Tag: vale tudo

And Now He’s Retired: Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos Calls It Quits After Quick TKO Loss to Melvin Manhoef in Rematch

(Santos vs. Manhoef II via João Baptista.)

With an MMA career spanning back 17 years (!) and some 35 (sanctioned) fights, Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos has practically done it all. He’s fought under the Strikeforce, Cage Rage, Jungle Fight, Sengoku, and PRIDE banners. He’s competed in Pancrase, fought in a handful of the legendary Vale Tudo matches, and was one of the founding members of Chute Box, the notoriously brutal Brazilian camp of lore. On his resume you will find such recognizable names as Jose Landi-Jons, Mauricio Rua, Nick Diaz, Melvin Manhoef, Yuki Kondo…we could go on.

A fierce striker with an entertainment over all else approach to the sport, “Cyborg” has and always will represent the “old age” of MMA. He was a “fighter’s fighter” if you will, which makes his decision to step away from the sport on his own accord all the more impressive (looking at you, Big Nog). Speaking with Portal do Vale Tudo on Wednesday, Santos stated that his decision to retire was at least partially influenced by the unfavorable treatment he felt he was receiving from the Gringo Fight promotion, where he was last defeated by Melvin Manhoef in their rematch at Gringo Super Fight 10. However, at just 4-6 in his past 10 fights, it’s hard to disagree with Santos’ decision.

We hope retirement treats you well, Cyborg. Lord knows you’ve earned it.
(*raises chalice* *nods*)

Join us after the jump to once again relive Santos’ 2006 Cage Rage war with Manhoef, then pay your respects to a true legend of the game in the comments section.


(Santos vs. Manhoef II via João Baptista.)

With an MMA career spanning back 17 years (!) and some 35 (sanctioned) fights, Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos has practically done it all. He’s fought under the Strikeforce, Cage Rage, Jungle Fight, Sengoku, and PRIDE banners. He’s competed in Pancrase, fought in a handful of the legendary Vale Tudo matches, and was one of the founding members of Chute Box, the notoriously brutal Brazilian camp of lore. On his resume you will find such recognizable names as Jose Landi-Jons, Mauricio Rua, Nick Diaz, Melvin Manhoef, Yuki Kondo…we could go on.

A fierce striker with an entertainment over all else approach to the sport, “Cyborg” has and always will represent the “old age” of MMA. He was a “fighter’s fighter” if you will, which makes his decision to step away from the sport on his own accord all the more impressive (looking at you, Big Nog). Speaking with Portal do Vale Tudo on Wednesday, Santos stated that his decision to retire was at least partially influenced by the unfavorable treatment he felt he was receiving from the Gringo Fight promotion, where he was last defeated by Melvin Manhoef in their rematch at Gringo Super Fight 10. However, at just 4-6 in his past 10 fights, it’s hard to disagree with Santos’ decision.

We hope retirement treats you well, Cyborg. Lord knows you’ve earned it.
(*raises chalice* *nods*)

Join us after the jump to once again relive Santos’ 2006 Cage Rage war with Manhoef, then pay your respects to a true legend of the game in the comments section.

–J. Jones

Old School Fight of the Day: Wanderlei Silva and Mike Van Arsdale’s Vale Tudo Match

(Skip to 3:10 for the start of the fight) 

Since stepping in for the injury-prone Vitor Belfort against Cung Le, many of us have been wondering if this could be the last we will see of “The Axe Murderer,” and what a sad sight it would be to see him go. Well aware of the position he is in, Silva is training harder than ever, and in light of that, we figured we could showcase some of the brutal tenacity/soccer kicks that spawned our affection for ol’ Wandy in the first place.

(Skip to 3:10 for the start of the fight) 

Since stepping in for the injury-prone Vitor Belfort against Cung Le, many of us have been wondering if this could be the last we will see of “The Axe Murderer,” and what a sad sight it would be to see him go. Well aware of the position he is in, Silva is training harder than ever, and in light of that, we figured we could showcase some of the brutal tenacity/soccer kicks that spawned our affection for ol’ Wandy in the first place.

The above video comes from International Vale Tudo Championship 6-The Challenge, which went down in Sao Paolo Brazil way back in 1998. The victory would earn Silva his first shot in the UFC, which unfortunately would be a 44 second blitzkrieg at the hands of Vitor Belfort. Speaking of the UFC, future UFC light heavyweight champ Chuck Liddell was also on the card, earning a unanimous decision win over Vale Tudo legend Jose “Pele” Landi-Jons.

Whether or not we will be crying for Wanderlei to come back as he rides off into the sunlight, we will always have these brutiful (new word, called it) memories to look back on. Enjoy.

-Danga