Thiago Santos Admits To Mental Health Struggles Before Teixeira Loss

After a brutal loss to Glover Teixeira last Nov., Thiago Santos has spoken out about the mental hurdles that plagued him before the fight. After his failed title bid with the champion, Jon Jones, the Brazilian striker suffered serious injuries to his k…

After a brutal loss to Glover Teixeira last Nov., Thiago Santos has spoken out about the mental hurdles that plagued him before the fight. After his failed title bid with the champion, Jon Jones, the Brazilian striker suffered serious injuries to his knees. Following a strenuous healing process, with the help of his partner Yana […]

Thiago Santos Admits To Mental Health Struggles Before Teixeira Loss

After a brutal loss to Glover Teixeira last Nov., Thiago Santos has spoken out about the mental hurdles that plagued him before the fight. After his failed title bid with the champion, Jon Jones, the Brazilian striker suffered serious injuries to his k…

After a brutal loss to Glover Teixeira last Nov., Thiago Santos has spoken out about the mental hurdles that plagued him before the fight. After his failed title bid with the champion, Jon Jones, the Brazilian striker suffered serious injuries to his knees. Following a strenuous healing process, with the help of his partner Yana […]

Thiago Santos Still Targeting UFC Gold, Will Compete Even In 40s

SantosIt might surprise some to learn that Thiago Santos is 37. However, the light heavyweight contender has no plans of stopping fighting just yet. Santos is on a two-fight losing streak following defeats to Jon Jones and Glover Teixeira. He will look to return to the win column when he faces Aleksandar Rakic at the […]

Santos

It might surprise some to learn that Thiago Santos is 37. However, the light heavyweight contender has no plans of stopping fighting just yet.

Santos is on a two-fight losing streak following defeats to Jon Jones and Glover Teixeira. He will look to return to the win column when he faces Aleksandar Rakic at the UFC 259 pay-per-view event taking place March 6.

Another setback could hinder his chances of contending for the title again.

However, even if that should happen, “Marreta” has plenty left in the tank as he will even compete in his forties to achieve his goal of becoming UFC champion.

“My goal is to become the UFC champion,” Santos told MMA Junkie. “I’m not in the UFC just to be in the UFC. I plan to fight past the age of 40. It all depends on how much my body can take. As long as I can have good performances, I’ll keep working at it.”

He won’t face an easy task in Rakic next who is 5-1 in the UFC and coming off a unanimous decision win over Anthony Smith.

However, given the Austrian’s skillset along with his own, Santos is expecting an “awesome” fight.

“Aleksandar is super tough,” Santos said. “He’s young. He’s scored several great wins in the UFC. He’s tall, strong, with a great reach. He hits hard. He has very good kickboxing, and uses takedowns and wrestling when necessary. I think it’s going to be an awesome fight.

“On fight night, I believe I’ll be a better version of myself, better than the one who fought Glover. I’m going to surprise everyone. Without a doubt, it’s going to be a great fight. Fans should not miss this one. We’re both very aggressive. I’m ready to bring home another win.”

As for his submission loss to Teixeira — in which he knocked down his fellow compatriot twice prior to losing — Santos believes his preparation was perfect going into the fight.

It was just ring rust that played a major factor, however.

“Against Glover, he did what he had to do,” Santos added. “He was very strategic. We knew what he was going to do. I trained hard for that bout. I was ready. My wrestling and jiu-jitsu were on point. By that time, I was fully recovered from COVID-19.

“What really weighed on me was the time away from the octagon. The lack of fight time made the difference. Glover deserves full credit. Now, I am completely focused on what’s ahead, on winning my next fight.”

Who do you think will win between Santos and Rakic?

Thiago Santos Says He Will Be ‘100 Times Better’ Against Aleksandar Rakic At UFC 259

Thiago Santos is excited to remind the world just how good he is. To open up the stacked UFC 259 pay-per-view main card, Santos is set to return against Aleksandar Rakic. It’s a very intriguing fight and for the Brazilian, he’s looking to s…

Thiago Santos is excited to remind the world just how good he is. To open up the stacked UFC 259 pay-per-view main card, Santos is set to return against Aleksandar Rakic. It’s a very intriguing fight and for the Brazilian, he’s looking to snap his two-fight losing streak. Last time out, he suffered a submission […]

Aleksandar Rakic Promised Fallen Friend He’ll Beat Thiago Santos

Aleksandar Rakic could not be more motivated ahead of his fight against Thiago Santos on March 6. #4-ranked light heavyweight Aleksandar Rakic has had an impressive run in his first three years in the UFC, tallying a record of 5-1 in the promotion. In …

Aleksandar Rakic could not be more motivated ahead of his fight against Thiago Santos on March 6. #4-ranked light heavyweight Aleksandar Rakic has had an impressive run in his first three years in the UFC, tallying a record of 5-1 in the promotion. In his most recent fight, Rakic was able to defeat Anthony Smith […]