Necessity forced the hand of current Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight prospect Felipe dos Santos, who chose martial arts as a means to escape his circumstances.
“I was inspired to train due to the reality of my hometown,” he told Sherdog.com. “I lived in a dangerous neighborhood. I needed to occupy my mind. My first contact with the sport was in practicing capoeira. From there, I started sanda, also known as Chinese boxing. Then I went to muay thai, but it all started with capoeira.”
Dos Santos, 23, now appears to have a bright future at 125 pounds as he prepares for his latest test—an intriguing clash with Andre Lima in a UFC Fight Night 242 prelim this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Lima holds a perfect 9-0 record with five finishes. He last competed at UFC 302, where he was awarded a split decision against Mitch Raposo on June 1.
“We have similar games,” dos Santos said. “He likes to strike, and he’s good everywhere. The UFC put us up against each other because they want to learn more about what I bring. Since he’s also new to the promotion, I think they want to compare our performances. I’ve felt very happy since we were booked. I know he’s tough and I fully respect him, but I’ve been working hard for a very long time.
“Wherever the fight goes, I’ll be ready,” he added. “We’ve studied Andre’s game. I don’t see any problems, no matter where the fight goes.”
Dos Santos hones his skills at the Chute Boxe affiliate fronted by Diego Lima in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The respected academy has produced a number of high-level mixed martial artists, most notably former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. It has proven to be an invaluable resource for dos Santos.
“A bunch of my teammates are helping me get ready,” he said. “Every day, we learn something new. Lately, Chute Boxe has had high visibility in both our highs and lows. We are aware of where we need to improve. We give our all during our daily training sessions. My strategy is simply to be ready in every area and get my arm raised in the end.
“It’s a difficult process,” dos Santos added. “It takes a long time. We fight for that every day. I have a lot to show in the UFC. Every day, I’m calmer yet more aggressive. Every day, my technique improves. I’m very happy for it all. I believe this will bring me to the top, to the belt. I have a lot of work ahead of me. I believe that everything takes time.”
Dos Santos made his Octagon debut on short notice a little less than a year ago, losing a unanimous decision to former Rizin Fighting Federation champion Manel Kape at UFC 293. He rebounded on Feb. 24, when he outpointed Victor Altamirano to a split verdict at UFC Fight Night 237. Just 10 pro fights into his career, dos Santos recognizes that time remains on his side.
“I know I’m young, so I wish to learn as much as I can inside the organization,” he said. “I plan to give my best, keep renewing my contract and reach my life’s dreams, such as buying my own home. Today, I’m 100% dedicated to training. I do nothing else. In the UFC, I want to showcase my work. With every day, I gain more knowledge and experience. I’ve seen several fighters go to the UFC and miss out on their opportunity due to a lack of dedication or having a negative mindset. My plan is to have great performances in all my UFC bouts. Ultimately, I’d like to be champion.”
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