Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (born November 12, 1986) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist. He was the former Jungle Fight welterweight champion in Brazil[4] and currently competes in welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[1]

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
Born (1986-11-12) November 12, 1986
Francisco Beltrao, Parana, Brazil[1]
Other namesCapoeira
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
DivisionWelterweight
StyleMuay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Capoeira
Fighting out ofCuritiba, Parana, Brazil[2]
TeamCM System
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Cristiano Marcello[3]
Years active2009–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total31
Wins24
By knockout14
By submission3
By decision7
Losses7
By knockout1
By submission2
By decision4
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Zaleski was born in Francisco Beltrao, Parana, Brazil. He grew up training Capoeira aged nine. Zaleski transitioned to MMA at age 20 and started competing professionally soon after.[1]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Zaleski started his MMA career on November 8, 2009, and he fought for many promoters notably Jungle Fight, Smash and Amazon Fight in Brazil. He was the former Jungle Fight welterweight champion and he amassed a record of 14–4 with 13 finishes and 1 decision prior joining UFC.[5]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Zaleski made his promotional debut on May 30, 2015, at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves against Nicolas Dalby.[6] Zaleski outstruck Dalby as he landed 16 more significant strikes, but judges handed the victory via split decision to Dalby as he successfully took Zaleski down six times.[7][8]

He faced Omari Akhmedov on his next fight at UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans on April 16, 2016.[4] He won the fight and claimed his first UFC win via knockout in the third round.[9][10] The fight earned him his first Fight of the Night bonus award.[11]

On October 1, 2016, Zaleski returned to face Keita Nakamura at UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson. After three rounds of fighting, he won the fight via unanimous decision with the score board of (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).[12]

Zaleski faced Lyman Good, former Bellator and CFFC champion, on July 22, 2017, at UFC on Fox: Weidman vs. Gastelum.[13] He won the back-and-forth fight by split decision.[14] The fight also earned him his second Fight of the Night bonus award.[15]

Zaleski faced Max Griffin on October 28, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Machida.[16] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[17][18] The win also earned him his third Fight of the Night bonus award.[19]

Zaleski was expected to face Jack Marshman on March 17, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 127.[20] However, on February 19, 2018, it was announced that Zaleski pulled out of the fight, citing a knee injury.[21] He was replaced by Brad Scott[22]

Zaleski faced Sean Strickland on May 12, 2018, at UFC 224.[23] He won the fight via knockout in the first round.[24]

Zaleski was scheduled to meet Belal Muhammad on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137.[25] However, on September 14, 2018 Muhammad was pulled from the bout and he was replaced by newcomer Luigi Vendramini.[26] He won the fight via knockout in round two.[27]

Zaleski was scheduled to face Li Jingliang on November 25, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 141.[28] However on October 27, 2018, it was reported that Zaleski withdrew from the bout due to a partial ligament tear in his right knee.[29]

Zaleski faced Curtis Millender on March 9, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 146.[30] He won the fight via submission in the first round.[31]

Zaleski was expected to face Neil Magny on May 18, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 151.[32] However, on March 28, 2019 dos Santos announced that he had not been contacted by the UFC about the match.[33]

A pairing with Li Jingliang was rescheduled and took place on August 31, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 157.[34] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.[35]

As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Zaleski faced Alexey Kunchenko on March 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170.[36][37] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[38]

As the first fight of his new, four-fight contract, Zaleski faced Muslim Salikhov on July 11, 2020 at UFC 251.[39][40] He lost the fight via a split decision.[41]

Zaleski was expected to face promotional newcomer Shavkat Rakhmonov on October 24, 2020 at UFC 254.[42] However, Zaleski pulled out in late September due to a knee injury that required surgery.[43]

Zaleski faced promotional newcomer Benoît Saint-Denis on October 30, 2021 at UFC 267.[44] After nearly finishing Saint-Denis in round two, he won the bout via unanimous decision.[45]

Zaleski was scheduled to face Mounir Lazzez on April 16, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 34.[46] However, Zaleski dos Santos withdrew the week of the fight due to personal reasons and was replaced by Ange Loosa.[47][48]

On September 22, 2022, it was announced that USADA suspended Zaleski for 1 year after testing positive for ostarine in an out-of-competition test on March 14, 2022. Zaleski and his team contended that the test was due to a contaminated supplement. He is eligible to return on March 14, 2023.[49]

Zaleski faced Abubakar Nurmagomedov June 3, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 46.[50] He won the fight via split decision.[51]

Zaleski is scheduled to face Rinat Fakhretdinov on November 4, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 231.[52]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Personal life

His moniker "Capoeira” was coined as he started his combat sport in Capoeira.[1]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
31 matches 24 wins 7 losses
By knockout 14 1
By submission 3 2
By decision 7 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 24–7 Abubakar Nurmagomedov Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Kara-France vs. Albazi June 3, 2023 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 23–7 Benoît Saint-Denis Decision (unanimous) UFC 267 October 30, 2021 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Zaleski dos Santos was deducted 1 point in round 3 due to a groin strike.
Loss 22–7 Muslim Salikhov Decision (split) UFC 251 July 12, 2020 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 22–6 Alexey Kunchenko Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira March 14, 2020 3 5:00 Brasília, Brazil
Loss 21–6 Li Jingliang TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang August 31, 2019 3 4:51 Shenzhen, China
Win 21–5 Curtis Millender Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos March 9, 2019 1 2:35 Wichita, Kansas, United States
Win 20–5 Luigi Vendramini KO (flying knee and punches) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Anders September 22, 2018 2 1:20 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 19–5 Sean Strickland KO (spinning wheel kick and punches) UFC 224 May 12, 2018 1 3:40 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 18–5 Max Griffin Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Machida October 28, 2017 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil Fight of the Night.
Win 17–5 Lyman Good Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Weidman vs. Gastelum July 22, 2017 3 5:00 Uniondale, New York, United States Fight of the Night.
Win 16–5 Keita Nakamura Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lineker vs. Dodson October 1, 2016 3 5:00 Portland, Oregon, United States
Win 15–5 Omari Akhmedov TKO (knees and punches) UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans April 16, 2016 3 3:03 Tampa, Florida, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 14–5 Nicolas Dalby Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves May 30, 2015 3 5:00 Goiânia, Brazil
Win 14–4 Eduardo Ramon Submission (rear-naked choke) Jungle Fight 75 December 18, 2014 2 2:07 Belém, Brazil Defended the Jungle Fight Welterweight Championship.
Win 13–4 Itamar Rosa KO (punches) Jungle Fight 71 July 19, 2014 1 1:59 São Paulo, Brazil Won the vacant Jungle Fight Welterweight Championship.
Win 12–4 Rodrigo Souza KO (punches) Jungle Fight 65 February 2, 2014 2 2:57 Bahia, Brazil
Win 11–4 Josenildo Ramalho KO (punches) Jungle Fight 59 October 12, 2013 1 2:42 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Loss 10–4 Guilherme Vasconcelos Submission (rear-naked choke) Jungle Fight 54 June 29, 2013 2 2:20 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 10–3 Ricardo Silva KO (punches) Smash Fight May 3, 2013 1 1:16 Curitiba, Brazil Welterweight Tournament Final.
Win 9–3 Gilmar Dutra Lima KO (punch) Smash Fight May 3, 2013 1 0:27 Curitiba, Brazil Welterweight Tournament Semifinal.
Loss 8–3 Franklin Jensen Decision (unanimous) Sparta MMA September 29, 2012 3 5:00 Itajai, Brazil
Win 8–2 Misael Chamorro Submission (rear-naked choke) Beltrão Combat May 19, 2012 2 1:35 Francisco Beltrão, Brazil
Loss 7–2 Viscardi Andrade Submission (rear-naked choke) Max Fight 11 March 17, 2012 2 1:27 São Paulo, Brazil
Loss 7–1 José de Ribamar Decision (split) Amazon Fight 10 December 7, 2011 3 5:00 Belém, Brazil
Win 7–0 Jackson Pontes TKO (punches) Max Fight 10 November 10, 2011 1 2:42 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 6–0 João Paulo Prado TKO (retirement) Vale Fighting Championship August 6, 2011 2 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 5–0 Misael Chamorro TKO (punches) Big Bold's Night November 13, 2010 1 N/A Cascavel, Brazil
Win 4–0 Dyego Roberto TKO (body kick) Samurai Fight Combat 3 April 25, 2010 3 4:16 Curitiba, Brazil
Win 3–0 Christian Tide Squeti Decision (split) Londrina Fight Show 1 December 13, 2009 3 5:00 Londrina, Brazil
Win 2–0 Wellington Morgenstern KO (punches) B33 Fight 8 November 15, 2009 1 0:00 Ponta Grossa, Brazil
Win 1–0 Douglas Jandozo KO (punches) G1: Open Fight 7 November 8, 2009 1 3:03 Joaquim Tavora, Brazil

[53]

See also

References

  1. "Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos - Official UFC® Fighter Profile". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  2. "Elizeu Zaleski ("Capoeira") | MMA Fighter Page | Tapology". Tapology. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  3. "Interview: Elizeu Capoeira explains the jiu-jitsu detail that gave him the win at UFC Wichita". graciemag.com. March 14, 2019.
  4. "Akhmedov vs. Zaleski added to UFC on FOX 19". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  5. Sherdog.com. "Elizeu". Sherdog. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  6. "Nicolas Dalby vs Elizeu "Capoeira" reportedly set for UFC Fight Night 67". SevereMMA.com - UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Irish MMA. 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  7. "Eliseu Zaleski dos Santos vs Nicolas Dalby Full Fight UFC Fight Night 67 Part 3 MMA Video". MMA-Core. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  8. Mazique, Brian. "UFC Fight Night 67 Results: Winners, Scorecards from Condit vs. Alves Fight Card". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  9. "UFC on FOX 19 results: Relentless Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos stops Omari Akhmedov". MMAjunkie. 2016-04-16. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  10. "Eliseu Zaleski vs Omari Akhmedov UFC on Fox 19 Full Fight Part 1 MMA Video". MMA-Core. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  11. "UFC on FOX 19 bonuses: Teixeira, Chiesa, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, Akhmedov net $50k". MMAjunkie. 2016-04-17. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  12. Ravens, Andrew (2016-10-01). "UFC Fight Night 96 Preliminary Results: Luis Henrique da Silva Submits Joachim Christensen". LowKickMMA.com. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  13. "UFC on FOX 25 in New York takes shape with slew of new additions". MMAjunkie. 2017-05-30. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  14. "UFC on FOX 25 results: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos decisions Lyman Good in entertaining affair". MMAjunkie. 2017-07-23. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  15. "UFC on FOX 25 bonuses: Brazilians hit it big". MMAjunkie. 2017-07-23. Retrieved 2017-07-23.
  16. "Three fights added to UFC Sao Paulo". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-09-15.
  17. "UFC Fight Night 119 results: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos outworks Max Griffin in slugfest". MMAjunkie. 2017-10-29. Retrieved 2017-10-29.
  18. "UFC Fight Night 119 bonuses: Derek Brunson's decimation of Machida was worth an extra $50,000". MMAjunkie. 2017-10-29. Retrieved 2017-10-29.
  19. Staff (2017-10-29). "UFC Fight Night 119 bonuses: Derek Brunson's decimation of Machida was worth an extra $50,000". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-10-29.
  20. Marcel Dorff (2018-01-17). "Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos fights Jack Marshman during UFC London" (in Dutch). mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
  21. "Capoeira sofre lesão e está fora da luta contra Jack Marshman, no UFC Londres". Sportv (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-02-20.
  22. Staff (2018-02-26). "Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos out, Jack Marshman meets Bradley Scott at UFC-London". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-02-26.
  23. Marcelo Barone (2018-03-23). "Elizeu Capoeira faces Sean Strickland at UFC Rio in May". sportv.globo.com (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2018-03-23.
  24. "UFC 224 results: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos decks Sean Strickland with highlight-reel spinning kick". MMAjunkie. 2018-05-13. Retrieved 2018-05-13.
  25. "Belal Muhammad vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos added to UFC Fight Night 137 in Brazil". MMAjunkie. 2018-07-13. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  26. "Undefeated newcomer Luigi Vendramini replaces Belal Muhammad at UFC Sao Paulo". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-09-17.
  27. "UFC Sao Paulo results: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos wins sixth straight, calls out Robbie Lawler". MMAjunkie. 2018-09-22. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  28. Sherdog.com. "Report: Welterweight Clash Between Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos and Li Jingliang added to UFC Beijing". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  29. "Knee injury forces Elizeu Zaleski out of UFC Beijing". www.mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2018-10-28.
  30. Camilo Pinheiro Machado and Marcelo Barone (2019-01-15). "In search of the seventh UFC win, Elizeu Capoeira faces Curtis Millender on March 9 in Kansas" (in Portuguese). sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 2019-01-15.
  31. Cole, Ross (2019-03-10). "Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Taps Out Curtis Millender Quickly At UFC Fight Night 146". MMA Insight. Retrieved 2019-03-10.
  32. Marcel Dorff (2019-03-27). "UFC Rochester gets Co-Main Event between Neil Magny and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos" (in Dutch). mmadnanl.com. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  33. Rezende, Lucas (2019-03-28). "Zaleski denies reports of Magny bout at UFC Rochester, Chiesa backs him up". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2019-03-30.
  34. Farah Hannoun (2019-07-10). "Li Jingliang vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos added to UFC on ESPN+ 15 in China". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-07-10.
  35. Anderson, Jay (2019-08-31). "UFC Shenzhen Results: Li Jingliang Stops Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-08-31.
  36. Marcel Dorff. "Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos treft Alexey Kunchenko tijdens UFC Brasilia" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  37. Guilherme Cruz (March 25, 2020). "Elizeu Zaleski wants to 'see what the UFC has to offer' after last fight of contract". mmafighting.com.
  38. Evanoff, Josh (2020-03-14). "UFC Brasilia Results: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Takes Decision Over Alexey Kunchenko". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  39. Farah Hannouon (2020-06-16). "Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Muslim Salikhov added to UFC 251 in Abu Dhabi". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-06-16.
  40. Guilherme Cruz (July 11, 2020). "Elizeu Zaleski looking forward to 'Capoeira vs. King of Kung Fu' matchup at UFC 251". mmafighting.com.
  41. Fuentes, Jon (2020-07-11). "UFC 251 Results: Muslim Salikhov Takes Close Decision Over Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  42. Marcel Dorff (2020-09-11). "Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov added to UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2022-04-13. (in Dutch)
  43. Diego Ribas and Natássia del Fischer (2020-09-30). "Elizeu 'Capoeira' injuries his knee ligament and is out of UFC 254". agfight.com. Retrieved 2020-09-30. (in Portuguese)
  44. Marcel Dorff (2021-10-02). "Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos treft ongeslagen Benoît St.Denis tijdens UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  45. Bitter, Shawn (2021-10-30). "UFC 267 Results: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Dominates Benoit Saint-Denis". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-30.
  46. Cruz, Guilherme (2022-02-08). "UFC adds Elizeu Zaleski vs. Mounir Lazzez to April 16 event". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-02-09.
  47. Guilherme Cruz (2022-04-11). "Elizeu Zaleski withdraws from UFC Vegas 51 fight with Mounir Lazzez due to personal reasons". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
  48. Farah Hannoun (April 12, 2022). "Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos out of UFC on ESPN 34; Ange Loosa steps in to fight Mounir Lazzez". MMAjunkie.com.
  49. "Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Accepts Sanction for Violation of UFC Anti-Doping Policy | UFC". www.ufc.com. 2022-09-22. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
  50. Cruz, Guilherme (2023-04-25). "Elizeu Zaleski returns from suspension against Abubakar Nurmagomedov at UFC Vegas 74". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  51. Dewar, Val (2023-06-03). "UFC Vegas 74: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Wins Razor-Thin Split Decision Over Abubakar Nurmagomedov". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-06-04.
  52. Zubkiewicz, Bartłomiej (2023-08-22). "Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos kontra Rinat Fakhretdinov na UFC Sao Paulo | MMAROCKS". MMA Rocks! (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-08-29.
  53. Sherdog.com. "Elizeu". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
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