Prospect of the Week: Felipe dos Santos (Patreon)

Felipe dos Santos
From: Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil
Camp: Chute Boxe Diego Lima
Weightclass: Flyweight (125lbs)
Age: 21-years-old
Height: Five-foot-seven
Record: 6-0, 1 NC
Methods: 2 KO/TKOs, 3 Submissions
Combined opponents' record: 14-6

Felipe dos Santos comes from the Chute Boxe Diego Lima gym with a ton of excellent fighters. He's been training with the best fighters out of Brazil and is a prodigy of UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.

Santos or more known as "Lipe Detona" brings that Brazilian savagery when he steps into the cage. Detona conducts a muay thai fighting style when he's competing. He excels in the clinch with his elbows and knees while his muay thai plum is stellar. Santos likes to use those elbows throwing them in the clinch, to enter the range like a jab, will throw them upward Anderson Silva style, and really enjoys the spinning elbow.

The Brazilian likes to trade in the pocket and don't mind taking one to give one. He keeps his hands up but does fail to move his head a little more than he should. Detona is comfortable trading as his chin has held up and most likely has more weapons compared to anyone he fights. Detona has those knees, elbows, a long jab, really good chopping leg kicks, and not to mention his hands are sharp. His right cross is sick and as he gets more comfortable he puts his hands together in combinations including attacking the body.

His striking defense isn't his biggest flaw as that is his takedown defense. In almost all of his fights, he was taken down. Even at times comfortable going to his back as his jiu-jitsu is solid. Off his back, he's usually the one offensively active. If he's not fighting the wrist and throwing up the triangle he's shifting his hips for the armbar or he's scrambling to get on top. He fights at a good pace so as the fight goes he gets stronger.

I'd put Detona into the violent category and not just exciting but a lot of upside. Especially at flyweight, I really like the career trajectory of Detona. The kid is only 21 too so the future looks bright.