Luana Santos unfazed by fears UFC could close bantamweight

Luana Santos is not worried the UFC will shut down the women's bantamweight division even after Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes eventually meet for the title and retire.

The promotion closed featherweight when Nunes retired as two-division champion in 2023, then declined to re-sign top-five contender Ketlen Vieira after her last win and passed on signing two-time PFL champion Larissa Pacheco. The moves sparked speculation that 135 pounds could be next on the chopping block, but Santos told MMA Fighting she sees the uncertainty as a chance to rise.

Santos sees opening at 135 pounds with marketability questions

"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," Santos said, per MMA Fighting. "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." The Brazilian, who fights Karol Rosa at UFC Vegas 119 on Saturday, acknowledged the division lacks a breakout contender beyond Harrison and Nunes. She pointed to her nearly 270,000 Instagram followers as evidence the promotion values her profile, adding that three UFC finishes could put her in title position once the top clears.

Santos expects both Harrison and Nunes to walk away after they fight, opening the belt for whoever can generate buzz. She dismissed the idea of forcing a trash-talking persona to boost her marketability, saying anything that does not come naturally reads as fake. The former flyweight moved back to Brazil after three years in the United States and has won five of six octagon appearances since her UFC debut.

Rosa has never been finished in 12 UFC bouts. Santos aims to be the first and hopes to fight again before the end of 2026.

Photo: MMAnytt / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Luana Santos doesn’t believe UFC could close bantamweight division after Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes | MMA Fighting