Giva Santana was born on November 20th, 1971 and is a Brazilian retired professional mixed martial artist, who last fought in Bellator's Middleweight division.
11 Facts About Giva Santana
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Giva Santana is a decorated jiu-jitsu competitor, both gi and no-gi, and has won numerous titles including the Pan American Championship and the No-Gi World Championship.
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Giva Santana has been training Brazilian jiu-jitsu for 25 years and is a fourth degree black belt under Lotus Club from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Giva Santana was awarded his black belt from Master Moises Muradi on January 23,1999.
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Giva Santana was the head jiu jitsu trainer for Team Oyama where he has trained Rob Emerson, Jared Rollins, Bao Quach, and Ian McCall.
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Giva Santana received the nickname "Arm Collector" because 13 out of his 18 wins are by armbar.
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Giva Santana was scheduled to face Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran David Loiseau at Tachi Palace Fights 10 for the Tachi Palace Fights Middleweight Championship.
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Loiseau pulled out of the fight due to an undisclosed injury requiring surgery, so Giva Santana instead faced former WEC champion Doug Marshall in a middleweight non-title bout which he won by submission in the first round.
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Giva Santana faced Bruno Santos in the quarterfinal match of Bellator season six middleweight tournament on March 16,2012 at Bellator 61.
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Giva Santana faced Brendan Sequin on November 30,2012 at Bellator 82.
11.
Giva Santana faced Jason Butcher on September 7,2013 at Bellator 98 in the quarterfinal match of Bellator Season Nine Middleweight Tournament.