Taila Santos
Brazil
Released by UFC
Santos was released by the UFC on Tuesday, according to Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com.
ANALYSIS
Santos' release would unsurprisingly come as a shock for most people, considering it has not been 18 months removed from when she fought ex-flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko to a split decision during their fight at UFC 275. Santos entered the promotion as an undefeated prospect through Dana White's Contender Series Brazil. She lost her promotional debut but earned a championship fight after four consecutive wins. Santos concluded her UFC career with a decision loss to Erin Blanchfield, finishing at 4-3.
Santos' release would unsurprisingly come as a shock for most people, considering it has not been 18 months removed from when she fought ex-flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko to a split decision during their fight at UFC 275. Santos entered the promotion as an undefeated prospect through Dana White's Contender Series Brazil. She lost her promotional debut but earned a championship fight after four consecutive wins. Santos concluded her UFC career with a decision loss to Erin Blanchfield, finishing at 4-3.
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Drops another tight decision
Santos lost to Erin Blanchfield via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Singapore.
ANALYSIS
Fresh off her split decision defeat to Valentina Shevchenko in a title fight back in June 2022, Santos again fought reasonably well despite coming up short. She was the more effective fighter in the early going and managed to stuff all 14 of Blanchfield's takedown attempts, but she spent a massive chunk of the final ten minutes being controlled along the fence by her opponent, an awful visual in a close fight. The Brazilian may not be on the same level as the top female competitors at 125 pounds, but she's a good fighter. It's imperative that she finds a victory her next time out by any means necessary, as a three-fight losing streak would be a death sentence, even in the thinnest division in the company.
Fresh off her split decision defeat to Valentina Shevchenko in a title fight back in June 2022, Santos again fought reasonably well despite coming up short. She was the more effective fighter in the early going and managed to stuff all 14 of Blanchfield's takedown attempts, but she spent a massive chunk of the final ten minutes being controlled along the fence by her opponent, an awful visual in a close fight. The Brazilian may not be on the same level as the top female competitors at 125 pounds, but she's a good fighter. It's imperative that she finds a victory her next time out by any means necessary, as a three-fight losing streak would be a death sentence, even in the thinnest division in the company.
Set to face Blanchfield
Santos will face Erin Blanchfield in a flyweight bout at a UFC event in Singapore on Aug. 26, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports Friday.
ANALYSIS
Santos was initially slated to face Blanchfield back in February, but she cancelled the bout after two of her coaches were denied visas into the United States. Now, she'll get her chance to face Blanchfield, who is sitting on a perfect UFC record of 5-0.
Santos was initially slated to face Blanchfield back in February, but she cancelled the bout after two of her coaches were denied visas into the United States. Now, she'll get her chance to face Blanchfield, who is sitting on a perfect UFC record of 5-0.
Won't fight Feb. 18
Santos has opted not to compete in UFC Vegas 69 on Feb. 18 after two of her coaches were denied visas into the United States, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Santos was expected to face Erin Blanchfield, but Jessica Andrade has now replaced her. Santos hasn't fought since coming up just short in the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship on June 11 against Valentina Shevchenko.
Santos was expected to face Erin Blanchfield, but Jessica Andrade has now replaced her. Santos hasn't fought since coming up just short in the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship on June 11 against Valentina Shevchenko.
Added to Feb. 18 card
Santos (orbital) will take on Erin Blanchfield at the UFC event on Feb. 18, Morning Kombat reports.
ANALYSIS
Santos will making her first appearance in the Octagon since coming up just short in the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship on June 11 against Valentina Shevchenko. Santos underwent surgery to repair a fractured right orbital bone right after UFC 275. Blanchfield is coming off a submission victory over Molley McCann on Nov. 12.
Santos will making her first appearance in the Octagon since coming up just short in the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship on June 11 against Valentina Shevchenko. Santos underwent surgery to repair a fractured right orbital bone right after UFC 275. Blanchfield is coming off a submission victory over Molley McCann on Nov. 12.
Set to undergo surgery
Santos plans to undergo surgery in Brazil to repair a fractured right orbital bone sustained in her loss Saturday to Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 275 in Singapore, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Santos suffered the injury during an accidental headbutt with Valentina Shevchenko midway through the third round. The headbutt resulted in a nearly completely swollen right eye that hindered her performance throughout the rest of the fight. A timeline for the flyweight fighter's return to the Octagon should be established once surgery is completed.
Santos suffered the injury during an accidental headbutt with Valentina Shevchenko midway through the third round. The headbutt resulted in a nearly completely swollen right eye that hindered her performance throughout the rest of the fight. A timeline for the flyweight fighter's return to the Octagon should be established once surgery is completed.