Placido Santos

Biography

Placido Santos is a Brazilian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt and professional submission grappler, widely known in the community as the "World's Most Famous Uke" due to his extensive appearances in instructional content produced by John Danaher and his students. Beyond this public role, he is an accomplished competitor representing Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu.

Placido Santos competes primarily in the 91kg division and has earned multiple titles at major no-gi tournaments, including victories at ADCC Open events. He has also delivered strong performances at the ADCC Trials and, in December 2025, won No-Gi Worlds at brown belt—demonstrating that his skill set and competitive ability extend well beyond the perception of being solely a training partner.

His style reflects the analytical, system-based methodology of the Kingsway camp, combining strong positional control with aggressive submission hunting. Placido Santos is particularly proficient with the inside heel hook and the rear naked, applying both with structured precision. His results on the circuit and his role within one of the world’s top grappling teams highlight his growing influence in the sport.

Personal

* Legend status is reserved for retired athletes with outstanding achievements and a lasting impact on the sport.

Rankings