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 necessary determination.
Santos was booked to struggle as soon as earlier than at bantamweight within the UFC, however badly missed the goal, coming in at almost 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 remedy to get the illness beneath management and he or she went 1-1 as a flyweight, however it simply made sense to return to bantamweight after fighting abdomen points earlier than and after the lower for her latest bout with Casey O’Neill.
On prime of that, Santos sees the bantamweight class as being so shallow it might imply a faster rise to the highest.
“Not that it’s simpler… however it’s,” Santos instructed MMA Combating. “I believe 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’ determination just isn’t set in stone but. A future at bantamweight depends upon her efficiency towards 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 stated. “I fought at 135 earlier than and I’ll strive 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 depends 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 resulting from a battle with a career-threatening left knee damage. Santos gained’t overlook her opponent, however sees the state of affairs as extra favorable for her at UFC Vegas 106.
“I believe Tainara is a really robust and skilled lady,” Santos stated. “She’s virtually 10 years older than me but when we’re speaking MMA, we now have virtually the identical expertise. Her placing is extra Muay Thai oriented, she has good jiu-jitsu, however I believe I could be superior than her in that space. The 2 losses she had had been towards ladies who’ve carried out that sort of sport.”
“I believe it’s an incredible matchup,” she added. “She’s coming off a knee damage and I don’t know the way her head shall be after greater than a 12 months off. I believe she’s robust. I don’t assume it’s going to be a straightforward struggle, however I believe there’s an incredible likelihood I come out with the win.”
