Luana Santos says UFC title shot 'definitely possible' with finish of Yana Santos at UFC Vegas 123

Luana Santos believes a statement win over Yana Santos at UFC Vegas 123 on Saturday, October 31, could put her next in line for the UFC women's bantamweight title. Speaking to MMA Fighting ahead of their main card bout at Meta APEX in Las Vegas, the 26-year-old Brazilian said a title shot is "definitely possible" if she finishes her opponent, and that she will ask for one.

Both women enter the fight on three-fight winning streaks. Luana Santos is 11-2, while Russia's Yana Santos, 36, is 17-8. According to UFC.com, they are ranked No. 6 and No. 7 at 135 pounds. The main card starts at 8 p.m. ET, which is 03:00 Moscow time on Sunday, November 1.

Waiting on Harrison vs Nunes

The bout comes two weeks before Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes meet for the bantamweight title at UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden in New York on November 14. Luana Santos called Saturday's fight "a turning point for the division" and suggested the title picture could change after that bout.

"We have to wait for Amanda and Kayla to see whether they're going to retire or not, but that's still up in the air," she told MMA Fighting. "I don't think Amanda will, but I think Kayla might, given how difficult it is for her to make weight. I think this win will be a turning point in determining who the next title challenger will be, who won't be, or who will fight for a shot at the title."

Jumping the queue

Luana Santos acknowledged that two contenders are ahead of her: Ailin Perez and Joselyne Edwards, who is the official backup for Harrison vs Nunes. Both are coming off wins over Norma Dumont.

"I think it's definitely possible that I could get the next title shot, depending on how I win, but we can't forget that there are two other major contenders ahead of me as well," she 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 then took a shot at Perez, who is on a seven-fight UFC winning streak but beat Dumont by decision.

"The UFC wasn't happy with Ailin's last performance," Luana Santos said. "She only has one submission in the UFC, and if I get an early finish now, I'll have four finishes in the UFC. So yes, it's possible the UFC could move me ahead of them. I'm definitely going to ask for the title shot. That's what I want, that's my goal, and then we'll see what makes the most sense for the UFC. I think I'm someone the UFC sees value in as a marketable fighter."

The UFC has not commented on the bantamweight title picture beyond the UFC 334 booking.

Respect for Yana Santos

Yana Santos has rebuilt her UFC career with wins over Macy Chiasson, former champion Miesha Tate and Chelsea Chandler, after a three-fight skid between 2021 and 2023. Luana Santos, whose own streak includes wins over Karol Rosa, Melissa Croden and Tainara Lisboa, said she expects a difficult night.

"Yana is a tough girl," she said. "I see her as one of those annoying opponents to fight, with those tricky movements. She's difficult to read because she's somewhat unpredictable, so I see this as a tough fight. She's very experienced, 10 years older than me."

She added that she has worked on her boxing, jiu-jitsu and wrestling in camp and is "going in there to finish the fight early, for sure."

POP MMA will update this story with the result from Las Vegas.