Taila Santos (born June 22, 1993) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Flyweight division.
She has previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where she challenged for the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship.
With her father being a Muay Thai coach, she started training it at the age of 16, soon afterwards being enrolled in a championship at Chute Boxe of Curitiba, which Taila went to win.
Taila started to train Jiu-Jitsu, with her father organizing an MMA fight so that Taila could debut in the sport.
She went and won again.
Afterwards, her father contacted Marcelo Brigadeiro to organize the trip to Astra Fight, in Balneário Camboriú, where she resides today.
2013
After going the distance in her 2013 pro debut, she would go on to finish her next 10 bouts in the first round.
2016
In 2016, her one appearance came against Laisa Coimbra for the Aspera FC Bantamweight Championship.
She won the title with an 87-second knockout — via a punch to the body.
Taila set to fight with fellow Brazilian prospect Mariana Morais, but Morais withdrew from the Aspera FC 32 bout.
Being booked for her Invicta FC debut against Irene Aldana, Santos had to pull out due to visa issues.
After two year layoff, she was invited onto Dana White's Contender Series Brazil 2 where she faced off at Flyweight against Estefani Almeida.
She won the unanimous decision and earned a UFC contract.
2019
Santos made her UFC debut against Mara Romero Borella on February 2, 2019 at UFC Fight Night: Assunção vs. Moraes 2.
She lost the fight by split decision.
2020
Taila faced Molly McCann on 16 July 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige.
She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Santos was scheduled to face Maryna Moroz on December 5, 2020 at UFC on ESPN: Hermansson vs. Vettori.
However on November 18, it was announced that Moroz had to pull out and she was replaced by Montana De La Rosa.
Just hours before the event, the UFC decided to remove the fight after one of De La Rosa's cornermen tested positive for COVID-19.
Santos was then rescheduled to face Gillian Robertson two weeks later at UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs. Neal.
Santos won the fight via unanimous decision.
Santos was scheduled to face Roxanne Modafferi on May 8, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 24.
However, Modafferi was forced to pull out from the event citing a meniscus tear.
Santos was scheduled to face Mandy Böhm on September 4, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 191.
However, Santos was pulled from the bout due to visa issues and was replaced by Ariane Lipski.
Santos faced Roxanne Modafferi in a flyweight bout on September 25, 2021 at UFC 266.
She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Santos faced Joanne Wood on November 20, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 198.
After knocking Wood down twice, Santos won the bout via rear-naked choke at the end of the first round.
This fight earned her the Performance of the Night award.
Santos faced Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship on June 11, 2022, at UFC 275.
She lost the close bout by split decision, becoming the first fighter to win on a judge's scorecard against Shevchenko, in the flyweight division.
Santos was scheduled to face Erin Blanchfield on February 18, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 219.
The main event fight between Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Vera was rescheduled to another event, and Santos' fight against Blanchfield was promoted to the main event.
However, just one week out from the event, Santos withdrew after her cornermen were denied visas into the United States and was replaced by former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Jéssica Andrade.
The match with Erin Blanchfield was rebooked and took place on August 26, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225.
She lost the bout via unanimous decision.
On November 7, 2023, it was announced that Santos was no longer under contract with the UFC.
On March 1, 2024, it was reported that Santos signed with Professional Fighters League.
