Thiago "Marreta" Santos: UFC Power Meets Bare Knuckle
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thiago Marreta Santos |
| Nickname | Marreta (The Sledgehammer) |
| Born | January 7, 1984 |
| Hometown | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Weight Class | Light Heavyweight |
| MMA Record | 22-12 |
| Organization | BKFC |
| Notable Achievement | Challenged for UFC LHW title vs. Jon Jones |
Overview
Thiago Santos earned his nickname "Marreta" -- Portuguese for "sledgehammer" -- the honest way. Throughout his UFC career, the Brazilian knockout artist produced some of the most spectacular finishes in middleweight and light heavyweight history, building a reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in MMA. His 2019 title fight against Jon Jones, widely considered one of the closest decisions in UFC title fight history, remains the defining moment of a career built on explosive violence.
When Santos signed with BKFC, he brought the kind of legitimate knockout power and name recognition that bare knuckle promotions covet. A fighter whose career was built on hurting people with his hands, competing in a sport that removes the gloves -- there is a brutal logic to the match.
Career
UFC Career
Santos compiled a 13-9 record in the UFC across two weight classes. He began his Octagon career at middleweight, where he produced memorable knockouts of Jack Hermansson, Kevin Holland, and Gerald Meerschaert. His first-round KO of Hermansson at UFC Fight Night 150 was among the most devastating finishes of 2019.
Moving to light heavyweight proved transformative. Santos went on a four-fight knockout streak that earned him a title shot against Jon Jones at UFC 239 in July 2019. Despite suffering torn ligaments in both knees during the fight, Santos pushed Jones to a razor-thin split decision that many observers scored for the Brazilian. It was a performance of extraordinary courage that elevated his standing in the sport immensely.
BKFC Transition
Santos's signing with BKFC came after his UFC release following a difficult stretch of results. The transition to bare knuckle boxing is a natural fit for a fighter whose greatest asset has always been his striking power. Without the threat of takedowns or ground fighting, Santos can focus entirely on what he does best: hitting people incredibly hard.
Fighting Style
Santos is a power striker in the most literal sense. His punches carry the kind of force that changes fights in an instant -- heavy overhands, looping hooks, and uppercuts thrown with full commitment and devastating effect. He is not a volume puncher or a technical boxer. He is a fighter who loads up on every shot because he knows that one clean connection is often all he needs.
His Muay Thai background gives him comfort in the clinch and the ability to generate power from short range. In bare knuckle, where the fighting often happens at close quarters, Santos's ability to hurt opponents even in tight spaces makes him particularly dangerous. His willingness to trade and his general disregard for his own safety create the kind of violent exchanges that define bare knuckle at its most compelling.
Legacy
Thiago Santos's legacy will forever be tied to that night in Las Vegas when he nearly dethroned the greatest light heavyweight champion in MMA history while fighting on two destroyed knees. That performance encapsulates everything Santos represents: raw power, indomitable will, and the kind of courage that separates fighters from everyone else.
His move to BKFC continues a trend of high-level UFC veterans finding a second career in bare knuckle fighting. Santos joins fellow former UFC contenders Yoel Romero, Derek Brunson, and Luke Rockhold in bringing elite-level striking to the bare knuckle ring.
Watch
Watch Thiago Santos at BKFC KnuckleMania VI Free Event on YouTube
Related Fighters
- Yoel Romero -- fellow UFC veteran in BKFC
- Derek Brunson -- UFC middleweight contemporary now in BKFC
- Luke Rockhold -- former UFC champion also in BKFC
