Former UFC title challenger Taila Santos has signed a contract to join PFL’s flyweight roster, potentially becoming a major player in the PFL’s inaugural flyweight season.
Taila Santos? Yeah, she’s now a PFL player.
Who confirmed it? Damon Martin from MMA Fighting. He got the scoop directly from the league officials.
And guess what? OCP News was the first to break the news.
Santos, with her impressive 19-3 record, bid adieu to UFC last September. Her journey with UFC? A bit of a rollercoaster, with a 4-3 run.
She started off strong, winning four out of her first five UFC matches. Then came the big challenge. A face-off with Valentina Shevchenko for the 125-pound title at UFC 275 in June 2022.
Didn’t go as planned, though. Santos lost, but it was a close split decision. Her grappling game was on point, pushing Shevchenko to her limits. Almost pulled off a major upset, she did.
Then came Erin Blanchfield. Santos lost to her too, and that was a unanimous decision. After that, she became a free agent.
But hey, things are looking up. Santos is now poised to be a key player in the PFL’s first-ever flyweight season.
The PFL has hosted women’s tournaments before, but for the 155- and 145-pound divisions. So, 2024 is a big year. It’s the first time the 125-pounders can compete for a tournament crown and a cool $1 million prize.