San Antonio, TX – In her first fight since having her second child UFC bantamweight Yana Santos takes on a former champion in Holly Holm at UFC San Antonio on Saturday night.
“It’s my second baby, but first fight after second baby,” Santos told reporters on Wednesday.
Santos (14-6) hasn’t fought since UFC 264 in 2021 where she lost against Irene Aldana. The long layoff was due to having her second child. Fight life and mom life took some adjustment, but Santos feels she’s gotten a good grip on it.
“Sometimes challenging because motherhood (by itself is) already hard. I think it’s given me some extra strength and extra laughs, extra support. I think I found good balance,” she said.
Support, motivation, strength and balance she will need against former UFC bantamweight champion Holm who has also had a long layoff.
Santos said she had expected this fight to happen long ago so getting it not was not a surprise.
“I was ready to fight earlier, but she was injured. Then here it is,” said Santos.
“I don’t think (Holm) is the biggest name (I’ve fought.) Cris Cyborg biggest name, but she’s so tough, and (I’m) so grateful that I got this opportunity. I respect her so much, we trained together a lot, and she was probably first big star (that I met) when I got to America.”
With no title fight set for bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, as of this posting, it’s possible that with a good showing that Santos could sneak her way into the title picture.
“I think yes, but I always try not to look over (the current) fight, and focus only on fight this Saturday,” she said.
If not her then who should get the title shot then?
“I think Irene Aldana deserve,” Santos said while also pointing out that Aldana has had issues making weight in the past.
“But she won her fights, and I think she deserves (it).”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Yana Santos above. She takes on Holly Holm in the co-main event at UFC San Antonio on Saturday night.
