Zaleski was born in Francisco Beltrao, Parana, Brazil. He grew up training Capoeira at age of nine. Zaleski transitioned to MMA at age 20 and started competing professionally soon after.
Zaleski started his MMA career on November 8, 2009, and he fought for many promoters notably Jungle Fight, Smash and Amazon Fight in Brazil. He was the former Jungle Fight welterweight champion and he amassed a record of 14–4 with 13 finishes and 1 decision prior joining UFC.
Zaleski made his promotional debut on May 30, 2015, at against Nicolas Dalby. Zaleski outstruck Dalby as he landed 16 more significant strikes, but judges handed the victory via split decision to Dalby as he successfully took Zaleski down six times. He faced Omari Akhmedov on his next fight at on April 16, 2016. He won the fight and claimed his first UFC win via knockout in the third round. The fight earned him his first Fight of the Night bonus award. On October 1, 2016, Zaleski returned to face Keita Nakamura at. After three rounds of fighting, he won the fight via unanimous decision with the score board of. Zaleski faced Lyman Good, former Bellator and CFFC champion, on July 22, 2017, at. He won the back-and-forth fight by split decision. The fight also earned him his second Fight of the Night bonus award. Zaleski faced Max Griffin on October 28, 2017, at. He won the fight via unanimous decision. The win also earned him his third Fight of the Night bonus award. Zaleski was expected to face Jack Marshman on March 17, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 127. However, on February 19, 2018, it was announced that Zaleski pulled out of the fight, citing a knee injury. He was replaced by Brad Scott Zaleski faced Sean Strickland on May 12, 2018, at UFC 224. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. Zaleski was scheduled to meet Belal Muhammad on September 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 137. However, on September 14, 2018 Muhammad was pulled from the bout and he was replace by newcomer Luigi Vendramini. He won the fight via knockout in round two. Zaleski was scheduled to face Li Jingliang on November 25, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 141. However on October 27, 2018, it was reported that Zaleski withdrew from the bout due to a partial ligament tear in his right knee. Zaleski faced Curtis Millender on March 9, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 146. He won the fight via submission in the first round. Zaleski was expected to face Neil Magny on May 18, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 151. However, on March 28, 2019 dos Santos announced that he had not been contacted by the UFC about the match. A pairing with Li Jingliang was rescheduled and took place on August 31, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 15. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round three. As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Zaleski faced Alexey Kunchenko on March 14, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170. He won the fight via unanimous decision. As the first fight of his new, four-fight contract, Zaleski faced Muslim Salikhov on July 11, 2020 at UFC 251. He lost the fight via a split decision.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Ultimate Fighting Championship
* Fight of the Night vs. Omari Akhmedov, Lyman Good and Max Griffin
Jungle Fight
* Jungle Fight welterweight champion
Personal life
His moniker "Capoeira” was coined as he started his combat sport in Capoeira.
