Just a few weeks ago, Felipe dos Santos was all set to fight on Dana White’s Contender Series for a shot at winning a UFC contract. Now, with his opponent having pulled out, dos Santos is in the UFC, arriving as a short-notice replacement against Manel Kape at UFC 293 this weekend. That’s no easy out for a first fight, but nevertheless it’s a huge opportunity, and a very high-profile one.
Felipe “Lipe Detona” dos Santos
Standing at five-foot-seven
Fighting at 125 lbs (bantamweight)
22-years-old
Fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil
Training out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima
A pro record of 7-0, 1 NC
2 KO/TKOs, 3 Submissions
How Santos will fare in the UFC:
Santos was supposed to fight on the Contender Series in week three but his opponent pulled out. Now, Santos is on the main card of a big UFC PPV. Felipe dos Santos comes from the Chute Boxe Diego Lima gym with a ton of excellent fighters. He’s been training with the best fighters out of Brazil and is a prodigy of UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.
“Lipe Detona” brings that Brazilian savagery when he steps into the cage. Dos Santos conducts a muay thai fighting style when he’s in the cage. He excels in the clinch with his elbows and knees while his muay thai plum is stellar. Dos Santos likes to use those elbows throwing them in the clinch, to enter the range like a jab, will throw them upward Anderson Silva style, and really enjoys the spinning elbow.
The Brazilian likes to trade in the pocket and doesn’t mind taking one to give one. He keeps his hands up but fails to move his head a little more than he should. Dos Santos is comfortable trading as his chin has held up and most likely has more weapons compared to anyone he fights. Dos Santos has those knees, elbows, a long jab, really good chopping leg kicks, and not to mention his hands are sharp. His right cross is sick and as he gets more comfortable he puts his hands together in combinations including attacking the body.
His striking defense isn’t his biggest flaw as that is his takedown defense. In almost all of his fights, he has been taken down. Even at times, he’s comfortable going to his back as his jiu-jitsu is solid. Off his back, he’s usually the one offensively active. If he’s not fighting the wrist and throwing up the triangle he’s shifting his hips for the armbar or he’s scrambling to get on top. He fights at a good pace so as the fight goes he gets stronger.
I’d put Santos into the violent category and not just exciting but a lot of upside. Especially at flyweight, I really like the career trajectory of “Lipe Detona.” The kid is only 22 too so the future looks bright.
How he matches up with Kape:
I’m happy that Santos is in the UFC but getting Kape in your debut is a tough go. Saying that he has nothing to lose and Kape has all the pressure. As long as Kape doesn’t just stand in front of Santos this is his fight to lose. His speed, explosiveness, and especially the wrestling should give him the edge in this fight. Santos is extremely dangerous but this is too much of a step up.
