Junior dos Santos, affectionately known as “Cigano,” is a name that resonates with MMA enthusiasts worldwide.
This Brazilian powerhouse has significantly impacted the world of mixed martial arts, particularly in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
In this article, you will know Junior dos Santos’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Junior dos Santos’s Biography
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Junior dos Santos |
| Nickname | Cigano |
| Birth Date | 30 January 1984 |
| Age | 40 |
| Height (m) | 1.93 |
| Weight (kg) | 111 |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Fighting Style | Striker |
| Team | American Top Team |
Born on January 30, 1984, in Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brazil, Junior dos Santos had humble beginnings.
Raised by a single mother alongside his siblings, dos Santos started working at a young age to support his family.
Early Career
His martial arts journey began with capoeira, a Brazilian martial art, during his teenage years.
However, it wasn’t until he was 21 that he took martial arts seriously, training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Yuri Carlton.
Dos Santos transitioned to boxing and met his coach, Luiz Carlos Dórea. Under Dórea’s guidance, he honed his skills and eventually ventured into mixed martial arts.
Dos Santos made his professional MMA debut in 2006, quickly rising through the ranks with his impressive striking ability and knockout power.
Professional Career
Junior dos Santos’ career in the UFC is marked by numerous high-profile bouts and accolades.
He made his UFC debut in 2008, knocking out Fabricio Werdum in the first round. This win set the stage for his ascent in the heavyweight division.
In November 2011, dos Santos achieved a career milestone by defeating Cain Velasquez to become the UFC Heavyweight Champion.
Dos Santos defeated several notable opponents, including Mark Hunt, Stipe Miocic, and Frank Mir, further enhancing his reputation as a formidable striker.
Wife
Junior dos Santos was married to Visana Piccozi from 2003 to 2013. Junior dos Santos has a son named Bento, who was two years old in 2019.
Junior dos Santos’s Net Worth Details
Junior dos’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million as of 2025.
Contract
Junior dos Santos signed an eight-fight contract with the UFC, with the first being against Curtis Blaydes on January 25, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 166.
He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of Eagle FC.
Salary
Junior dos Santos earns approximately $500,000 per fight.
Fight Purses
| Event | Date | Opponent | Purse (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UFC 90 | October 25, 2008 | Andrei Arlovski | $100,000 |
| UFC on FOX 13 | January 14, 2015 | Stipe Miocic | $260,000 |
| UFC 160 | May 25, 2013 | Cain Velasquez | $400,000 |
| UFC 168 | December 28, 2013 | Mark Hunt | $300,000 |
| UFC 173 | May 24, 2014 | Derrick Lewis | $150,000 |
| UFC 214 | July 29, 2017 | Alexander Volkov | $500,000 |
| UFC Fight Night 126 | February 18, 2018 | The Black Beast | $150,000 |
| UFC on ESPN 4 | July 20, 2019 | Curtis Blaydes | $250,000 |
| Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA | March 2, 2024 | Alan Belcher | $100,000 |
Endorsement
Junior dos Santos has had major endorsement deals. Notably, Nike Brazil endorsed him during his early career in AEW.
However, when he moved to the UFC, Nike had to stop sponsoring him due to the UFC’s exclusive apparel deal with Reebok.
Fight Stats
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Round | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-03-02 | Alan Belcher | W | TKO (Punches) | 2 | – | GFC 7 – Gamebred Fighting Championship 7 |
| 2023-09-08 | Fabricio Werdum | W | Decision (Split) | 3 | – | GFC 5 – Gamebred Fighting Championship 5 |
| 2022-05-20 | Yorgan De Castro | L | TKO (Shoulder Injury) | 3 | 0:35 | EFC 47 – Eagle FC 47: dos Santos vs. De Castro |
| 2020-12-12 | Ciryl Gane | L | TKO (Elbow) | 2 | 2:34 | UFC 256 – Figueiredo vs. Moreno |
| 2020-08-15 | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | L | TKO (Punches) | 2 | 3:47 | UFC 252: Miocic vs. Cormier 3 |
| 2020-01-25 | Curtis Blaydes | L | TKO (Punches) | 2 | 1:06 | UFC Fight Night 166 – Blaydes vs. dos Santos |
| 2019-06-29 | Francis Ngannou | L | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 1:11 | UFC on ESPN 3 – Ngannou vs. Dos Santos |
| 2019-03-09 | Derrick Lewis | W | TKO (Punches) | 2 | – | UFC Fight Night 146 – Lewis vs. Dos Santos |
| 2018-12-01 | Tai Tuivasa | W | TKO (Punches) | 2 | – | UFC Fight Night 142 – Dos Santos vs. Tuivasa |
| 2018-07-14 | Blagoy Ivanov | W | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | – | UFC Fight Night 133 – Dos Santos vs. Ivanov |
| 2017-05-13 | Stipe Miocic | L | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 2:22 | UFC 211 – Miocic vs. dos Santos 2 |
| 2016-04-10 | Ben Rothwell | W | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | – | UFC Fight Night 86 – Rothwell vs. Dos Santos |
| 2015-12-19 | Alistair Overeem | L | TKO (Punches) | 2 | – | UFC on Fox 17 – Dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2 |
| 2013-10-20 | Cain Velasquez | L | TKO (Punches) | 5 | 3:09 | UFC 166 – Velasquez vs. Dos Santos 3 |
| 2012-12-30 | Cain Velasquez | L | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 | UFC 155 – Dos Santos vs. Velasquez 2 |
| 2012-05-27 | Frank Mir | W | TKO (Punches) | 2 | 3:04 | UFC 146 – dos Santos vs. Mir |
| 2011-11-13 | Cain Velasquez | W | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 1:04 | UFC on Fox – Velasquez vs. dos Santos |
FAQs
1. Who is Junior dos Santos?
Junior dos Santos, nicknamed “Cigano,” is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Heavyweight Champion. He has competed in the heavyweight division of MMA and is currently the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Champion. He is known for his striking skills and knockout power.
2. What are Junior dos Santos’ career achievements?
Dos Santos won the UFC Heavyweight Championship in 2011 by defeating Cain Velasquez via knockout. He holds records for the longest winning streak in UFC heavyweight history (9) and the most knockdowns landed in the division (14). He has also earned multiple “Knockout of the Night” and “Fight of the Night” awards.
3. How did Junior dos Santos start his MMA career?
Dos Santos began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu at age 21 and transitioned to boxing soon after. Within a year of starting boxing, he debuted professionally in MMA. His early training under Yuri Carlton and Luiz Carlos Dórea helped him develop into a versatile fighter.
4. What is Junior dos Santos’ fighting style?
Dos Santos is primarily known for his boxing skills, utilizing powerful punches to secure knockouts. He also has a background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, giving him a solid foundation for grappling when needed. His striking ability makes him a dangerous opponent in stand-up exchanges.
5. What was Junior dos Santos’ most notable fight?
One of his most iconic fights was his victory over Cain Velasquez in 2011, where he won the UFC Heavyweight title with a 64-second knockout. This fight marked his rise to prominence as one of the top heavyweights in MMA history.
6. Has Junior dos Santos faced any setbacks in his career?
Yes, Dos Santos has experienced losses against top fighters like Francis Ngannou, Stipe Miocic, and Ciryl Gane. He also dealt with injuries and a USADA suspension due to tainted supplements, though he was later cleared of intentional wrongdoing.
7. Did Junior dos Santos transition to other combat sports?
Yes, Dos Santos ventured into professional wrestling with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and recently competed in bare-knuckle MMA under Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred promotion, where he became the heavyweight champion.
8. What personal challenges has Junior dos Santos faced?
Dos Santos grew up in Brazil under difficult circumstances, raised by a single mother after his father left the family. He started working at age 10 to support his family and overcame these challenges to become a world-class athlete.
9. Is Junior dos Santos involved in coaching or training others?
Dos Santos has expressed interest in sharing his knowledge with others and has participated as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter. He continues to train with high-level athletes to improve his own skills while mentoring younger fighters.
10. What are Junior dos Santos’ future plans?
Despite being asked about retirement, Dos Santos remains active in combat sports, competing in bare-knuckle MMA and exploring opportunities in professional boxing. He aims to continue achieving success across multiple disciplines while maintaining his legacy as a top fighter.
