Undefeated in the UFC, Léo Santos complains about the lack of appreciation for Ultimate

Léo is undefeated in the UFC, with five wins and one draw (Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC)

In the UFC since 2013, when he became TUF Brazil 2 champion, Leonardo Santos still doesn't know what it's like to lose in the organization. With five wins and one draw, the lightweight has yet to have a standout fight in the organization, and is not even among the top 15 ranked in the category. Dissatisfied, the Nova União athlete complained about the lack of appreciation, guaranteeing that he did not understand the criteria adopted by the company.

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“We imagine that with victories, things would become simpler. But not quite. I asked for a top 10, I've been undefeated for some time, in one of the most difficult categories, which is lightweight, and the guys didn't give it to me (a highly ranked athlete). What is the reason? I don't know. If you analyze the guy I beat, the Kevin Lee (in December 2015), it is now 10th in the ranking. How can a guy who lost to me be ahead of me in the rankings? So, I can't understand it. I thought it was like that too: as I won, I would have more morale in the event. But it's complicated”, declared the fighter, in an interview with the website 'Combate.com'.

Coming off four consecutive victories, he returns to the octagon at UFC 212, June 3, in Rio de Janeiro, to face Canadian Olivier Aubin-Mercier, who is also not in the division's rankings. Upset with the opponent chosen by the matchmakers, Léo admits that he only accepted the duel because it was an opportunity to play 'at home'.

“The preparation for the fight with Olivier Aubin-Mercier is good, with everything going according to the schedule we established and I am improving every day. Growing daily, focusing on my strengths and analyzing the gaps in his game. But in reality, it wasn't who I wanted to face. I had already challenged 3 fighters who are in the top 10 and the guys didn't give it to me. We complained, they wanted to give me another Brazilian and not ranked. I told them that, in this way, it was complicated, that I wanted to move up, I've been undefeated for six fights, doing my job properly and why wasn't I in the rankings yet? We asked to fight in Rio and they offered this Canadian. Even though we weren’t ranked, because it was in Rio, we ended up accepting the fight”, concluded Santos.

At 37, Leo Santos comes from a victory over compatriot Adriano Martins, in October 2016. In total, he has a record with 16 victories, three setbacks and one draw.

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