LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A Las Vegas-area man who started working in a dental lab at 17 years old has built a mouthguard business that now draws fighters from around the world to his Henderson shop.
Julian Santiago grew up in Las Vegas, worked at Albertsons and attended UNLV before deciding to pursue his own business.
He said he learned to make crowns, veneers and eventually custom mouthguards while working as a dental lab technician as a teenager.
From local lab to global clientele
Santiago’s path to the UFC world began after he made mouthguards for fighters in boxer Gervonta Davis’ camp. Word spread about his custom designs and artwork, eventually reaching Davis himself. Santiago said a video he posted the day Davis fought Ryan Garcia — showing him taking an impression of the boxer, with DJ Steve Aoki visible in the background — reached 10 million views within 8 to 12 hours.
“I went to sleep, and I woke up, and it was like 10 million views in like 8 to 12 hours,” Santiago said. “And then, ever since then, I just kept posting.”
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High-profile clients and travel
The viral exposure brought more fighters to his door. UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway flew Santiago to Hawaii for a fitting. Santiago said Holloway taught him to surf and showed him around the island during the trip.
Boxer and social media personality Jake Paul sent Santiago to Puerto Rico to make a mouthguard there.
Most recently, Santiago said he messaged UFC fan favorite Patty Pimblett while the fighter was in Las Vegas and received a response.
“I was like, hey, like, can I make your mouth guard? Like, I’m in Vegas. I make the best mouth guards,” Santiago said. “And then he responded. He was like, yeah, here’s my coach’s number.”
Looking ahead
Santiago said the business is still in its early stages despite the high-profile clientele.
“Chase your dreams,” Santiago said. “Because I didn’t think I’d be doing this. And I took a risk, and the risk worked.”
Santiago said his next goal is to make a mouthguard for UFC star Conor McGregor.
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