Djorden Ribeiro dos Santos didn’t let the odds get in the way of his dreams.
The Brazilian was one of five fighters to earn a UFC contract on Week 4 of Dana White’s Contender Series on Tuesday night, as he outdueled English prospect Will Currie to earn a unanimous decision triumph at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
“I got really happy about [Dana White’s] words. He summarized my history,” Santos said. “I knew Currie would be a hell of a challenge. The guy was the No. 1 in the UK for a reason, but the fact of being a 4-1 underdog just motivated me.”
Santos came from a difficult life to pursue his goal of becoming a professional fighter.
“I left my mom’s house when I was 13 years old and went to live in [Belo Horizonte]. Since I didn’t have money and anywhere to sleep, I lived in a pitbull kennel. My mother started sending me around $10 a week to help me. At the beginning, I had to eat biscuits and [drink] those artificial powder juices. But I started to make friends and found my path training MMA.”
Djorden reveals that his goal has always been to be an MMA fighter, so he trained all aspects of the sport from the beginning.
“I’m a jiu-jitsu brown belt and also achieved good results in boxing competing outside of Brazil representing our national team, but my goal has always been to get in the UFC,” he said.
Santos now trains in Brasilia with the Bonfim brothers, both of whom are in the UFC.
“The structure and excellent trainers we have at Bonfim Brothers has been really important to me. I have evolved a lot since I came here,” he said.
Asked about his inspiration to reach higher levels, Santos immediately points to his idol.
“Anderson Silva is my idol in MMA. He always inspired me to be a complete fighter,” he said. “Being in the UFC fighting in his division is like I’m dreaming awake. But I know that’s just the beginning of my path. I want and I will be a UFC champion.”
