Preview: UFC Vegas 106 Prelims

Women’s Bantamweights

Luana Santos (8-2, 3-1 UFC) vs. Tainara Lisboa (7-2, 2-0 UFC)

ODDS: Santos (-130), Lisboa (+110)

It’s still unclear what to make of either Brazilian bantamweight at a UFC level. Santos didn’t look particularly UFC-ready ahead of getting the call in 2023, but she has done well bouncing between flyweight and bantamweight while still being young enough to improve. Santos has the requisite physicality and aggression to get by trying to run over her opponents and figuring out the rest later, as she handled some lower lights in the UFC before getting stymied in her toughest test to date against top flyweight prospect Casey O’Neill. That has prompted a full-time move up to bantamweight that should be more forgiving as a much thinner division, though Lisboa makes for a rough next fight in terms of risk versus reward. Lisboa might be the dark horse of the bantamweight division at the moment. She was a surprise signing after a weak regional career but won her first two UFC fights without gaining much notice before missing all of 2024. Lisboa comes from a muay thai background but has found most of her success through wrestling and grappling, tapping out Jessica-Rose Clark and outbullying Ravena Oliveira in those two UFC bouts. Add in that Lisboa does seem to have striking power in her back pocket, and there’s a decent chance she can make a run into the top half of this division provided she stays active. Santos makes for a solid next step up, as she’s willing and able to set a pace that Lisboa’s previous UFC opponents have not bought yet. However, the call is that Lisboa is up to the task and should land the better offense in what could wind up as a grind. The pick is Lisboa via decision.

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Santos vs. Lisboa
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