Thiago Santos News

Adam Martin - July 10, 2019

Thiago Santos had the biggest fight of his MMA carer this past Saturday against Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 239. Thought he officially lost a split decision, he gained the respect of the entire MMA community for not only giving Jones a tough fight, but for fighting 25 minutes with two severely-damaged knees. Although Santos will be out until mid-2020 after having knee surgery, he told Combate that he isn’t giving up hope of eventually fighting Jones for a second time.

Tom Taylor - July 10, 2019

UFC light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith is the only man to have fought both Jon Jones and Thiago Santos. As such, he has some unique insight into the pair’s UFC 239 fight, which Jones won via narrow split decision — easily one of his least impressive performances of late. Smith gave his thoughts on Jones’ UFC 239 performance during an appearance on MMA on Sirius XM.

Cole Shelton - July 9, 2019

Last weekend, the Octagon returned to Las Vegas, Nevada for International Fight Week and a stacked UFC 239 card. In the main event, light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones defended his title as he edged out a split-decision over Thiago Santos. During the fight, the Brazilian’s knee buckled numerous times, while “Bones” had to be carried out of the Octagon due to his own leg injury. Meanwhile, the co-main event saw Amanda Nunes knock out Holly Holm in the first frame to defend her bantamweight title.

Jordy McElroy - July 9, 2019

Paradise, Nevada was on the verge of descending into hell for light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who came within a scorecard of losing a split decision to gutsy contender Thiago Santos at UFC 239 on Saturday night. One opinion is literally all that stood between continuity and a seismic shift in the division ushering in a new era in MMA. A visibly stunned audience at the T-Mobile Arena watched in complete disbelief as a weary and injured Santos was helped back to the locker room. Not far behind him was Jones, arguably the greatest fighter in MMA history, leaning on a couple human crutches himself after five rounds of attrition; or rather, five rounds of newfound hope for a light heavyweight division growing stagnant from a lack of star power, aside from its incandescent king.

Thomas Taylor - July 7, 2019

Jon Jones seems to be open to a rematch with Thiago Santos, but not right away. The pair met in the main event of UFC 239 on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Jones, the UFC light heavyweight champion, defended his title with a split decision victory competitive enough to leave many fans keen for a rematch.

Cole Shelton - July 7, 2019

International Fight Week has come and gone and with it was a stacked UFC 239 card. The card was headlined by Jon Jones looking to defend his light heavyweight title against Thiago Santos. In the co-main event, Amanda Nunes was looking to defend her bantamweight title against Holly Holm. And, in a pivotal welterweight bout, Jorge Masvidal fought Ben Askren. Jones ended up edging out a split-decision win over Santos while Nunes TKO’d Holm in the first round and Masvidal knocked out Askren in five seconds.

Chris Taylor - July 7, 2019

Jon Jones retained his UFC light heavyweight title at last night’s UFC 239 event, scoring a split-decision victory over Thiago Santos. The fight was much closer than many fans and analysts anticipated, and some fighters believed ‘Marreta’ had done enough to win.

Adam D Martin - July 7, 2019

Thiago Santos has released a statement following his controversial split decision loss to Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 239. Here’s what Santos had to say to the fans on his social media:

Fernando Quiles - July 6, 2019

Michael Bisping gives Thiago Santos a shot at beating Jon Jones, but he won’t bet the house on it. Tonight (July 6), Santos will challenge Jones for the UFC light heavyweight championship in the UFC 239 headliner. Jones is entering the second title defense of his current reign. Meanwhile, this will be “Marreta’s” first UFC title opportunity. He brings with him a four-fight winning streak, earning finishes in three of those bouts over Jan Blachowicz, Jimi Manuwa, and Eryk Anders.

Tom Taylor - July 5, 2019

If Thiago Santos beats Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 239 on Saturday night, don’t say he didn’t warn you. Despite being pegged as a massive bettering underdog against the seemingly unbeatable champion, the Brazilian challenger claims he has successfully humanized Jones in his mind, and is prepared to cudgel the champion just as he has all of his other recent opponents.

Cole Shelton - July 4, 2019

In the main event of UFC 239, Jon Jones will be looking to defend his light heavyweight title when he takes on Thiago Santos. Heading into the fight, “Bones” is a -700 favorite, while the challenger is a hefty +450 underdog. Ahead of the title fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. To no surprise most are picking the champ. But, one fighter believes it will be Santos’ day and he will be able to shock the world.

Natasha Hooper - July 4, 2019

Thiago Santos has seemingly bulked up in preparation for his UFC 239 bout against Jon Jones. The Brazilian light heavyweight fighter nicknamed “Marreta” looks like he’s packed on some pounds, if a recent Instagram post is any indication. Currently, he is in Las Vegas, the location of his upcoming fight. Santos is taking in some local attractions and sharing his experiences on his Instagram.

Cole Shelton - July 2, 2019

Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones have one of the biggest rivalries in all of MMA. They have fought two times, with “Bones” winning one, while the other being a no-contest, after originally being a win for Jones. After spending over 37 minutes in the Octagon with Jones, Cormier knows his tendencies. And, ahead of Thiago Santos’ title fight against “Bones” at UFC 239, the heavyweight champ shared some advice on what the Brazilian needs to do to beat the light heavyweight king.

Cole Shelton - July 2, 2019

Thiago Santos will be fighting for UFC gold for the first time in his career on Saturday in the main event of UFC 239. There, the Brazilian is set to take on light heavyweight king, Jon Jones. Santos knows beating “Bones” will not be easy, but believes he can get it done.

Tom Taylor - June 28, 2019

UFC analyst Dan Hardy, like many fight fans, recognizes that Thiago Santos faces a monumental task in his UFC 239 title fight with light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Jones is far and away the more technical, versatile fighter, which would seemingly leave Santos with few paths to victory. A Thiago Santos victory is, of course, a possibility — however slim.

Fernando Quiles - June 27, 2019

Thiago Santos doesn’t view Jon Jones as an unstoppable force. On July 6, Santos will challenge Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title. This will be Jones’ second title defense in his current reign. As for “Marreta,” it’ll be his first title opportunity under the UFC banner. Jones vs. Santos headlines UFC 239 inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Natasha Hooper - May 29, 2019

Light heavyweight contender Anthony Smith believes there is hope for Thiago Santos, who looks to defeat the current champion, Jon Jones, in July. “Marreta” Santos will be headlining the UFC 239 event against Jones at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. This will be the Brazilian fighter’s first shot at the light heavyweight title.

Tom Taylor - May 16, 2019

On July 6, in the main event of UFC 239, Brazilian knockout artist Thiago Santos will look to succeed where so many before him have failed and defeat legendary UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Heading into this fight, he knows he’s going to have his hands full. His main priority is simply doing his best to make Jones suffer.