology |language=en}}</ref>
|} |}


==See also== ==See also==
* ] * ]


== References == ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{reflist}}


== External links == ==External links==
* {{Official|http://www.juniordossantos.com.br}} * {{Official website|http://www.juniordossantos.com.br}}
* {{Sherdog|17272|Junior dos Santos}}
*
* {{UFC|junior-dos-santos|Junior Dos Santos}}
*

*
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|ach}}
{{s-bef|before=]}}
{{s-ttl|title=16th ]|years=12 November 2011 – 29 December 2012}}
{{s-aft|after=]}}
{{s-end}}
{{UFC Heavyweight Championship}}

{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
| NAME = Santos, Junior Dos
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = September 12, 1984
| PLACE OF BIRTH = ], ], ]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Santos, Junior Dos}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Santos, Junior Dos}}
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
] ]
] ]
]

]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 14:46, 27 December 2024

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
BornJunior dos Santos
(1984-01-30) 30 January 1984 (age 40)
Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Other namesCigano
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight247 lb (112 kg; 17 st 9 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight (2006, 2008−present)
Light Heavyweight (2007)
Reach77.0 in (196 cm)
Fighting out ofSalvador, Bahia, Brazil
TeamAmerican Top Team
TrainerBoxing & MMA: Luiz Dorea
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Yuri Carlton
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Yuri Carlton
Years active2006–present (mixed martial arts)
2021 (professional wrestling)
Mixed martial arts record
Total33
Wins23
By knockout16
By submission1
By decision6
Losses10
By knockout8
By submission1
By decision1
Websitejuniordossantos.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

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. 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. 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.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

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)

Debut (2008–2010)

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

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.

On 19 September 2009, Dos Santos continued his winning streak and defeated Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 103. 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.

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. Instead, on 2 January 2010, Dos Santos fought Gilbert Yvel, winning the fight via TKO at two minutes and seven seconds of the first round.

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

Heavyweight title contender (2010–2011)

Dos Santos faced Roy Nelson on 7 August 2010, at UFC 117. The fight saw Dos Santos use a variety of strikes and, for the first time, a successful takedown. Despite Dos Santos's striking ability, Nelson was able to stay in the fight, resulting in the fight going to decision. Dos Santos won the fight via unanimous decision. 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.

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. They were scheduled to face each other on 11 June 2011, at UFC 131, but Lesnar pulled out of the bout due to a recurrence of diverticulitis and was replaced by Shane Carwin. Dos Santos dominated Carwin and won the fight via unanimous decision, relying predominantly on his boxing skills, but showed more variety in his game by landing a couple of kicks and completing two takedowns in the third round.

UFC Heavyweight Champion (2011–2012)

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

Dos Santos was scheduled to face Alistair Overeem on 26 May 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena at UFC 146. On 4 April 2012, the Nevada State Athletic Commission announced Overeem had failed a pre-fight drug test. Consequently, Overeem's request for a license was denied. On 20 April 2012, Dana White the UFC president announced Frank Mir would be replacing Overeem. 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. 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. 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.

Back into contention (2013–2021)

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

A third fight with Cain Velasquez took place on 19 October 2013 at UFC 166. 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.

Dos Santos was expected to face Stipe Miocic on 24 May 2014 at UFC 173. 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. However, on 5 May, it was announced that Dos Santos pulled out of the fight citing a hand injury and he was replaced by Fábio Maldonado.

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

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. He lost the bout by technical knockout in the second round.

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

Dos Santos was originally expected to face Stefan Struve in a rematch on 19 February 2017 at UFC Fight Night 105. However on 12 January, Struve pulled out due to a shoulder injury. 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.

Dos Santos faced Stipe Miocic on 13 May 2017 at UFC 211 for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. 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.

Dos Santos was expected to face Francis Ngannou on 9 September 2017 at UFC 215. However, on 18 August, Dos Santos was pulled from the match after being notified of a potential USADA violation. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eagle Fighting Championship

Dos Santos made his Eagle FC debut against Yorgan De Castro on 20 May 2022 at Eagle FC 47. 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.

Gamebred FC

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

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. Dos Santos won the championship by knockout in the second round.

Global Fight League

On December 11, 2024, it was announced that des Santos was signed by Global Fight League.

Professional wrestling career

All Elite Wrestling (2021)

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.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed Martial Arts

Personal life

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

He is a Roman Catholic.

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

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

Filmography

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". Dos Santos was eliminated from the competition on 1 December 2019, placing fifth.

Mixed martial arts record

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

Pay-per-view bouts

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
2. UFC 131 dos Santos vs. Carwin June 11, 2011 Rogers Arena Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada 325,000
3. UFC 146 dos Santos vs. Mir May 26, 2012 MGM Grand Garden Arena Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S 560,000
4. UFC 155 dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2 December 29, 2012 MGM Grand Garden Arena Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S 590,000
5. UFC 160 dos Santos vs. Hunt (co) May 25, 2013 MGM Grand Garden Arena Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S 380,000
6. UFC 166 Velasquez vs. dos Santos 3 October 19, 2013 Toyota Center Houston, Texas, U.S 330,000
7. UFC 211 Miocic vs. dos Santos 2 May 13, 2017 American Airlines Center Dallas, Texas, U.S 300,000

See also

References

  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.com. 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. ^ 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.com. 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.
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External links

Achievements
Preceded byCain Velasquez 16th UFC Heavyweight Champion
12 November 2011 – 29 December 2012
Succeeded byCain Velasquez
UFC Heavyweight Champions
Categories: