Taila Santos

Taila Santos
BornTaila Jaine dos Santos
(1993-06-22) June 22, 1993 (age 31)
Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8 st 13 lb)
DivisionFlyweight
Reach68.0 in (173 cm)[1]
StyleMuay Thai
Fighting out ofBalneário Camboriú, Brazil
TeamAstra Fight Team
RankBlue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Years active2013–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total25
Wins22
By knockout10
By submission4
By decision8
Losses3
By decision3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Taila Jaine dos Santos[3][4] (born June 22, 1993) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who currently competes in the women’s Flyweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). She formerly competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where she challenged for the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship in June 2022.

Background

With her father being a Muay Thai coach, she started training it at the age of 16, soon afterwards being enrolled in a championship at Chute Boxe of Curitiba, which Taila went to win. Taila started to train Jiu-Jitsu, with her father organizing an MMA fight so that Taila could debut in the sport. She went and won again. Afterwards, her father contacted Marcelo Brigadeiro to organize the trip to Astra Fight, in Balneário Camboriú, where she resides today.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

After going the distance in her 2013 pro debut, she would go on to finish her next 10 bouts in the first round. In 2016, her one appearance came against Laisa Coimbra for the Aspera FC Bantamweight Championship. She won the title with an 87-second knockout — via a punch to the body. Taila set to fight with fellow Brazilian prospect Mariana Morais, but Morais withdrew from the Aspera FC 32 bout. Being booked for her Invicta FC debut against Irene Aldana, Santos had to pull out due to visa issues.[5]

After two year layoff, she was invited onto Dana White's Contender Series Brazil 2 where she faced off at Flyweight against Estefani Almeida. She won the unanimous decision and earned a UFC contract.[6]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Santos made her UFC debut against Mara Romero Borella on February 2, 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2.[7] She lost the fight by split decision.[8]

Taila faced Molly McCann on 16 July 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige.[9] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[10]

Santos was scheduled to face Maryna Moroz on December 5, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori. However on November 18, it was announced that Moroz had to pull out and she was replaced by Montana De La Rosa.[11] Just hours before the event, the UFC decided to remove the fight after one of De La Rosa's cornermen tested positive for COVID-19.[12] Santos was then rescheduled to face Gillian Robertson two weeks later at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal.[13] Santos won the fight via unanimous decision.[14]

Santos was scheduled to face Roxanne Modafferi on May 8, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 24.[15] However, Modafferi was forced to pull out from the event citing a meniscus tear.[16]

Santos was scheduled to face Mandy Böhm on September 4, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191.[17] However, Santos was pulled from the bout due to visa issues and was replaced by Ariane Lipski.[18]

Santos faced Roxanne Modafferi in a flyweight bout on September 25, 2021 at UFC 266.[19] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[20]

Santos faced Joanne Wood on November 20, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 198.[21] After knocking Wood down twice, Santos won the bout via rear-naked choke at the end of the first round.[22] This fight earned her the Performance of the Night award.[23]

Santos faced Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship on June 11, 2022, at UFC 275.[24] She lost the close bout by split decision, becoming the first fighter to win on a judge's scorecard against Shevchenko, in the flyweight division.[25]

Santos was scheduled to face Erin Blanchfield on February 18, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 219.[26] The main event fight between Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera was rescheduled to another event, and Santos' fight against Blanchfield was promoted to the main event.[27] However, just one week out from the event, Santos withdrew after her cornermen were denied visas into the United States and was replaced by former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Jéssica Andrade.[28][29]

The match with Erin Blanchfield was rebooked and took place on August 26, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225.[30] She lost the bout via unanimous decision.[31]

On November 7, 2023, it was announced that Santos was no longer under contract with the UFC.[32]

Professional Fighters League

On March 1, 2024, it was reported that Santos signed with Professional Fighters League.[33]

Santos was scheduled to make her debut against Denise Kielholtz on April 4, 2024 at PFL 1.[34] However, a week before the event it was announced that Kielholtz had pulled out and she would instead face llara Joanne.[35] Santos won the bout by a rear-naked choke submission at the end of the first round.[36][37]

Santos faced Jena Bishop at PFL 4 on June 13, 2024. She won the bout via split decision.[38]

Santos faced Liz Carmouche in the semi-finals of the 2024 Women's Flyweight tournament at PFL 7 on August 2, 2024. At the weigh-ins, Carmouche missed weight by 1 pound, coming in at 127 pounds.[39] Santos won the bout via unanimous decision.[40]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
25 matches 22 wins 3 losses
By knockout 10 0
By submission 4 0
By decision 8 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 22–3 Liz Carmouche Decision (unanimous) PFL 7 (2024) August 2, 2024 3 5:00 Nashville, Tennessee, United States 2024 PFL Women's Flyweight Tournament Semifinal. Carmouche missed weight (127 lb).
Win 21–3 Jena Bishop Decision (split) PFL 4 (2024) June 13, 2024 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 20–3 Ilara Joanne Submission (rear-naked choke) PFL 1 (2024) April 4, 2024 1 3:57 San Antonio, Texas, United States
Loss 19–3 Erin Blanchfield Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie August 26, 2023 3 5:00 Kallang, Singapore
Loss 19–2 Valentina Shevchenko Decision (split) UFC 275 June 12, 2022 5 5:00 Kallang, Singapore For the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship.
Win 19–1 Joanne Wood Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate November 20, 2021 1 4:49 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 18–1 Roxanne Modafferi Decision (unanimous) UFC 266 September 25, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–1 Gillian Robertson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal December 19, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 16–1 Molly McCann Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige July 16, 2020 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Loss 15–1 Mara Romero Borella Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2 February 2, 2019 3 5:00 Fortaleza, Brazil
Win 15–0 Estefani Almeida Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series Brazil 2 August 11, 2018 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Flyweight.
Win 14–0 Laisa Coimbra KO (punch to the body) Aspera FC 43 August 13, 2016 1 1:27 Paranaguá, Brazil Won the vacant Aspera FC Bantamweight Championship.
Win 13–0 Bruna Rosso KO (elbow) K.O. Combate 2 November 21, 2015 2 3:06 Caçador, Brazil
Win 12–0 Gisele Moreira Decision (unanimous) Aspera FC 23 August 16, 2015 3 5:00 Joinville, Brazil
Win 11–0 Gisele Pereira TKO (head kick) Aspera FC 20 June 6, 2015 1 1:06 Navegantes, Brazil
Win 10–0 Wellen Taynara Sobrinho TKO (doctor stoppage) Aspera FC 19 May 23, 2015 1 5:00 Lages, Brazil Flyweight bout.
Win 9–0 Ana Paula da Silva TKO (punches) Noxii Combat 1 May 17, 2015 1 2:12 Joinville, Brazil
Win 8–0 Juliana Martins Submission (keylock) Aspera FC 17 April 4, 2015 1 0:48 Curitibanos, Brazil
Win 7–0 Daniela Cristina Patricia TKO (elbows) Aspera FC 16 March 29, 2015 1 0:26 Joinville, Brazil
Win 6–0 Gabriela Bueno Submission MMA Total Combat 2 March 21, 2015 1 1:17 São Bento do Sul, Brazil
Win 5–0 Marta Souza KO (punch) Aspera FC 15 February 1, 2015 1 2:36 Itapema, Brazil
Win 4–0 Rachael Cummins TKO (punches) XFC International 6 September 27, 2014 1 4:28 São Paulo, Brazil Return to Bantamweight.
Win 3–0 Geisyele Nascimento KO (head kick) University of Champions 1 July 5, 2014 1 0:30 Curitiba, Brazil Flyweight debut.
Win 2–0 Kessiny Mara TKO (punches) Aspera FC 4 March 1, 2014 1 2:20 Itapema, Brazil
Win 1–0 Josiane Nunes de Lima Decision (unanimous) Striker's House Cup 31 November 23, 2013 3 5:00 Curitiba, Brazil Bantamweight debut.

[42]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 2020-10-04.
  2. ^ a b "Taila Santos | UFC". UFC.com. 14 September 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  3. ^ Mixed martial arts show results Date: August 11, 2018
  4. ^ Sherdog.com. "Taila Santos MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  5. ^ a b Bryan Henderson (2016-12-04). "Out of Obscurity: Emerging Stars to Watch For in 2017". combatpress.com. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  6. ^ John Morgan (2018-08-31). "Dana White's Contender Series Brazil 2 results: Three more contracts awarded". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2018-09-02.
  7. ^ "Six fights added to UFC Fortaleza". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-11-30.
  8. ^ "UFC Fortaleza results: Mara Romero Borella takes split call over Taila Santos". MMAjunkie. 2019-02-03. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  9. ^ Marcel Dorff (10 June 2020). "Molly McCann treft Taila Santos tijdens UFC evenement op 15 juli in Abu Dhabi" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-12-16.
  10. ^ Doherty, Dan (2020-07-15). "UFC Fight Island 1 Results: Taila Santos Outmatches Molly McCann". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
  11. ^ Farah Hannoun and Nolan King (2020-11-17). "With Maryna Moroz out, Montana De La Rosa steps in to face Taila Santos at UFC Fight Night on Dec. 5". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  12. ^ Damon Martin and Guilherme Cruz (2020-12-05). "Montana De La Rosa vs. Taila Santos scrapped from UFC Vegas 16 card due to positive COVID-19 test". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  13. ^ Jay Anderson (2020-12-05). "Gillian Robertson now fights Taila Santos at UFC Vegas 17". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2020-12-06.
  14. ^ Anderson, Jay (2020-12-19). "UFC Vegas 17 Results: Taila Santos Fends Off Gillian Robertson". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-12-19.
  15. ^ Marcel Dorff (2021-03-03). "Roxanne Modafferi vs. Taila Santos toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 8 mei". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-12-16.
  16. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2021-04-07). "Roxanne Modafferi out of Taila Santos bout on May 8 due to meniscus injury". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  17. ^ Marcelo Barone (2021-05-24). "UFC sets fight between Taila Santos and Mandy Bohm for August". globoesporte.globo.com. Retrieved 2021-05-24. (in Portuguese)
  18. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2021-08-02). "UFC moves Sept. 4 event from London to Las Vegas, Ariane Lipski replaces Taila Santos vs. Mandy Bohm". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-08-03.
  19. ^ Marcel Dorff (2021-08-19). "Meerdere updates UFC partijen voor verschillende evenementen". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-12-16.
  20. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-09-25). "UFC 266 Results: Taila Santos Dominates Veteran Modafferi". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  21. ^ Marcel Dorff (2021-10-08). "Taila Santos vervangt Alexa Grasso tegen Joanne Calderwood tijdens UFC evenement op 20 november". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved 2021-12-16.
  22. ^ Anderson, Jay (2021-11-20). "UFC Vegas 43: Taila Santos Submits Joanne Wood In Opening Round". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  23. ^ a b Staff (2021-11-20). "UFC Fight Night 198 bonuses: Adrian Yanez, Davey Grant's intense battle among just three total winners". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-11-20.
  24. ^ Shelton, Cole (2022-03-02). "Valentina Shevchenko set to defend flyweight title at UFC 275 against Taila Santos". | BJPenn.com. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
  25. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-06-12). "UFC 275: Valentina Shevchenko Holds on, Decisions Santos for Seventh Title Defense". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-06-12.
  26. ^ "UFC books Taila Santos vs. Erin Blanchfield for February event". MMA Junkie. 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  27. ^ Burne, Kathrine (4 February 2023). "EBI Champion Erin Blanchfield Gets First Main Event Fight At UFC Vegas 69". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  28. ^ Damon Martin (2023-02-11). "Jessica Andrade now faces Erin Blanchfield in new UFC Vegas 69 main event". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  29. ^ Critchfield, Triston. "Jessica Andrade replaces Taila Santos, Meets Erin Blanchfield at UFC Fight Night 219".
  30. ^ Harvey Leonard (2023-06-23). "Taila Santos vs. Erin Blanchfield Rebooked For UFC Singapore On August 26". mmanews.com. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
  31. ^ Law, Eddie (2023-08-26). "Relentless Pace, Takedown Attack, Earn Erin Blanchfield A Decision Victory Over Santos". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  32. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2023-11-07). "UFC parts ways with former flyweight title contender Taila Santos". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  33. ^ Lee, Alexander K. (2024-03-01). "Former UFC contender Taila Santos signs with PFL". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  34. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2024-03-11). "PFL announces full line-ups for first 3 season events, 8 ex-Bellator champions debut". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  35. ^ "Cappelozza removed from PFL card on April 4". ESPN.com. 2024-03-26. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  36. ^ Staff (2024-04-04). "2024 PFL 1: Delija vs. Moldavsky Full Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-04-05.
  37. ^ "Taila Santos survives power shots, pulls off sudden submission to score six points". pflmma.com. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  38. ^ "Taila Santos clinches flyweight playoff spot in close split decision victory". pflmma.com. Retrieved 2024-08-04.
  39. ^ "Liz Carmouche misses weight for PFL semifinal vs. Taila Santos". espn.com.
  40. ^ Anderson, Jay (2024-08-03). "PFL Nashville Avoids Scoring Controversy, Taila Santos Wins Decision Over Liz Carmouche". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
  41. ^ a b c d "UFC Women's Flyweight - Stats". ufc.com. September 6, 2013.
  42. ^ Sherdog.com. "Taila Santos". Sherdog. Retrieved 2020-08-07.