Career
Sometimes known as Adema Santa, was a Brazilian martial artist, who trained in Capoeira under Mestre Bimba and also in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Helio Gracie. He was additionally trained in Luta Livre and Boxing. He is famous for fighting his former master Hélio Gracie in 1955, in a 3 hour 40 minute long match.
Valdemar had fought for the original Gracie Academy for many years, but had a falling out with Hélio.
Gracie and Santana decided to settle their differences in a Vale Tudo (no holds barred) match. After nearly four hours of combat, Santana knocked out Gracie with a soccer kick to the head
After his fight with Hélio, Santana was challenged by Carlson Gracie, Hélio"s nephew. Carlson and Santana had, according to Carlson Gracie, six fights, with Carlson winning two, and the other four being declared a draw.
He also fought Masahiko Kimura 1959.
Kimura went to Brazil again in 1959 to conduct his last Professional Judo/Wrestling tour. He was challenged by Valdemar Santana to a "real" (not choreographed) submission match. He was 27 years old, 6 feet tall, and weighed 205 pounds
Kimura threw Santana with seoinage, hanegoshi, and osotogari.
He then applied his famous reverse ude-garami (entangled armlock), winning the match. Santana requested a rematch under vale tudo rules—the first fight was apparently grappling only—and this time, the result was a draw after 40 minutes in a bout in which both competitors reportedly drew blood.
Kimura fought this match despite having an injured knee, and was pressured by the promoter and police to fight against his doctors orders. 1955: Drew with Carlson Gracie
1956: Lost to Carlson Gracie by TKO
1957: Lost to Carlson Gracie by decision
1957: Drew with Carlson Gracie
1957: Drew with Carlson Gracie
1957: Drew with Carlson Gracie
1959: Lost to Masahiko Kimura by submission
1959: Drew with Masahiko Kimura
1962: Drew with Ivan Gomes
1968: Lost to Euclides Pereira by retirement
1970: Drew with Carlson Gracie
197?: Drew with Euclides Pereira
1972: Lost to Ivan Gomes by submission.
