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 mixed martial artist born on November 12, 1986, in Francisco Beltrão, Brazil. He competes in the welterweight division of the UFC and is known for his dynamic fighting style, which combines Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Capoeira.
2. What is Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos’ MMA record?
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos has a professional MMA record of 25 wins, 10 losses, and 1 draw. He has achieved 15 wins by knockout, 3 by submission, and 7 by decision.
3. What championships has Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos won?
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos is a former Jungle Fight Welterweight Champion with one successful title defense. He has also earned three “Fight of the Night” bonuses in the UFC for his performances against Omari Akhmedov, Lyman Good, and Max Griffin.
4. Why was Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos suspended by USADA?
Zaleski tested positive for ostarine, a prohibited substance under UFC’s Anti-Doping Policy. He claimed the positive test resulted from a contaminated supplement but could not prove it conclusively. He served a one-year suspension and returned to competition in March 2023.
5. How did Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos get his nickname “Capoeira”?
His nickname “Capoeira” stems from his first combat sport, Capoeira, which he began training at age nine in Brazil. This martial art heavily influences his unique and acrobatic fighting style in MMA.
6. What are some notable fights in Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos’ career?
Notable fights include his knockout win over Sean Strickland in 2018 (ranked #5 Knockout of the Year), a split decision victory against Abubakar Nurmagomedov in June 2023, and a technical knockout win against Zach Scroggin in November 2024 at UFC Fight Night 247.
7. Where does Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos train?
Elizeu trains at CM System gym located in Curitiba, Brazil. The gym is known for producing skilled fighters and supporting athletes with diverse martial arts backgrounds like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai.
8. What is Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos’ fighting style?
Zaleski employs an orthodox stance and incorporates techniques from Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (black belt), and Capoeira into his fights. His striking finesse and ability to finish fights have earned him recognition as a formidable competitor in MMA.
9. What challenges has Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos faced in his career?
He has faced setbacks such as losing his UFC debut to Nicolas Dalby via split decision and serving a one-year suspension for doping violations in 2022. Despite these challenges, he continues to compete at a high level in the UFC welterweight division.
10. What are Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos’ physical attributes?
Elizeu stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall (1.80 m) and weighs approximately 170 pounds (77 kg). His athletic build complements his explosive fighting style and ability to deliver powerful knockouts inside the octagon.
