Felipe dos Santos Record: 8-3-0

UFC run

Dos Santos was handed a daunting debut on short notice at UFC 293 in September 2023, facing top-ranked contender Manel Kape. He lost a competitive unanimous decision but earned widespread praise for hanging tough with one of the division's best, an effort that established him as a legitimate prospect. He broke through in February 2024 with a split-decision win over Victor Altamirano for his first Octagon victory. The momentum stalled against a pair of unbeaten flyweights: he dropped a unanimous decision to André Lima in September 2024 and another to Lone'er Kavanagh in March 2025, two close, competitive losses against rising talent.

Fighting style

Dos Santos is a well-rounded flyweight whose finishing came primarily on the regional scene, where his submission game stood out. Of his eight wins, three came by submission, two by knockout and three by decision, a finish rate around 63 percent, while his three losses all went the full three rounds – a telling marker of his durability and competitiveness even in defeat. His ground game is varied, with guillotines, armbars and triangles on his résumé, and he has shown enough on the feet to stay dangerous at range. The pattern of his UFC career – tight decisions against highly regarded, often undefeated opponents – suggests a fighter who belongs at the level but has run into a gauntlet of the division's best prospects.

Career highlights

• Held his own against a top contender — dos Santos took Manel Kape the full distance on short notice in his UFC debut, earning respect despite the decision loss.
• First UFC win over a seasoned opponent — he edged Victor Altamirano by split decision to break into the win column inside the Octagon.
• Versatile regional finisher — a product of Chute Boxe Diego Lima, he climbed to the UFC on a varied submission game, with guillotine, armbar and triangle finishes to his name.