Athletes
Yana Santos: “I Can’t Wait To Hit Her”
After Dropping Her Last Two Fights, Santos Believes She Will Get Back Into The Win Column After Defeating Karol Rosa At UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Magomedov
Becoming a mother for the second time has changed Yana Santos’ outlook on fights, specifically when she loses fights.
“My main thing now is to take care of my baby,” Santos said. “I don't have time to build a depression or anything like that. I come back to her and am back to being a mom full time. I think the baby helped me mentally stay in a good mind after a tough time, and you just laugh. You come back from hotel, and she'll hug you, smile, and everything that was in the arena stays there.”
For the first time in her career, Santos is on a two-fight losing streak after dropping fights to Irene Aldana and, most recently, Holly Holm in March. There’s nothing more that Santos wants than to get back in the win column, and she’ll look to do that this weekend against Karol Rosa at UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Magomedov.
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Last time around, she lost to Holm via unanimous decision. That fight is in the past now, though, and the 33-year-old is focused on moving forward.
“When I decided to come back after delivering the baby, I put it in my mind that I do this because I love it and I want to enjoy every part,” Santos said. “I put in my mind, even if I lose the whole year, I'm not going to be upset. (Holly) is a former champion and I know that she's so tough. I'm just happy that I went there and I'm happy that I prepared for this upcoming fight.”
Santos’ fight was originally scheduled as a 135-pound bout against Macy Chiasson, but Chiasson recently withdrew from the bout due to injury, which led to Brazil’s Karol Rosa stepping into to take the fight, which is now being held at featherweight.
Fight week is going as planned for Santos, and she’s even enjoying it a little bit more due to not having to cut weight. Even though a late opponent change is something no fighter enjoys, Santos had a feeling this would happen.
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“I was preparing myself for this (change),” Santos said. “I know that Macy got injured, but I was thinking that it's a hard time for her to make weight. A lot of girls who know her say be prepared, because maybe she not going to fight. I put it just my mind that I could face anyone.”
There was one thing that changed during this camp for Santos, something that could be a big factor in Saturday’s match.
“The first fight I had camp the same time as my husband (Thiago Santos) and that was a little bit tough because I didn’t really sleep; two hours maximum at night,” Santos said. “This time I slept and that's a main thing for recovery. I slept every single day. He helped me with this part. I was so surprised after the first night how much it's important. I slept and went to sparring and I felt like a different person.”
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When the opponent switch happened, Santos felt confident. She mentioned that she had a hard time finding training partners that matched Chiasson’s style, and although she is not underestimating Rosa by any means, she believes their styles mesh better, and she was able to find sparring partners that matched well.
“I think she's a tough, well-rounded fighter,” Santos said. “She can hit, she can grapple, black belt in jiu jitsu. Probably she will be much heavier than me, but I think I will be faster. I like to strike, too. I feel her game matches mine. I think it'll be an exciting fight.”
Santos is confident in the gameplan her and her team have created, and she is ready for anything that might come her way. She’s eager to show that off on Saturday night and get back into the win column.
“I have an answer for everything, and I can't wait to hit her.”
UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Magomedov took place live from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 1, 2023. See the Final Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC Fight Pass!
