Photo: ESPN
Tale of the Tape
Age
31
Height
5' 7"
Reach
67"
Stance
Orthodox
Country
Brazil
Key Stats
83%
Win Rate
60%
Finish Rate
7
KO/TKO Wins
2
Submission Wins
0
Title Fight Wins
18
Pro Fights
Advanced Stats
Color = level vs. divisionStriking
Grappling
Career
Win Methods
Nobody hands you anything at featherweight. Daniel Santos — "Willycat" to fight fans — has built a 14-3 record the hard way, one fight at a time since leaving Brazil's regional scene.
The game is built on grappling: 3 takedowns per 15 minutes, and opponents spend rounds defending instead of fighting. 2 submission wins say what happens when the defense slips.
He's coming off a loss to Dooho Choi. Careers aren't defined by the fall, though; they're defined by the rebound.
Recent Fights
Dooho Choi
KO/TKO (Punch) R2 · May 17, 2026
UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Costa
JooSang Yoo
KO/TKO (Punch) R2 · Oct 5, 2025
UFC 320: Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2
JeongYeong Lee
Decision - Unanimous · May 10, 2025
UFC 315: Muhammad vs. Della Maddalena
Johnny Munoz
Decision - Unanimous · Jun 3, 2023
UFC Fight Night: Kara-France vs. Albazi
John Castaneda
KO/TKO (Knee) R2 · Oct 1, 2022
UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan
Latest / Daniel Santos News
Thiago Santos, Knee Wrecked by Jon Jones, Says Don't Ban Oblique Kicks
The man who fought Jon Jones on two bad knees at UFC 239 breaks with Dana White and CSAC's Andy Foster on banning the strike that changed his career.
Sep 26, 2026
Yousri Belgaroui Is Middleweight's Boogeyman — And He Knows It
Two UFC starts, two finishes, and a growing reputation. The Dutch striker faces late replacement Djorden Santos at Noche UFC on Saturday.
Sep 9, 2026
Nathaniel Wood Draws Debuting Pavel Andrusca in Paris Reshuffle
Illness rules Mairon Santos out four days before UFC Paris. His replacement arrives 8-0 with seven finishes, five in round one.
Sep 1, 2026