UFC bantamweight Luana Santos made history on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 106 by securing the first Americana submission victory in the history of UFC women's competition. Santos faced Tainara Lisboa in a highly anticipated matchup that showcased her impressive grappling skills. After the fight, she expressed her excitement about this significant achievement.
“Making history. I always tell people that I want to leave a little mark. To be the first Americana finish... Before this fight, I said I wanted to have a safe fight, a cautious fight, because I wanted to come out and get back into the win column,” Santos stated during her post-fight press scrum, as reported by Cageside Press.
Santos, now holding a professional record of 9 wins and 2 losses, made her bantamweight debut against Lisboa with clear objectives. “I have one foot in one and another foot in another. I feel good about this. Bantamweight was actually what I used to fight; I fought at 135 for a long time. I just wanted to test myself at 125, and I did it. This felt really good,” she explained, emphasizing her confidence in this weight class.
Her success in the octagon raised the question of her future in the bantamweight division. Santos conveyed her optimism about remaining at 135 pounds, stating, “I felt strong, so this may be my home.” This victory not only marked a personal milestone for Santos but also set a new standard in women's MMA history.
In related news, Santos's boyfriend, Allan Begosso, a contender on Dana White's Contender Series, is eagerly awaiting his own opportunity to make a UFC debut later this year. He recently scored a submission victory at LFA 208, putting his opponent to sleep just a week prior to Santos's historic win. When asked about the possibility of fighting on the same card as her boyfriend, Santos laughed and insisted, “No, no way. Otherwise, I’m going to have a heart attack before the fight. He can fight one week, and I’ll fight the other!”
The couple’s journey in the UFC could take an exciting turn, with both athletes aiming to make their marks in the organization. As fans eagerly anticipate Begosso's debut, Santos's recent victory has already set a high bar in the bantamweight division. The MMA community will undoubtedly continue to follow their careers closely as they pursue success in the sport.
For those wanting to see more from Santos, the full post-fight interview provides further insights into her historical achievement and future plans in the UFC. Keep an eye on this rising star as she aims to build on her groundbreaking victory at UFC Vegas 106.
