Yasmim Bonfim has been Mairon Santos’ rock, supporting him as a fighter, a husband, and now a father.
Highlights
- Mairon Santos is a rising star in the UFC featherweight division with an impressive 15-1-0 record who achieved his decade-long dream of reaching the UFC by winning season 32 of The Ultimate Fighter.
- Santos and his wife Yasmim Bonfim welcomed their son Ayron in January 2025, which Santos describes as a blessing that has further motivated him in his fighting career.
- Yasmim has been an essential support system throughout Santos’ career journey, publicly expressing her belief in him and pride in his accomplishments while standing by him through the challenges of training camps.
Mairon Santos Alves, known by his nickname “The Legend” or “A Lenda,” has rapidly established himself as one of the most promising fighters in the UFC’s featherweight division.
At just 24 years old, the Brazilian fighter boasts an impressive professional MMA record of 15-1-0, riding a current winning streak of five victories.
Born on June 10, 2000, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Santos now trains out of Las Vegas, Nevada, with the renowned Xtreme Couture team under head coach Erick Nicksick.
Standing at 5’9″ and with a 72-inch reach, Santos’s orthodox stance and explosive fighting style make him a formidable presence in the octagon.
His journey to the UFC came through season 32 of The Ultimate Fighter, which he won in spectacular fashion with a second-round knockout of Kaan Ofli in August 2024.
During the competition, Santos overcame significant challenges, including difficult weight cuts and injuries between fights, demonstrating his resilience and determination.
Santos often reflects on his long journey to reach the UFC, noting that he had been working toward this dream since he was 14 years old. Santos shared,
“My dream was always to be in the UFC since I was 14 and I’ve been 10 years working for that. And, at some point, I thought, oh my God, when is this going to happen? Now, it happened, and in the blink of a second, I’m in the UFC, I achieved my dream.”
UFC
With his most recent fight taking place on March 8, 2025, Santos continues to climb the ranks while setting his sights on the ultimate prize – the UFC featherweight championship belt.
With His Wife, Yasmim Bonfim, By His Side, Mairon Santos Embraces Fatherhood
Behind every successful fighter is a strong support system, and for Mairon Santos, that foundation is his wife, Yasmim Bonfim.
The couple married on November 19, 2023, marking the official beginning of their journey together.
Yasmim, who hails from Duque de Caxias, Rio de Janeiro, and now lives in Rio de Janeiro, has been Santos’ rock throughout his fighting career.
Their relationship took a new direction when they welcomed their first child, Ayron, on January 19, 2025.
The birth of their son represented a significant milestone for the couple, with Santos describing it as “a blessing” that changed his life.
Despite the challenges of balancing fatherhood with the demands of professional fighting, Santos has embraced his new role with characteristic determination.
When asked about adjusting to fatherhood while preparing for fights, Santos shared,
“Actually, it’s easier than I thought because I’m so happy. Having him is a blessing and I always dreamed about this. So, for me, nothing changed.”
UFC
If anything, becoming a father has only intensified Santos’ drive to succeed in the octagon, with the fighter noting,
“I didn’t know that I could be more motivated because I’m very motivated to achieve my dreams, but with him, I know that I’m even more motivated.”
UFC
Yasmim has been vocal about her support for her husband throughout his career.
Following Santos’ victory on The Ultimate Fighter, she took to Instagram to celebrate his achievement, writing,
“My forever champ… best moments, best day! God has the perfect timing for all things!”
Instagram
She acknowledged the difficulties of his training camps but expressed gratitude for being able to witness firsthand his dedication, effort, and determination. Yasmim wrote,
“I believed in you from the day I met you. I believe in you since when you first told me your dream, and even with a very difficult road to get here, you did it! I admire you forever! I love you, champion!! Your baby will be very proud of the father he has.”
Instagram
Their relationship is characterized by deep mutual affection, as evidenced by Yasmim’s Valentine’s Day message to Santos in February 2024, where she poetically declared her eternal love for him:
“Hours, days, months, light years loving you. Yesterday, today, always, eternally I will love you.”
Instagram
As Mairon Santos continues his ascent in the UFC, with dreams of following in the footsteps of Brazilian champion Alex Pereira, Yasmim Bonfim remains his steadfast partner, sharing in the triumphs and challenges of their journey together, now enhanced by the joy of raising their son Ayron.
Additional Information
- Despite his preference for striking, Santos often faces opponents who attempt to take the fight to the ground, as he’s noted that “they never want to strike with me.”
- Santos initially hoped to compete again before the end of 2024 after winning The Ultimate Fighter, maintaining his training regimen with only a brief one-month break to stay prepared for his next opportunity in the octagon.
- He considers fighting on the same card as his fellow Brazilian champion Alex Pereira to be a significant milestone, jokingly referring to them as “two Alexes” fighting on the same night – foreshadowing his ambition to follow Pereira’s championship path.
