Thiago “Marreta” Santos has made a name for himself in mixed martial arts (MMA) as a formidable fighter in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
In this article, you will know Thiago Santos’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Thiago Santos’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thiago de Lima Santos |
| Nickname | Marreta (The Sledgehammer) |
| Date of Birth | January 7, 1984 |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 6’2″ (188 cm) |
| Current Division | Light Heavyweight |
| Current Organization | Professional Fighters League (PFL) |
Thiago Santos was born into a poor Rio de Janeiro, Brazil family. As a child, he overcame health issues, including cysts that had to be surgically removed.
His family faced homelessness before settling in the Cidade de Deus neighborhood.
Early Career
Santos made his UFC debut in August 2013 against Cezar Ferreira. Although he lost the fight, he still earned $8,000 for his efforts.
His earnings gradually increased as he fought and improved his record.
Professional Career
Santos made his professional MMA debut in 2010 and quickly amassed an impressive record of 8-1 before joining the cast of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2 in 2013.
After competing on The Ultimate Fighter, Santos signed with the UFC and has been a mainstay in the organization since 2013.
He has competed in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, facing some of the best fighters in the world.
Wife
Thiago Santos is married to Yana Santos (formerly Yana Kunitskaya), an MMA fighter. They began dating in 2019 and got engaged in December 2020.
Thiago and Yana Santos have one child together: Their daughter, Alisa Santos, was born in April 2022.
Both Thiago and Yana also have children from previous relationships:
- Thiago has a son named Tiago
- Yana has a son named Adam
Thiago Santos’s Net Worth Details
Thiago Santos’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million as of 2025.
Contract
- Santos recently left the UFC after a 10-year, 24-fight tenure with the promotion.
- In September 2022, he signed a multi-fight deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
- The exact terms of his PFL contract have not been disclosed publicly.
- Santos will compete in the PFL’s 2023 light heavyweight season, and the tournament winner will receive a $1 million prize.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Result | Base Salary | Win Bonus | Performance Bonus | Incentive Pay | Total Purse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnny Walker | Win | $100,000 | $100,000 | – | $21,000 | $221,000 |
| Aleksandar Rakic | Loss | $80,000 | – | – | $20,000 | $100,000 |
| Glover Teixeira | Loss | $80,000 | – | – | $15,000 | $95,000 |
| Jon Jones | Loss | $350,000 | – | – | $30,000 | $380,000 |
| Jan Blachowicz | Win | $60,000 | $60,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 | $180,000 |
| Jimi Manuwa | Win | $56,000 | $56,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 | $172,000 |
| Eryk Anders | Win | $52,000 | $52,000 | $50,000 | $10,000 | $164,000 |
| Kevin Holland | Win | $48,000 | $48,000 | – | $10,000 | $106,000 |
| David Branch | Loss | $48,000 | – | – | $10,000 | $58,000 |
Endorsements
However, we can infer a few points about his potential endorsements:
- UFC Sponsorship: While fighting in the UFC, Santos likely benefited from the UFC’s partnership with Reebok (and later Venum) for fighter apparel. This is suggested by the mention of “Reebok sponsorship” in one of his fight purse breakdowns.
- Potential for New Deals: Santos’s recent move to the Professional Fighters League (PFL) may open the door to new endorsement deals.
- Focus on Fight Earnings: Most financial information about Santos focuses on his fight purses and career earnings rather than endorsements, indicating that his primary income source has been his fights.
MMA Fight Stats
| Result | Opponent | Event | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | Denis Goltsov | PFL 4: 2024 Regular Season | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 2:22 |
| Loss | Yoel Romero | PFL vs. Bellator | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| NC | Rob Wilkinson | PFL 1: 2023 Regular Season | No Contest (Overturned) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Jamahal Hill | UFC on ESPN 40 | TKO (Punches and Elbows) | 4 | 2:31 |
| Loss | Magomed Ankalaev | UFC Fight Night 203 | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Win | Johnny Walker | UFC Fight Night 193 | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Aleksandar Rakic | UFC 259 | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Loss | Glover Teixeira | UFC on ESPN 17 | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 3 | 1:49 |
| Loss | Jon Jones | UFC 239 | Decision (Split) | 5 | 5:00 |
| Win | Jan Blachowicz | UFC Fight Night 145 | TKO (Punches) | 3 | 0:39 |
FAQs
1. Who is Thiago Santos?
Thiago Santos, also known as “Marreta,” is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He was born on January 7, 1984, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Santos is known for competing in the UFC’s light heavyweight and middleweight divisions and currently fights in the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
2. What is Thiago Santos’ fighting style?
Thiago Santos is renowned for his aggressive striking style, emphasizing knockouts. He holds black belts in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a green rope rank in Capoeira. His favorite techniques include high kicks and heavy body strikes, which have earned him multiple “Performance of the Night” awards.
3. What are Thiago Santos’ career highlights?
Santos has achieved notable milestones, including challenging Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in 2019, earning four “Performance of the Night” bonuses, and tying for the most knockout victories in UFC middleweight history. He also competed in The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2.
4. How many fights has Thiago Santos won by knockout?
Out of his 22 career wins, Thiago Santos has secured 15 victories via knockout. His striking power makes him one of the most dangerous finishers in MMA.
5. What injury did Thiago Santos suffer during his fight with Jon Jones?
His fight against Jon Jones, Santos tore the ACL, MCL, PCL, and meniscus in his left knee. Despite these injuries, he went the full five rounds and lost via split decision—a testament to his resilience.
6. What is Thiago Santos’ nickname, and why?
Santos is nicknamed “Marreta,” which means “sledgehammer” in Portuguese. The name reflects his powerful striking ability and knockout potential inside the cage.
7. What teams has Thiago Santos trained with?
Santos has trained with prominent teams such as American Top Team and TATA Fight Team. These teams have helped him refine his wrestling, takedown defense, and overall MMA skills.
8. What personal challenges has Thiago Santos faced?
Santos grew up in poverty in Rio de Janeiro and experienced homelessness after a flood destroyed his family’s belongings. He also overcame a severe childhood illness involving stomach cysts that required surgery.
9. How did Thiago Santos start his martial arts journey?
Santos began training in Capoeira at a young age before transitioning to Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His background in Capoeira gave him a foundation of agility and striking that he adapted for MMA.
10. Has Thiago Santos ever won a UFC title?
Thiago Santos has not won a UFC title but came close when he fought Jon Jones for the light heavyweight championship in 2019. Despite losing via split decision, one judge scored the fight in his favor—an unprecedented feat against Jones.
