Currently riding a five-fight win streak that includes a 29-second rear-naked choke submission of Doug “The Rhino” Marshall (12-5) at Tachi Palace Fights 10 earlier this month, Bellator Fighting Championships has signed Team Oyama BJJ black belt Giva “The Arm Collector” Santana (16-1) to their middleweight division.
The Brazilian submission specialist earned his nickname “The Arm Collector” by finishing 12 of his 17 opponents via armbar. Eleven of those armbars came in the first round.
Only two fighters have gone the distance with Santana; in the first fight of his career in 2005 he won a unanimous decision over sumo wrestler Noriyiki Miyashita (2-2), and then in Santana’s only defeat, he lost a split decision to veteran Jaime “El Cucui” Jara (31-9, 1 NC) at ShoXC in 2008.
Santana shared his thoughts on Bellator:
“Signing with Bellator is like a dream come true. This is what I’ve been working so hard for. This is why I’ve built up my record – to impress people and to get on the big show. I like to go out there and finish people, and that’s what the fans want. I’m just really excited to have the opportunity to show all of the fans watching on MTV2 what I’m capable of.”
Fight fans can follow “The Arm Collector” on Twitter @GivaSantana.
Could you write about Phiscys so I can pass Science class?