Former Sengoku middleweight champ, and UFC vet, Jorge ‘Sandman’ Santiago (23-10) calls 2011 a “nightmare” having lost both of his Octagon appearances, a TKO loss to Brian Stann at UFC 130 and a decision defeat at the hands of Demian Maia at UFC 136.
After his release by the top promotion, Santiago signed a multi-fight deal with the Titan Fighting Championship promotion and is set to debut on March 2nd versus fellow Brazilian Leonardo Pecanha.
Speaking to Tatame.com, Santiago talks about his “nightmare” year and his hopes to return to the Octagon by stringing together a few good wins in 2012.
“I’m strong, my head’s good. 2011 was a nightmare for me… I couldn’t have a good performance, I had many issues because I changes gyms, personal things… I’m not undermining the guys who beat me up, but I know I’m capable of defeating them all… ”
“I’ve talked to Joe Silva (UFC matchmaker) and he told me to fight twice and get good wins, showing I’m good to go, and then I can talk to them again”, reveals. “UFC is like that: you are not scoring, you have to get in the line again. To assure your sport in there you must win… My priority is do good fights and win. There’s no other way, if you wanna get good wins and people to know you, you gotta be in the UFC”.