Leandro Higo
Leandro Higo (born January 19, 1989) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2006, he has also competed for Resurrection Fighting Alliance and Legacy Fighting Alliance. Known by the ring name “Alter,” Higo has built a reputation as a durable grappler with a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a well-rounded striking game developed across more than two decades of training.
Early Life and Background
Leandro Higo was born on January 19, 1989, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Growing up in northeastern Brazil, he was raised in a region with a strong martial arts culture, and he began training in combat sports at a young age. The region produced a steady stream of competitive fighters, and Higo followed that pathway, channeling his early athletic interests into Brazilian jiu-jitsu and eventually mixed martial arts.
He later developed into a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, reflecting the depth of his grappling foundation. Standing 173 cm tall with a 183 cm reach and competing at 66 kg, Higo’s frame is well suited to the bantamweight class, where he has spent the majority of his professional career. His combination of technical grappling and physical attributes helped shape his identity as a fighter as he moved into the regional circuits in his late teens.
Path to MMA
Higo began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2006 at the age of 17, fighting on the regional Brazilian circuit. Like many fighters from his region, he started on small local shows, building a record and gaining the experience needed to attract attention from larger promotions. His early career was marked by steady progression rather than instant stardom, a common path for prospects developing outside the major capitals of Brazilian MMA.
As his resume grew, Higo earned opportunities to compete on televised competitions, including a spot on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 in the Bantamweight division. He defeated Maycon Silvan in the elimination round via first-round arm-triangle choke but was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Bruno Rodrigues Mesquita via first-round rear-naked choke. Higo later accepted a replacement bout against Matheus Mattos after Giovanni Santos withdrew, but a rib injury forced him out of the contest. Despite the setback, the exposure from the reality series helped elevate his profile among international promotions.
Leandro Higo Career
Early Career (2006–2015)
During his early professional years, Higo competed primarily on the Brazilian regional scene, sharpening his skills and compiling wins across a range of opponents. His grappling-heavy style and finishing ability made him a difficult matchup, and he steadily built the kind of record that draws the attention of U.S.-based organizations.
In 2015, Higo made his Resurrection Fighting Alliance debut on August 21, 2015, defeating Terrion Ware by rear-naked choke at the end of round three at RFA 29. Following a first-round victory over Melvin Blumer at RFA 32, he captured the RFA Bantamweight title with a first-round rear-naked choke win against Joey Miolla at RFA 37. He then won the inaugural Legacy Fighting Alliance Bantamweight Championship by defeating Steven Peterson via unanimous decision at LFA 1.
Bellator MMA Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Higo made his Bellator debut as a late replacement for Darrion Caldwell against Bantamweight titlist Eduardo Dantas in a non-title bout at Bellator 177, losing via split decision. He bounced back by defeating Joe Taimanglo via unanimous decision on October 6, 2017, at Bellator 184, which set up a title opportunity.
On March 2, 2018, Higo challenged Darrion Caldwell for the Bellator Bantamweight Championship at Bellator 195 but lost via first-round guillotine choke. He briefly moved up to Featherweight to face Aaron Pico at Bellator 206 on September 29, 2018, losing via technical knockout in round one. Returning to Bantamweight, Higo stopped Shawn Bunch via second-round submission at Bellator 228 on September 28, 2019, and signed a new exclusive multi-fight contract with Bellator.
PFL Era (2025–Present)
On February 21, 2025, the promotion officially revealed that Higo joined the 2025 PFL Bantamweight Tournament, marking a new chapter in his career. In the quarterfinal, Higo was scheduled to face Magomed Magomedov on April 11, 2025, at PFL 2, but Magomedov withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Josh Rettinghouse. Rettinghouse was then not medically cleared and was replaced by Marcirley Alves, and Higo lost the fight via split decision.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Higo is best known for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu base, holding a black belt in the discipline. His record shows finishing ability across submissions, knockouts, and decisions, with a strong submission grappling arsenal that includes rear-naked chokes and arm-triangle chokes. He is comfortable fighting at a measured pace, but he has also shown a willingness to move up in weight when matchups demand it.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Higo’s career highlights are winning the RFA Bantamweight title, capturing the inaugural LFA Bantamweight Championship, and earning a Bellator Bantamweight title shot against Darrion Caldwell. He has faced several high-profile opponents, including Eduardo Dantas, Aaron Pico, and James Gallagher, whom he defeated via unanimous decision at Bellator Champions Series 1 on March 22, 2024.
Leandro Higo Career Wins
Across his professional career, Leandro Higo has compiled 23 wins in 30 total bouts, with victories by decision, knockout, and submission. His finishes have come against a mix of regional veterans, RFA and LFA champions, and established Bellator contenders.
Bellator Highlights
Since his 2017 debut, Higo has picked up notable wins over Joe Taimanglo, Shawn Bunch, Ricky Bandejas, Darrion Caldwell, Nikita Mikhailov, and James Gallagher. His victory over Mikhailov came via second-round guillotine choke at Bellator 298 on August 11, 2023. Higo also won his bout against Caldwell at Bellator 259 on May 21, 2021, via split decision in a catchweight contest.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of Bellator, Higo captured the RFA Bantamweight title and the inaugural LFA Bantamweight Championship, both in 2015 and 2016 respectively. He also reached the elimination round of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 with a first-round arm-triangle choke victory over Maycon Silvan.
Leandro Higo Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Limited public information is available about Leandro Higo’s parents or extended family background. He was raised in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, where he continues to reside and where he trains with the Pitbull Brothers and Fight Ready teams.
Personal Life
Higo has a son. Beyond that, he keeps most details of his personal and family life private, focusing public attention on his training and professional career inside the cage.
2025 Season Performance
Leandro Higo entered 2025 with a fresh start after joining the 2025 PFL Bantamweight Tournament, a major change following years with Bellator. The move to PFL gave him a new platform and a tournament-style format that could accelerate his path to a major title. His quarterfinal draw was reshaped twice due to opponent withdrawals, eventually pitting him against Marcirley Alves.
Higo lost the quarterfinal bout via split decision, ending his 2025 tournament run. The performance, while not a win, kept him active on a high-profile stage and provided matchup experience against new opposition. The loss also left open questions about his next steps inside the PFL structure.
Looking ahead, Higo is expected to continue competing in the PFL bantamweight division, with the promotion likely to schedule his next bout in the latter half of 2025. His grappling pedigree and durability make him a dangerous opponent in any matchup, and he will be motivated to rebound from the quarterfinal exit with a strong finish to the year.