UFC releases former title challenger Taila Santos

Taila Santos is no longer part of the UFC roster.

Santos, a former women’s flyweight title challenger, was released from her contract after seven fights with the promotion. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the news to MMA Junkie on Tuesday after UFC Roster Tracker shared it on X (formerly Twitter).

Santos had “a couple of fights” left on her deal. It’s unclear why she was released.

Santos (19-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC), who punched her ticket to the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018, came close to upsetting then-champion Valentina Shevchenko in their flyweight title fight at UFC 275 in June 2022. She lost the bout by split decision.

The 30-year-old Brazilian has since lost another close bout to top contender Erin Blanchfield this past August at UFC Fight Night 225. Prior to her two-fight setback, Santos was on a four-fight winning streak against Molly McCann, Gillian Robertson, Roxanne Modafferi, and Joanne Wood.