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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Farah Hannoun

UFC releases former title challenger Taila Santos

Taila Santos is no longer part of the UFC roster.

Santos, a former women’s flyweight title challenger, was released from her contract after seven fights with the promotion. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the news to MMA Junkie on Tuesday after UFC Roster Tracker shared it on X (formerly Twitter).

Santos had “a couple of fights” left on her deal. It’s unclear why she was released.

Santos (19-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC), who punched her ticket to the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018, came close to upsetting then-champion Valentina Shevchenko in their flyweight title fight at UFC 275 in June 2022. She lost the bout by split decision.

The 30-year-old Brazilian has since lost another close bout to top contender Erin Blanchfield this past August at UFC Fight Night 225. Prior to her two-fight setback, Santos was on a four-fight winning streak against Molly McCann, Gillian Robertson, Roxanne Modafferi, and Joanne Wood.

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