"I’m Definitely Going To Ask For The Title Shot": UFC Rising Star Luana Santos Has Her Eyes Locked On Bantamweight Gold

Yana Santos showdown could put Luana one step away from UFC gold.© NDTV Photo Library

Luana Santos believes a win over Yana Santos at UFC Vegas 123 could put her in line for a bantamweight title shot. The Brazilian is ranked fourth and meets Yana Santos, who is sixth, on the main card at Meta APEX in Las Vegas on Saturday. Both fighters enter on three-fight winning streaks. Luana Santos is 11-2 and 6-1 in the UFC. Yana Santos brings a wealth of experience from fights against former champions and top contenders. A win would give Luana Santos four straight UFC victories and strengthen her case for a bantamweight title shot.

Santos has a message for the UFC 

According to Luana Santos, an early stoppage would strengthen her case to move ahead of Ailin Perez and Joselyne Edwards. The Brazilian claimed the UFC was unhappy with Perez's most recent performance and believes a fourth UFC finish would make her a more attractive challenger.

“I'm definitely going to ask for the title shot,” Luana Santos told MMA Fighting. “That's what I want; that's my goal, and then we'll see what makes the most sense for the UFC.”

“I have two contenders ahead of me, Ailin and Joselyne, who are coming off very good winning streaks,” Santos said. “If I get a submission or a knockout, and I'm not next in line, then I'll be one win away from a title shot.”

She has five submission wins and one knockout. Her UFC run includes a first-round TKO of Juliana Miller, a submission of Mariya Agapova and an Americana finish of Tainara Lisboa.

Harrison vs. Nunes could shape the division

The women's bantamweight title picture is currently on hold ahead of Kayla Harrison's defence against returning former champion Amanda Nunes at UFC 334. Santos said the outcome could determine whether either champion retires.

Santos believes Nunes will continue fighting but thinks Harrison may retire because of the difficulty of making weight. She said the result will decide who becomes the next challenger and who must wait for another opportunity.

Joselyne Edwards has been named the backup fighter for Harrison vs. Nunes. She acknowledged that Edwards and Perez are ahead of her but believes a dominant win over Yana Santos could change the order.

Luana Santos has a 2027 UFC title promise to keep

Luana Santos, 26, beat Karol Rosa by unanimous decision in June to move into the top five. She controlled Rosa for more than 12 minutes of their 15-minute fight and won every round on the scorecards. 

She has promised her first coach that she would become UFC champion by 2027. 

Yana Santos, 37, is 16-8 and has fought Miesha Tate, Holly Holm, and former champion Julianna Pena. She is also chasing a title opportunity, making the matchup a direct eliminator in the 135-pound division.