UFC prospect Djorden Santos challenges undefeated middleweight and details move to American Top Team

Djorden Santos at UFC weigh-in. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @djordensantosufc

In search of returning to the path of victory and determined to turn his life upside down to achieve this feat, Djorden Santos is preparing for a triumphant return to the UFC octagon. After a failed debut where he was defeated in a controversial scorecard by the judges, the Brazilian decided to give up his comfort zone to evolve professionally in MMA.

In an exclusive interview to SUPER FIGHTS, 'Shakur' as he is known, revealed behind the scenes details of his decision to move to the United States, moving away from his wife and family; he celebrated the opportunity to train at the renowned American Top Team and named names he wants to face next in his middleweight career (up to 83,9kg).

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“It was kind of a shock for everyone, including me. It wasn’t something I had in mind until I lost the fight, until the result, the experience during the fight week. I saw that there were things I could improve on, so it was something very new. I made this decision to return to Brazil. My stopover was in Miami, Las Vegas was very cold and I don’t adapt to the cold, because I’m from Brasília and it’s very hot there. But when I arrived in Miami, there was sunshine, a very cool energy, similar to Brazil.”

Djorden during training in Brasilia. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @djordensantosufc

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Change of gym

Deciding to live in Miami, Djorden was quickly welcomed by American Top Team, a training center that houses athletes such as Alexandre pantoja, Dustin poirier, Renato Moicano and diverse talents. According to the Brazilian, the experience has been of great value.

“I arrived with the full support of American Top Team. I am in the house that belongs to the gym, it is a house for athletes. I live with Omar Sy, who is going to fight against Alonzo Menifield June 14th. It’s a very competitive environment, we’re always here helping each other, always with our heads in the competition, we breathe, sleep and wake up with this. It’s been a positive factor in this new journey. It’s an immersion that has yielded good results. It was very difficult at first, because I missed the guys, my wife, the comfort of home (…) but in the end, the weight on the scale was for the opportunities I’m having here and the doors I’m opening.”

Djorden Santos currently trains at American Top Team. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @djordensantosufc

Valued by UFC

Protagonist of an exciting fight in his debut against Ozzy Diaz, Santos realized that every race generated positive results with the organization. Despite several invitations to immediately join big UFC events, the fighter explained the reason for denying opportunities.

“As soon as I got back from my fight, I was suspended for 45 days. Even though I didn’t get knocked out, my fight was very tough. It’s funny that when I got to the US, I think I was still suspended, and the UFC called me and asked me to fight in Canada. I didn’t even have an opponent yet. They just asked if I wanted to be on the card. So I said: ‘I came here, I moved, I changed teams. I could take this fight, but I’m going to be loyal to my fans and I’m going to respect my time of evolution.’”

“And then they offered me another fight in June, which would be at International Fight Week (UFC 317), so even though I didn't get that fight, I'm very happy that they sent me big events, wanting a show. I think they really liked my debut.”

Djorden Santos after fighting Ozzy Diaz. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @djordensantosufc

next opponent

With his sights set on the vast middleweight roster, Shakur wants nothing more than to ruin the division's 'folk athlete' unbeaten run. In addition to Torrez Finney, Djorden pointed out a second option if the rival decides to avoid confrontation.

“Today I look at the middleweight division and I see two fights that would really brighten my eyes: Torrez Finney, he is an undefeated guy, he has a certain popularity, he has fought three times in the Contender Series. He is a guy who, if I'm not mistaken, trains here in Florida, so we are in the same region, it would be a good duel to see who is the king of Florida. I came from Brazil to dominate. I have already made it very clear to the UFC that I wanted to fight him. He is a guy who has boring, ugly, boring fights and I would love to put this guy to fight (...) probably in one round, one and a half rounds he would already succumb, it would be fantastic to get my first knockout in the organization”

“The second is a guy I wanted to fight in my debut, which didn’t work out and he later lost to a guy here at the gym who was the champion of the last season of The Ultimate Fighter, Ryan Loder. Wrestler from Ohio, was knocked out in his debut. We are two guys who had a setback in our debut, but we are high level, this loss does not define us. It would be TUF against Contender Series, striking vs. grappling”

Torrez Finney (right) in victory at the Dana White Contender Series. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Desire for grappling athletes

Despite being known for his high talent in boxing and his aggressive style, Djorden guarantees that he is ready to face opponents with a leading position in grappling.

“I have (confidence) in my grappling, in my takedown defense. I didn’t have the opportunity to show my ground game, but I’m a black belt, I have jiu-jitsu to trade, if you look at 80, 90% of my victories are by submission, I have jiu-jitsu to show. I just arrived in the UFC, I have a lot to show”, he concluded.