Getting cut by the UFC in 2006 was a disappointing – but temporary – setback for Jorge Santiago (23-8 MMA, 1-2 UFC).In fact, he's taken it out on his opponents while amassing an 11-1 record ever since being jettisoned. He even cleaned his slate entirely and avenged his one loss to during the streak, to Mamed Khalidov.
The reward for his efforts came in the form of a fresh contract proposal from the UFC, which he gladly accepted. He's been immediately thrown into the deep end of the pool and is scheduled to face rising contender Brian Stann (10-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) right out of the gate.
The pair squares off on the main card at UFC 130, which takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs live on pay-per-view and is headlined by a light-heavyweight matchup between Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Matt Hamill.
"I'm very happy, very excited," Santiago recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) regarding his UFC return. "I knew one day it would come. I'm just happy I came in at the right time, at the right place and with the right fight."
Despite his overwhelming success in Strikeforce and World Victory Road's Sengoku event series, the 30-year-old Brazilian is well aware he's a virtual unknown to the vast majority of UFC fans.
"It's a new beginning," Santiago said. "Everything I've done in Japan is over, and now I have to come back here and do everything again. Of course, it was good to experience fighting in other places and the tournaments. Now I have to prove to the fans I belong with the top contenders."
The timing could not be better since the UFC middleweight division is starving for quality, credible challengers for longtime champion Anderson Silva.
If past performances are any indication of future performances, Santiago should fit in quite nicely with his kill-or-be-killed approach; 21 of his 23 career victories have come by way of knockout or submission.
Look no further than his most recent fight, which came this past August against Kazuo Misaki. It was a knockdown, drag-out barnburner that's essentially a microcosm of the kind of fighting spirit put forth by Santiago on a routine basis.
A memorable winning effort against Stann likely would thrust him into title contention, but it won't come easy.
"Very tough opponent," Santiago said. "I come in here and have a good challenge. He's improving with every fight. He's getting better and better. I need to come in the UFC and show what I can do."
Stann had his best career win to date with a first round knockout of Chris Leben at UFC 125. Leben had only been stopped due to strikes once prior in his long career, and that was courtesy of then-UFC newcomer Silva.
Santiago has prepared for Saturday's fight in Florida at Imperial Athletics, which has essentially turned into an American Top Team splinter group with the likes of Antonio Silva, Gesias Cavalcante, and brothers Yuri and Danillo Villefort. UFC light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans was also on hand in recent weeks helping Santiago, specifically with his wrestling.
With all the hard work now complete, the crosshairs are squarely aimed at his full-circle moment on Saturday night. It's a moment that has been a long time coming and one he's earned.
"They treat me so good, the UFC," Santiago said. "I can't complain. It's a good shot for me.
"The only thing I can give the UFC back is come inside the cage and give one of those fights of the night."
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