 Upon immigrating to the United States, Santos taught in Rorion Gracie's academy in Torrance, California.He later opened his own academy in San Diego, California.In the early UFC events, Santos can be seen ringside with the Gracie family and Pedro Sauer, most notably in UFC 3 when he entered the ring to yell at Joe Son who had been taunting the corner after a fatigued and dehydrated Royce Gracie defeated Joe's friend, Kimo Leopoldo.