What Happened to Junior dos Santos?
Junior dos Santos, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, has continued his combat sports career after his release from the UFC in 2021. He has competed in bare-knuckle MMA, winning the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Championship in March 2024, and is currently slated to fight Robelis Despaigne at MVP MMA 1 on May 16, 2026.
Quick Answer
Junior dos Santos, also known as 'Cigano,' is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Heavyweight Champion who was released from the UFC in March 2021 after a series of losses. Since then, he has transitioned to other promotions, notably winning the Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Championship in March 2024. As of May 16, 2026, the 42-year-old is scheduled to compete against Robelis Despaigne at MVP MMA 1, looking to establish a long-term future with the promotion.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
UFC Debut: Knocks out Fabricio Werdum
Junior dos Santos made his UFC debut at UFC 90, defeating top contender Fabricio Werdum by knockout in the first round, marking a significant entry into the heavyweight division.
Wins UFC Heavyweight Championship
Dos Santos knocked out Cain Velasquez in 64 seconds at UFC on Fox 1 to become the UFC Heavyweight Champion, a career-defining moment.
Successfully Defends UFC Title against Frank Mir
He successfully defended his UFC Heavyweight Championship against Frank Mir at UFC 146, winning by TKO in the second round.
Loses UFC Heavyweight Championship to Cain Velasquez
In a rematch at UFC 155, Dos Santos lost his heavyweight title to Cain Velasquez via unanimous decision.
Defeats Stipe Miocic in a 'Fight of the Night'
Dos Santos faced Stipe Miocic in a memorable five-round battle, winning by unanimous decision and earning 'Fight of the Night' honors.
Wins against Derrick Lewis, earns 'Fight of the Night'
Dos Santos defeated Derrick Lewis via TKO in the second round at UFC on ESPN+ 4, earning another 'Fight of the Night' award.
Released from the UFC
After suffering four consecutive TKO losses, Junior dos Santos was released from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, ending his 12-year run with the promotion.
Eagle FC Debut
Dos Santos made his debut for Khabib Nurmagomedov's Eagle Fighting Championship against Yorgan De Castro, losing by TKO in the third round.
Bare-knuckle MMA Rematch Win vs. Fabricio Werdum
He fought Fabricio Werdum in a bare-knuckle MMA rematch at Gamebred Fighting Championship 5, winning by split decision and ending a long-standing grudge.
Wins Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Championship
Dos Santos defeated Alan Belcher by knockout in the second round at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7 to become the inaugural Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Champion.
Signed by Global Fight League (Events Postponed)
It was announced that Dos Santos signed with the Global Fight League, though all planned events for the promotion were subsequently postponed indefinitely.
Scheduled to Fight Robelis Despaigne at MVP MMA 1
Junior dos Santos is scheduled to face Robelis Despaigne in the opening bout of the main card at MVP MMA 1, looking to build a long-term future with Most Valuable Promotions.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Junior dos Santos, born on January 30, 1984, rose to prominence in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as a formidable heavyweight striker, earning the nickname 'Cigano' (Gypsy). He made a spectacular UFC debut in October 2008, knocking out top contender Fabricio Werdum in just 80 seconds. His career highlight came in November 2011 when he knocked out Cain Velasquez in 64 seconds to claim the UFC Heavyweight Championship, a title he successfully defended once against Frank Mir.
However, the latter part of his UFC career was marked by brutal wars and a decline in performance. After losing the title back to Velasquez in 2012 and failing to regain it in a trilogy fight, he continued to face top contenders but struggled to maintain consistency. From 2019 to 2020, dos Santos suffered four consecutive technical knockout losses to Francis Ngannou, Curtis Blaydes, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Ciryl Gane. This challenging period led to his release from the UFC on March 3, 2021, after a 12-year tenure with the promotion.
Following his departure from the UFC, dos Santos explored new avenues in combat sports. He made his Eagle FC debut in May 2022, facing Yorgan De Castro, though he suffered a TKO loss. He also ventured into professional wrestling, making appearances for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as part of the American Top Team stable. A significant turning point in his post-UFC career came in bare-knuckle MMA. In September 2023, he secured a split decision victory in a rematch against his former opponent, Fabricio Werdum, at Gamebred Fighting Championship 5.
Dos Santos continued his success in bare-knuckle MMA, culminating in him winning the inaugural Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA Heavyweight Championship on March 2, 2024, by knocking out Alan Belcher at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7. In December 2024, it was announced that he had signed with the Global Fight League, though all events for that promotion were subsequently postponed indefinitely. As of May 16, 2026, Junior dos Santos remains an active fighter at 42 years old. He is scheduled to compete against Robelis Despaigne at MVP MMA 1, an event taking place today. Dos Santos has expressed his desire to be a long-term part of MVP MMA, viewing this fight as a significant step in his career with the new promotion.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Junior dos Santos made different choices?