Who are Junior dos Santos Parents? Meet Maria de Lourdes de Almeida and Sebastião de Jesus Almeida

Who is Junior dos Santos?

Junior dos Santos, known as "Cigano," is a highly respected Brazilian mixed martial artist renowned for his powerful striking, technical skills, and successful career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born on January 30, 1984, in Caçador, Brazil, dos Santos began his journey to becoming a prominent figure in the sport of mixed martial arts at a young age.

Dos Santos rose to fame with his exceptional boxing skills, often outstriking opponents and displaying remarkable knockout power. His journey to UFC stardom gained momentum when he joined the promotion in 2008, quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the heavyweight division. His ability to seamlessly blend striking techniques with effective takedown defense and overall athleticism set him apart as a complete mixed martial artist.

Notably, dos Santos held the UFC Heavyweight Championship and successfully defended his title. His epic battles inside the octagon against some of the biggest names in the sport, including victories over Cain Velasquez and Frank Mir, solidified his place among the elite heavyweights in UFC history.

Junior dos Santos Nationality

Junior dos Santos, widely known as "Cigano," is a revered mixed martial artist hailing from Brazil, proudly representing Brazilian nationality. Born on January 30, 1984, in Caçador, Brazil, dos Santos' citizenship aligns with the country's rich history of producing world-class fighters in the sport of mixed martial arts. His origins in Brazil, known for its strong martial arts culture, have significantly influenced his journey as a prominent figure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Junior dos Santos Career

Junior dos Santos is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division of the Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC). He is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, having held the title from 2011 to 2012. He is also the former Glory Heavyweight Champion, having held the title from 2019 to 2021.

Dos Santos started his professional MMA career in 2006. He quickly rose through the ranks and made his UFC debut in 2008. He won his first six UFC fights, including victories over Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga.

In 2011, dos Santos faced Cain Velasquez for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Dos Santos won the fight by unanimous decision, becoming the first Brazilian UFC Heavyweight Champion.

Dos Santos made his first title defense against Frank Mir in 2012. He won the fight by knockout in the second round. However, dos Santos lost his title to Velasquez in a rematch later that year.

Dos Santos continued to compete in the UFC after losing his title. He had notable victories over Mark Hunt, Ben Rothwell, and Derrick Lewis. However, he also suffered losses to Alistair Overeem, Stefan Struve, and Stipe Miocic.

In 2018, dos Santos left the UFC and signed with Bellator MMA. He made his Bellator debut against Fedor Emelianenko in 2019. Dos Santos won the fight by unanimous decision.

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