L. Santos (photo) returns to Ultimate at UFC Stockholm. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @leosantosjj
Light weight Leo Santos does not hide his joy at returning to a professional fight after being away from the octagons for more than two years. In a recent interview with ‘Combate’, the athlete revealed his expectations for the fight next Saturday (1), at UFC Stockholm (Sweden). The fighter will have the fifth fight on the preliminary card against Scottish Stevie Ray.
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“I think the biggest challenge is against myself. It's the return. Contain anxiety, the desire to win; that absurd thing, not letting it get in the way. The excitement of being back. This will be the biggest challenge, he won’t be my opponent”, confessed Léo.
Even with concerns about the anxiety of his return, the Brazilian showed respect and knowledge about his next opponent, who is a former Cage Warriors (CWFC) lightweight champion.
“With all due respect, he is a seasoned guy, he has faced very tough opponents, but this will be the biggest challenge. If I can come in focused, focusing on what I trained, I think everything will be fine”, said Santos.
During his time away, Léo had to live with two serious injuries, however, according to the fighter, two years were enough time for him to enjoy his family and improve even further as a father and fighter.
"My family is everything. He really put up with me when I was in a bad mood, supported me when I needed it, I don't even have anything to say. I enjoyed my son a little more, I had more time for that. Despite going through that bad time, I didn't let it show to him, I was always on his side”, concluded the lightweight.
Leo Santos He last acted in October 2010, when he defeated compatriot Adriano Martins in a split decision by the judges at UFC 204, in Manchester (England). The athlete had his first fight for Ultimate in 2013, in a clash against William Patolino, in the final of TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) Brazil II. On that occasion, the Rio native beat his opponent by submission in the second round.
Since then, Santos has had five fights for the organization, never being defeated, despite having a draw declared in his fight against Northern Irishman Norman Parke, in 2014. In total, the Brazilian has 19 fights in his professional MMA record, 15 wins, one draw and only three defeats.
UFC Stockholm fight program
MAIN CARD (14pm Brasília time):
Light Heavyweight: Alexander Gustafson x Anthony Smith
Light heavyweight: Jimi Manuwa x Aleksandar rakic
Feather weight: mawan amirkhani x Chris Fishgold
Lightweight: Damir Hadzović x Christos Giagos
Featherweight: Daniel Teymur x Sung Bin Jo
PRELIMINARY CARD (11 p.m. Brasília time):
Welterweight: Sergey Khandozhko vs. Rostem Akman
Bantamweight: Tonya Evinger x Lina Lansberg
Lightweight: Stevie Ray x Leo Santos
Lightweight: Nick Hein x Frank Camacho
Bantamweight: Bea Malecki x Duda Cowboyzinha
Light heavyweight: Darko Stosic x Devin Clark
Lightweight: Joel alvarez x Danilo Belluardo
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