Luana Santos began her UFC profession as a flyweight, however her future could also be at bantamweight. At 25, she returns to the 135-pound division to face Tainara Lisboa at UFC Vegas 106 on Saturday trying to make an vital choice.
Santos was booked to struggle as soon as earlier than at bantamweight within the UFC, however badly missed the goal, coming in at practically 140 kilos. Doctors discovered the young Brazilian had Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune situation that may result in weight achieve by affecting the thyroid gland. Santos took treatment to get the illness beneath management and she or he went 1-1 as a flyweight, nevertheless it simply made sense to return to bantamweight after combating abdomen points earlier than and after the lower for her current bout with Casey O’Neill.
On high of that, Santos sees the bantamweight class as being so shallow it may imply a faster rise to the highest.
“Not that it’s simpler… however it’s,” Santos advised MMA Combating. “I feel the 125 division is extra aggressive than 135. And if I can struggle at 135, why not take the shortcut? For instance, Tainara was ranked after solely two fights within the UFC. She didn’t beat anybody related to be ranked. It’s simpler to climb [the ranking] at 135 than 125. If I’ve the energy and measurement to be at 135, why proceed battling my physique to chop to 125 if I’m solely 25 and will certainly not be a flyweight sooner or later?”
Santos’ choice shouldn’t be set in stone but. A future at bantamweight is dependent upon her efficiency in opposition to Lisboa and probably her subsequent struggle, however the transfer is sensible proper now.
“I’m not a small lady for 135. Fairly the other,” Santos mentioned. “I fought at 135 earlier than and I’ll attempt that once more. Let’s see the way it goes. If I win this one and the following, let’s do it. All of it is dependent upon how the struggle goes and the way I really feel in there.”
Lisboa is older than Santos and hasn’t fought in 18 months on account of a battle with a career-threatening left knee harm. Santos gained’t overlook her opponent, however sees the state of affairs as extra favorable for her at UFC Vegas 106.
“I feel Tainara is a really powerful and skilled lady,” Santos mentioned. “She’s nearly 10 years older than me but when we’re speaking MMA, we’ve nearly the identical expertise. Her putting is extra Muay Thai oriented, she has good jiu-jitsu, however I feel I could be superior than her in that space. The 2 losses she had had been in opposition to ladies who’ve accomplished that kind of sport.”
“I feel it’s an awesome matchup,” she added. “She’s coming off a knee harm and I don’t understand how her head will likely be after greater than a yr off. I feel she’s powerful. I don’t assume it’s going to be a simple struggle, however I feel there’s an awesome likelihood I come out with the win.”
