Luana Santos targets UFC bantamweight title shot with finish over Yana Santos at Vegas 123

Luana Santos arrives at UFC Vegas 123 on Oct. 31 with a clear ambition: beat Yana Santos convincingly enough at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas to force her way into the bantamweight title picture ahead of two rivals already ahead of her in the queue.

Both fighters carry three-fight win streaks into the 135-pound main card bout, but Luana has her eye firmly on what comes next — specifically the winner of Kayla Harrison versus Amanda Nunes, scheduled for UFC 334 on Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden.

“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,” Luana 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.”

Joselyne Edwards has been named the official backup for the Harrison-Nunes title fight, and Ailin Perez also sits ahead of Luana in the contender rankings — both having recently defeated Norma Dumont. Luana, however, believes a finish could change the calculus entirely.

“I have two contenders ahead of me, Ailin and Joselyne, who are coming off very good winning streaks,” she said. “I think it’s definitely possible that I could get the next title shot, depending on how I win. 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.”

The 26-year-old Brazilian also made a pointed case for her own marketability, suggesting the UFC’s dissatisfaction with Perez’s last outing opens a door. “The UFC wasn’t happy with Ailin’s last performance. She only has one submission in the UFC, and if I get an early finish now, I’ll have four finishes in the UFC. I’m definitely going to ask for the title shot.”

Yana Santos has rebuilt impressively after a three-fight skid between 2021 and 2023, defeating Macy Chiasson, Miesha Tate, and Chelsea Chandler in succession. Luana acknowledges the challenge but is targeting an early stoppage. “She’s on a good run, but unfortunately, she’s going down on the 31st,” Luana said. “I’ve worked really hard to finish the fight early — a lot of boxing, improved my jiu-jitsu.”

A finish at UFC Vegas 123 would not guarantee a title shot, but Luana Santos is betting it makes her impossible to ignore.