UFC 275: Taila Santos braces up for title showdown with Valentina Shevchenko

In a conflict of scorching streaks, UFC 275 is about to host a fiery co-main occasion between reigning flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko and the most recent contender for her belt - Taila Santos - on the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Sunday.

Taila, ranked fourth within the flyweight rankings, hopes to current a recent problem to “Bullet” Shevchenko who has defended her title on six back-to-back events. The Russian can surpass the document for many title defences by a feminine champion (jointly-held with Ronda Rousey) with a win over Taila, who has backed her case for a championship combat with 4 successive wins.

“I believe it’s a conflict of titans, a conflict of giants! We're going to give it our all. It’s a giant, entertaining combat,” Taila stated in an interplay with Sportstar.

After struggling a defeat on her UFC debut, Taila shortly climbed via the rungs to land a decisive shot on the title. Taila believes she has what it takes to lastly quell Shevchenko’s dominance within the flyweight circuit. 

“I've all the time labored in direction of this purpose. This was the final word purpose, to really be preventing for a title. The work we did on the camp was very inventive and correct. We did a really targeted work on Valentina. Everybody within the crew has contributed in direction of constructing a technique as a result of we wish the onerous work to repay. All of the work that I've accomplished until now has led me to this second, so I really feel this isn't solely a decisive second for my profession however for my life as effectively,” Taila stated. 

The 28-year-old final featured in a combat in November 2021 the place she submitted tenth ranked Julianne Wooden with a rear-naked choke. Taila mirrored on her UFC journey and stated: “It’s been an extended journey. Sure, I began with a loss in Fortaleza, Brazil (2019). That helped me develop as a result of I truly needed to digest that.

“I used that loss to get higher. I truly labored and educated for all that years. I got here again stronger and placed on 4 wins in a row and the final two fights (wins in opposition to Roxanne Modafferi, and Joanne Wooden) had been actually good. All of it goes again to utilizing that loss, turning it right into a optimistic and coming again stronger. Right here I'm, preventing to deliver this belt again to Brazil.”

In her 19 victories from 20 matches within the MMA circuit, Taila has effected 10 knockout wins, three submissions and 6 wins by resolution. Nevertheless, in her 5 UFC bouts to this point, she has been stretched to 3 wins by resolution.

Taila would consider her superior floor recreation will make up for Shevchenko’s all-round presence and putting prowess.

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“I've to do every little thing that I've all the time accomplished. I perceive she is a tricky athlete, a tricky competitor. She is dominant however she isn’t unbeatable. I simply have to grind it out for the win and I do consider I can win. All I have to do is to maintain myself intense and completely satisfied to get this title that I've deserved,” Taila added. 

The Brazilian says a closely-knit household has helped her in her preparations over the previous few months. “Prior to now few months, my mother got here and stayed with me. That was one thing that occurred as quickly as we acquired the information this combat was arising. It’s been a blessing as a result of I can give attention to my recreation. In fact, she runs round so much and it’s a load off my again. I can go together with my husband (Pedro Suade, health skilled) to coach. I consider so much within the vitality of getting my household subsequent to me and it’s such optimistic vitality,” Taila signed off. 

Watch the LIVE protection of UFC 275 on SONY TEN 2 (English), SONY TEN 3 (Hindi) and SONY TEN 4 (Tamil and Telugu) channels on twelfth June 2022.