Leandro Higo Bio
Leandro Higo is a Brazilian mixed martial artist competing in the Bantamweight division of Bellator MMA. Born on January 19, 1989, he has been a professional competitor since 2006 and has also fought in Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Legacy Fighting Alliance.
Early Life and Background
Leandro Higo was born in Rio Grande Do Norte, Brazil. Details about his early family life and education are limited, but he developed his skills in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, earning a black belt in the discipline. His residence remains in Rio Grande Do Norte, where he continues to train and develop his fighting career.
Path to MMA
Higo began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2006. He competed initially in regional promotions, gradually building his reputation. His early career included participation in notable organizations like Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Legacy Fighting Alliance, where he won bantamweight titles and gained recognition for his grappling and submission skills.
Leandro Higo Career
Early Career (2006–2015)
Leandro Higo started his professional MMA journey in 2006, competing in various regional circuits in Brazil. His early career was marked by steady progress and development of his grappling and striking abilities. He gained significant momentum with key victories that showcased his submission skills and tactical fighting approach.
In 2015, Higo made his debut in Resurrection Fighting Alliance, securing a rear-naked choke submission win over Terrion Ware. This victory marked a turning point, leading to further success in higher-profile promotions.
Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Legacy Fighting Alliance Breakthrough (2015–2017)
Higo captured the RFA Bantamweight title with a first-round rear-naked choke submission against Joey Miolla. He then transitioned to Legacy Fighting Alliance, where he won the inaugural LFA Bantamweight Championship by defeating Steven Peterson via unanimous decision. These achievements established him as a top contender in the bantamweight division and opened doors to larger organizations.
Bellator MMA Era (2017–Present)
Leandro Higo made his Bellator debut in 2017 as a late replacement against Eduardo Dantas, losing via split decision. He quickly rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Joe Taimanglo. In 2018, Higo earned a title shot against Darrion Caldwell but lost by first-round submission. He briefly moved up to featherweight, facing Aaron Pico but suffered a technical knockout loss.
Returning to bantamweight, Higo secured notable victories including a submission win over Shawn Bunch and a split decision win against Darrion Caldwell despite missing weight. He continued to compete in Bellator’s bantamweight division, participating in the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix and securing wins by submission and decision. In 2023, Higo won a guillotine choke submission against Nikita Mikhailov and defeated James Gallagher by unanimous decision in 2024.
Driving Style and Strengths
Leandro Higo is known for his strong Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills, holding a black belt in the discipline. His grappling and submission abilities are his primary strengths, complemented by tactical striking. He adapts well to different fight scenarios and has shown resilience and strategic fight management throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Higo’s career highlights include winning the RFA and LFA Bantamweight Championships and competing for the Bellator Bantamweight title. His victory over Shawn Bunch via submission and his recent wins in Bellator’s top bantamweight bouts mark significant milestones. His participation in the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix further underscores his status as an elite competitor.
Leandro Higo Career Wins
Leandro Higo has accumulated a total of 23 professional wins out of 30 fights. His victories include knockouts, submissions, and decisions, reflecting a versatile and well-rounded fighting skill set.
Bellator MMA Highlights
In Bellator MMA, Higo has secured multiple wins, including a notable submission victory over Shawn Bunch and decision wins against top contenders like Joe Taimanglo and Darrion Caldwell. His recent submission win against Nikita Mikhailov and unanimous decision over James Gallagher highlight his continued competitiveness at the highest level.
Other Wins & Performances
Outside Bellator, Higo captured the Resurrection Fighting Alliance Bantamweight title and the Legacy Fighting Alliance Bantamweight Championship. These regional titles were pivotal in his rise to prominence and entry into major MMA promotions.
Leandro Higo Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
There is limited public information about Leandro Higo’s family background beyond his Brazilian heritage and residence in Rio Grande Do Norte.
Personal Life
Leandro Higo has a son. Further details about his personal relationships or marital status are not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
Leandro Higo is set to compete in the 2025 Professional Fighters League Bantamweight Tournament. His scheduled quarterfinal bout has seen opponent changes due to injuries, with Higo ultimately facing Marcirley Alves and losing via split decision. This participation marks a new chapter in his career as he transitions to the PFL, aiming to leverage his extensive experience and grappling prowess to contend for the title.