Ali Akbar Rosady
The future of the women’s bantamweight division has been a subject of increasing debate within the MMA community. This apprehension intensified after the UFC opted to discontinue its women’s featherweight division in 2023, a decision made in the wake of Amanda Nunes’ initial retirement as a two-division champion. Nunes, often hailed as the greatest female fighter in the sport’s history, had held both the bantamweight and featherweight titles, dominating both weight classes for several years. Her retirement left the 145-pound division effectively without a reigning champion or a clear path for contenders, leading to its eventual dissolution.
The bantamweight division, however, remained active. The narrative took a significant turn with the high-profile signing of Olympic judo gold medalist and undefeated PFL champion Kayla Harrison to the UFC. Harrison, who had long competed at 155 pounds in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), made the challenging cut to 135 pounds for her UFC debut. Her arrival and immediate positioning as a top contender, with the clear intention of challenging for the bantamweight title, subsequently prompted Amanda Nunes to reverse her retirement decision, setting the stage for what many anticipate will be a monumental clash between two of the sport’s most formidable female athletes.
Despite the excitement surrounding a potential Harrison vs. Nunes superfight, several recent actions by the UFC have fueled concerns about the depth and future commitment to the bantamweight division. Notably, veteran fighter Ketlen Vieira, who held a top-5 ranking in the division, was not offered a new contract by the promotion following her most recent victory. Vieira, with a professional record of 14-3 and a significant tenure within the UFC, represented a consistent presence near the top of the division. Simultaneously, the UFC reportedly passed on signing Larissa Pacheco, a two-time PFL champion who notably defeated Kayla Harrison twice during their time in the PFL, further diminishing the pool of established talent. These decisions have been interpreted by some observers as a signal of the UFC’s diminishing investment in the division, prompting fears of a similar fate to the now-defunct featherweight class.
Luana Santos, however, remains unperturbed by these developments. "No, it doesn’t worry me," Santos told MMA Fighting when questioned about the division’s future. "I’ve seen a lot of people talking about it because of the lack of signings and because Ketlen was released, but I’m not concerned. A lot of people say, ‘Oh, the division is going to disappear.’ I don’t think that’s going to happen."
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Santos acknowledges the historical perception of the 135-pound division as being "quieter" with fewer high-profile matchups compared to other weight classes. However, she believes this trend is shifting. "I think 135 is a quieter division and doesn’t have as many fights, but that’s changing. We’re seeing a lot more fights at 135, and a lot of new people are coming in," she asserted. This influx of new talent, coupled with the potential opening at the top, presents what Santos views as a significant career opportunity.
The rising Brazilian fighter, who boasts a professional record of 12-2 and a UFC record of 5-1, sees herself as a prime candidate to capitalize on this evolving landscape. "I see it as an opportunity," Santos stated. "I have a good relationship with the UFC; they like me, and I have a good connection with the fans. I’m not someone who gets a lot of hate. For some reason, people identify with me and like me." She highlighted her growing social media presence as an indicator of her burgeoning appeal, noting, "If you look at my Instagram, I have more followers than some girls who have been in the UFC for 10 years." With nearly 270,000 followers on Instagram, Santos demonstrates a marketability that the UFC frequently seeks in its athletes. Her track record, which includes three finishes in her UFC bouts, further bolsters her claim. "I already have three finishes in the UFC, so if I get one or two more, that puts me even closer to a title shot. People already identify with me. So I see it as a good thing. If nobody’s there, I’m coming," she added with a laugh, underscoring her ambition.
Despite her optimism, Santos conceded that the promotion faces challenges in cultivating marketable contenders capable of generating significant viewership and public interest within the 135-pound division. Beyond the anticipated mega-bout between Amanda Nunes and Kayla Harrison, the division currently lacks a universally recognized breakout star. "Our division doesn’t really have a name coming up that makes people stop and say, ‘Wow, she’s the next big thing’ – other than Amanda, who wants to come back, and Kayla, who’s in her prime," Santos observed. "There’s no one we look at and say, ‘Damn, this girl is coming up, making noise, and she’s marketable.’ There just isn’t. There’s nobody that people are saying, ‘My God, she has to get the title shot, she’s next.’ Our division is pretty quiet."
She cited Norma Dumont, a former featherweight who recently competed at bantamweight, as an example of a fighter who generates conversation but whose recent performance has set her back. Dumont suffered a split decision loss to Gertrudes "Gigi" Suarez in April 2024, a result that necessitates a rebuilding period for her title aspirations. "There’s Norma [Dumont], who talks a lot and all that, but she just lost, so I think she’ll have to take a couple of steps back. There isn’t that standout girl right now," Santos noted.
The long-term implications of the Harrison-Nunes fight extend to the potential retirement of both combatants. Kayla Harrison has publicly indicated that she would consider retirement if the UFC does not reinstate the 145-pound division, a weight class she has historically preferred due to her natural size. Given the previous closure of the featherweight division due to a lack of depth and activity, Santos believes it is highly improbable that the UFC would re-establish it. "I don’t think the UFC is going to reopen the 145-pound division. If 135 already doesn’t have that many women making noise, why would they open another division just to have it be quiet too?" Santos queried. "Featherweight has never been a division with a lot of activity. You’d see fights there once in a blue moon."
Consequently, Santos anticipates a dual retirement following the marquee matchup. "So yes, if they fight each other, whether they win or lose, I think both retire," she predicted. "Kayla can’t keep making 135 forever – I don’t even know how she still does it today, she’s huge." This scenario, she contends, would further open up the division for emerging contenders. "And that opens the door for the people coming up. Whoever is making noise, selling fights, and winning will move ahead of everyone else in line for the title, no doubt about it."
While some fighters, such as Argentina’s Ailin Perez, have garnered attention through provocative behavior and vocal social media presence, Santos emphasizes that authenticity is key to marketability. "Those things have to come naturally," Santos asserted. "People try to force themselves to talk trash and create drama, but if it isn’t natural, it comes across as fake, and it won’t be marketable. Anything forced doesn’t work." She explicitly stated her refusal to adopt a fabricated persona. "I’m not going to create a character, and I think that’s one reason people identify with me so much. Insulting people, provoking them, making wild promises, that’s not me. If the UFC sees me as marketable, it’ll be because of who I really am, not because I’m trying to provoke or trash-talk someone."
Santos is currently riding a two-fight winning streak since transitioning to the bantamweight division from flyweight. Her recent victories include unanimous decision wins over Tainara Lisboa in February 2024 and Melissa Croden in June 2023, showcasing her adaptability and effectiveness in the heavier weight class. She is scheduled for her next bout on Saturday, June 20, at UFC Vegas 119, taking place at the Meta APEX facility, where she will face fellow Brazilian Karol Rosa.
The move to bantamweight has coincided with significant career developments for Santos. After residing in the United States for three years, she made the decision to return to Brazil, a move she credits with contributing to her signing with the UFC. Since her UFC debut in October 2021, Santos has been remarkably active, competing six times in a span of 28 months and securing five victories. Her return to São Paulo allowed her to establish a dedicated training team around her, fostering an environment where she feels "much happier" without compromising her professional development.
Her upcoming opponent, Karol Rosa, presents a formidable challenge. Rosa, with a professional record of 18-6 and a UFC record of 7-3, is known for her resilience, having never been finished in her 12 UFC bouts. Santos, however, aims to be the first to accomplish this feat. Despite her ambition for a "career-changing win" against Rosa, Santos is careful not to underestimate her experienced compatriot. "Karol is a very tough fighter," Santos acknowledged. "We can’t put blinders on and say, ‘You have everything it takes to beat her, it’s going to be easy.’ She’s extremely experienced. She has 12 UFC fights, which is the same number of professional fights I have in total. That tells you how experienced she is." Following this pivotal fight, Santos expressed her desire to compete once more before the end of 2026, aiming to solidify her position as a leading contender in the wide-open bantamweight division.
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