Chute Boxe’s Evangelista Santos always liked the traits he saw in one of his pupils, as they reminded him of a certain character in the animated “ThunderCats” series that was popular in the 1980s. So it was that the “Willycat” moniker was bestowed upon Daniel Gustavo Santos.

“He nicknamed me due to my agility and the fact that I never allow my back to be put down to the mat,” Santos said. “I never stop fighting to stay on my feet. I kept the nickname [after switching gyms]. I like it. I identify with it. In MMA, everyone knows that when you have your back to the mat, you’re losing. I never accept that position. My preference is either ground-and-pound from the top or, better yet, striking on the feet. I like my nickname. I’m the only one who has it, and that’s very cool.”

Santos, 27, will set out in search of his first win under the Ultimate Fighting Championship banner when he confronts Dana White’s Contender Series alum John Castaneda in a UFC Fight Night 211 catchweight showcase—the bout was booked at 140 pounds—on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The Brazilian made his Octagon debut in April, when he dropped a three-round unanimous decision to former two-division Ring of Combat champion Julio Arce at UFC 273. The appearance was Santos’ first since December 2019, the layoff due to circumstances largely out of his control, including the coronavirus pandemic.

“It was nearly three years without any activity,” he said. “It showed in my lack of fighting rhythm, of timing and distance. I couldn’t find the right distance during our fight. Credit goes to him. He controlled the distance well. He avoided my strikes very well. That idle period was tough on me.”

A knee injury suffered in training further stacked the deck against Santos.

“Since I had been anxiously waiting for so long, I went ahead and fought with the injury anyway,” he said. “I don’t blame the injury for my loss. I knew the risks and how tough it would be. I was eager to get my UFC debut done and over with. It was a great opportunity for me. It was a fun fight. Even in a loss, I learned a lot. I should have taken a few steps backward and let him come to me more. I did all the chasing.”

Castaneda will be no walk in the park. The longtime Greg Nelson protégé enters the cage on the strength of back-to-back victories over onetime World Extreme Cagefighting titleholder Eddie Wineland and ex-Legacy Fighting Alliance champion Miles Johns. Castaneda sports 14 finishes among his 19 career wins, seven of them inside one round.

“He’s a complete fighter who mostly wins by knockout or submission,” Santos said. “He seems to prefer the standup game. I think my game is more solid than his, and I hit harder. He controls distance well and has caught opponents by surprise with his punches. I see myself winning by knockout by the second or third round. I’m not underestimating him, but I’m aware of my abilities. Once I connect, he’ll feel my power. I’ll finish the fight.”

Santos operates out of the same Diego Lima-fronted Chute Boxe affiliate that spawned former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, now one of his primary training partners. Preparation does not figure to be an issue.

“We’ve been very focused with a great strategy that we put together,” Santos said. “I’m a complete fighter. I’m as fine with taking people down as I am standing up. I’m looking for a knockout or submission at every moment. I’m aggressive. I like to move forward. I look for the fight. It’s what I like to do. I want to give the fans a show.”

Should all go according to plan for Santos, he hopes to be back in the cage at UFC 283—an event scheduled for Rio de Janeiro on Jan. 21.

“I’m looking forward to getting my arm raised in the end,” he said. “After that, I want to fight in Brazil. It’s my dream. I even have an opponent in mind. God willing, I’ll get this win and get to fight in Brazil next. I want to keep getting better, step by step, within my weight class. Hopefully, in less than two years, I’ll find myself in the Top 10.”