Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Zaleski has been a professional fighter since 2009.
You can follow Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos’ net worth, fight purses, biography, earnings, personal details, girlfriend, fight records, career stats, and more here.
About Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos |
| Nickname | Capoeira |
| Birth Date | November 12, 1986 |
| Height | 5′ 11″ (180 cm) |
| Weight | 170 lbs (77 kg) |
| Birthplace | Francisco Beltrão, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Turned Professional | 2009 |
| Current Net Worth | $1 million |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship |
| Girlfriend | Tatiane |
| Instagram Profile | @elizeucapoeira |
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos was born on November 12, 1986, in Francisco Beltrão, a small town in Paraná, Brazil.
Growing up, he faced challenges, including his parents’ separation at a young age, which led him to move and live with his father, Irineu dos Santos, on a farm.
Early Career
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos began his professional MMA career on November 8, 2009. Before joining the UFC, he fought in various promotions, including Jungle Fight.
He gained early recognition by winning the Jungle Fight Welterweight Championship, a title he successfully defended once.
Professional Career
Zaleski made his UFC debut on May 30, 2015, at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves, where he faced Nicolas Dalby. Despite outstriking Dalby, he lost the fight via split decision due to Dalby’s successful takedowns.
However, Zaleski quickly established himself as a formidable fighter in the UFC. Throughout his career, he has achieved 14 wins by knockout and 3 by submission.
Some of his notable victories in the UFC include wins over Sean Strickland, whom he defeated with a spinning back kick knockout at UFC 224, and Abubakar Nurmagomedov, whom he defeated via split decision in June 2023.
He holds a professional MMA record of 24 wins, 8 losses, and 1 draw, with a UFC record of 10 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw.
Girlfriend
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is in a long-term relationship with a woman named Tatiane. They have been together for several years, and she is described as the “love of his life.”
They have been together for several years and share a son named Joaquim. In 2023, Zaleski expressed his excitement about the upcoming birth of their daughter, which was expected on June 10.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos’s Net Worth Details
Elizeu Zaleski’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025. This figure is based on his fight purses, sponsorships, and other earnings from his professional MMA career.
Contract
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is currently under contract with the UFC, where he continues to compete in the welterweight division.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Purse | Win Bonus | Event | Year |
| Nicolas Dalby | $10k | – | UFC Fight Night 67 | 2015 |
| Omari Akhmedov | $14k | $14k | UFC on Fox 19 | 2016 |
| Keita Nakamura | $18k | $18k | UFC Fight Night 96 | 2016 |
| Lyman Good | $24k | $24k | UFC on Fox 25 | 2017 |
| Max Griffin | $28k | $28k | UFC Fight Night 119 | 2017 |
| Sean Strickland | $30k | $30k | UFC 224 | 2018 |
| Curtis Millender | $38k | $38k | UFC Fight Night 146 | 2019 |
| Randy Brown | $85k | – | UFC 302 | 2024 |
Fight Records
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date |
| Loss | 24-8-1 | Randy Brown | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 302 | June 1, 2024 |
| Draw | 24-7-1 | Rinat Fakhretdinov | Draw (Majority) | UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis | November 4, 2023 |
| Win | 24-7-0 | Abubakar Nurmagomedov | Decision (Split) | UFC on ESPN 46 | June 3, 2023 |
| Win | 23-7-0 | Benoit Saint Denis | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 267 | October 30, 2021 |
| Loss | 22-7-0 | Muslim Salikhov | Decision (Split) | UFC 251 | July 12, 2020 |
| Win | 22-6-0 | Alexey Kunchenko | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC Fight Night 170 | March 14, 2020 |
| Loss | 21-6-0 | Li Jingliang | TKO (Punches) | UFC Fight Night 157 | August 31, 2019 |
| Win | 21-5-0 | Curtis Millender | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | UFC Fight Night 146 | March 9, 2019 |
| Win | 20-5-0 | Luigi Vendramini | KO (Flying Knee and Punches) | UFC Fight Night 137 | September 22, 2018 |
| Win | 19-5-0 | Sean Strickland | KO (Spinning Wheel Kick and Punches) | UFC 224 | May 12, 2018 |
| Win | 18-5-0 | Max Griffin | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC Fight Night 119 | October 28, 2017 |
| Win | 17-5-0 | Lyman Good | Decision (Split) | UFC on Fox 25 | July 22, 2017 |
| Win | 16-5-0 | Keita Nakamura | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC Fight Night 96 | October 1, 2016 |
| Win | 15-5-0 | Omari Akhmedov | TKO (Knees and Punches) | UFC on Fox 19 | April 16, 2016 |
| Loss | 14-5-0 | Nicolas Dalby | Decision (Split) | UFC Fight Night 67 | May 30, 2015 |
Achievements
- Former Jungle Fight Welterweight Champion
- 14 wins by knockout
- 3 wins by submission
- Notable victories over Sean Strickland and Abubakar Nurmagomedov
- UFC record of 10 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw
FAQs
1. Who is Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos?
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is a Brazilian MMA fighter born December 11, 1986. He competes in the UFC welterweight division, is known for his striking skills, and fights out of CM System.
2. What is Zaleski dos Santos’s professional record?
He has a professional record of 25 wins, 10 losses, and 1 draw. Most of his victories in the UFC have come via knockout, showcasing aggressive finishing ability.
3. What is his fighting nickname and style?
Zaleski goes by the nickname “Capoeira,” referencing his creative kick-heavy fighting style. He employs an orthodox stance and specializes in high-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu and dynamic strikes.
4. What notable UFC finishes does Zaleski have?
He delivered many impressive knockouts, including a spinning wheel kick win over Sean Strickland and a rear-naked choke submission against Curtis Millender. Several finishes have earned him post-fight bonuses.
5. What titles or honors has Zaleski earned in his career?
Zaleski won the Jungle Fight welterweight championship before joining the UFC and has earned multiple “Fight of the Night” bonuses for exciting performances inside the octagon.
6. How did Zaleski perform in recent UFC main card fights?
He secured a TKO victory against Zach Scroggin in November 2024, knocked out Chidi Njokuani in March 2025, and most recently suffered a TKO loss to Neil Magny in August 2025.
7. What is Zaleski’s reach and fighting stats?
He stands 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighs 171 pounds, and possesses a 73-inch reach. Zaleski averages over 4 significant strikes landed per minute and defends 55% of strikes attempted against him.
8. Which team and coaches does Zaleski train with?
He trains with the CM System team in Brazil. His coaches have helped him develop a blend of striking and grappling that makes him dangerous against varied UFC opponents.
9. What setbacks has Zaleski faced during his UFC career?
He has experienced close decision losses and tough knockouts, including a defeat by Neil Magny in 2025 and a TKO loss to Li Jingliang in 2019. Zaleski consistently rebounds with high-energy fights.
10. What makes Zaleski a fan-favorite in the UFC?
Fans appreciate his relentless pressure, spectacular knockouts, and willingness to engage in action-packed fights. His charismatic style and signature capoeira moves make him a unique fighter in the welterweight division.
