Luana Santos beat Yana Santos by unanimous decision on October 31, 2026, at UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Nolan in Las Vegas, extending her bantamweight winning streak to four fights and rising to number three in the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings. The 26-year-old Brazilian, a judo black belt nicknamed the “Brazilian Ronda,” has turned a late move up to bantamweight into a title-contender run, and her win over the fifth-ranked Yana Santos was the biggest of her career.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Luana do Valle Lopes Gonzalez Santos |
| Born | April 16, 2000 |
| Age | 26 years old |
| Birthplace | São Paulo, Brazil |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg) |
| Division | Bantamweight |
| Team | 011 MMA Team / Team Lucas Mineiro |
| Pro Debut | 2021 |
| Record | 12–2 |
Who Is Luana Santos?
Luana Santos, whose full name is Luana do Valle Lopes Gonzalez Santos, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of October 31, 2026, she is ranked number three in the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings, with a professional record of 12 wins and 2 losses, including one knockout, five submissions and six decisions.
Santos fights out of the 011 MMA Team and Team Lucas Mineiro in Brazil. A judo black belt who began the sport at age eight, she is nicknamed the “Brazilian Ronda” after her idol Ronda Rousey.
Early Life & Background
Luana do Valle Lopes Gonzalez Santos was born on April 16, 2000, in São Paulo, Brazil. She began judo at age eight, following her father into the sport, and went on to win Continental Cup gold at the 2017 Cadet European Cup before earning her judo black belt at age 18.
Santos’s admiration for former UFC champion Ronda Rousey earned her the nickname the “Brazilian Ronda” early in her career. She made her professional mixed martial arts debut on July 15, 2021, winning by submission, and built her record on the Brazilian regional scene before joining the Legacy Fighting Alliance in 2022.
Career & Journey
Santos made her UFC debut on August 12, 2023, stopping Juliana Miller by first-round technical knockout. She lost to Casey O’Neill at UFC 305 on August 17, 2024, her only UFC defeat to date, and in 2025 she moved up to the bantamweight division.
The move to bantamweight transformed Santos’s career. She won four straight fights in the division: Tainara Lisboa on May 17, 2025, Melissa Croden on December 13, 2025, Karol Rosa on June 20, 2026, and Yana Santos by unanimous decision on October 31, 2026, at UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Nolan at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, where Yana Santos entered ranked fifth in the division.
Santos’s win over Yana Santos, reported by Cageside Press on October 31, 2026, and featured by ESPN, lifted her to number three in the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings and put her firmly in the title conversation heading into 2027.
Facts About Luana Santos
- Santos began judo at age eight, following her father into the sport.
- She earned her judo black belt at age 18.
- Santos is nicknamed the “Brazilian Ronda” after her idol Ronda Rousey.
- She won her UFC debut by first-round technical knockout over Juliana Miller in August 2023.
- Santos has won four straight fights since moving up to bantamweight in 2025.
How old is Luana Santos?
Luana Santos is 26 years old. She was born on April 16, 2000, in São Paulo, Brazil.
Which division does Luana Santos fight in?
Luana Santos fights in the UFC women’s bantamweight division, where she is ranked number three.
Who did Luana Santos beat on October 31, 2026?
On October 31, 2026, Luana Santos beat Yana Santos by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night: Moicano vs. Nolan in Las Vegas.
What is Luana Santos’s MMA record?
Luana Santos has a professional MMA record of 12 wins and 2 losses, with one knockout, five submissions and six decisions.
Why is Luana Santos called the Brazilian Ronda?
Luana Santos is nicknamed the Brazilian Ronda because of her admiration for former UFC champion Ronda Rousey.
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