MANAMA, Bahrain – Luan Santiago got back in the win column this past Friday, and wants his belt back.
Santiago (15-4 MMA, 5-2 BCF), a former Brave CF lightweight champion, defeated Gadzhimusa Gaziev by split decision at Brave CF 29 in a super lightweight fight contested at 165 pounds. But he wants to move back down to lightweight, where he briefly held the title.
“For sure, my division is the lightweight division and I want my title belt, my belt back on my waist – so I’m excited to get back to being champion,” Santiago told MMA Junkie.
After a stunning performance earlier this year, knocking out Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady at Brave CF 23, CM System’s Santiago faced fellow Brazilian Cleiton Silva in August. But a tactical error cost him big. He was submitted in the first minute of the fight, and since then, has been anxious to get his belt back.
But Santiago may have to go through surging 155-pound contender and All-Stars Gym Sweden prospect Guram Kutateladze, who picked up a first-round knockout win over Santiago’s teammate, UFC veteran Felipe Silva, on the same night.
And while he wants a title shot next, he’d be happy to avenge his teammate’s loss if he has to, on route to a title shot.
“We are family, you know? You never like to see a brother lose a fight because we are CM System – we are family. So I want to get the win back from my brother’s loss,” Santiago said. “If Guram is in the way of me getting my belt back, I want him. If not, I want to fight Cleiton Silva to get my belt back.”
