Luana Santos secured a decision victory at UFC Vegas, but the Brazilian flyweight’s post-bout interview revealed plans that will keep her out of the octagon until mid-2024. Santos confirmed she’s scheduled to get implants and won’t return to competition until after her recovery period.
“I am, guys, for sure. I already have the surgery date scheduled,” Santos stated. “Soon. I won’t say when because people send negative energy, but I will get them soon. That’s why I want to compete around May or so.”
The timing isn’t arbitrary. Santos explained the implants will come before her next bout, requiring a mandatory recovery window.
“So it will require that little post-op period, right? Exactly. So May is a good date, right? Exactly, that’s exactly why I’m planning this time. I have to stay sidelined for a little bit, no way around it.”
Santos dubbed her upcoming transformation “Luana 2.0,” promising a turbocharged return to the division. She stated, “I feel that my body is also changing as time goes by. I’m getting stronger, more mature, muscularly.”
The decision comes after a grueling stretch where Santos competed twice in four months. “I competed four times, I did two matches in four months. I think I deserve that little break,” she said.
After recovery and surgery, she expects to target a May return giving her adequate time to heal while maintaining activity in a competitive division.
Luana Santos secured a decision victory at UFC Vegas, but the Brazilian flyweight’s post-bout interview revealed plans that will keep her out of the octagon until mid-2024. Santos confirmed she’s scheduled to undergo augmentation surgery and won’t return to competition until after her recovery period.
“I am, guys, for sure. I already have the surgery date scheduled,” Santos stated. “Soon. I won’t say when because people send negative energy, but I will get them soon. That’s why I want to compete around May or so.”
The timing isn’t arbitrary. Santos explained that the implants will come before her next bout, requiring her to take some time away from competition to recover.
“So it will require that little post-op period, right? Exactly. So May is a good date, right? Exactly, that’s exactly why I’m planning this time. I have to stay sidelined for a little bit, no way around it.”
Santos dubbed her upcoming transformation “Luana 2.0,” promising a stronger return to the division. She also believes her physical development is progressing naturally as she gains experience.
“I feel that my body is also changing as time goes by. I’m getting stronger, more mature, muscularly.”
The decision comes after a demanding stretch in which Santos competed twice in four months. She believes the break is well deserved after her recent activity.
“I competed four times, I did two matches in four months. I think I deserve that little break,” she said.
UFC strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern has previously discussed undergoing augmentation and revealed that the procedure hasn’t prevented her from continuing to compete. In an interview, Dern explained that several female athletes have implants and that she consulted her doctor about the potential risks before continuing her career.
“I know, like, a lot of the athletes, like, they have them too,” Dern revealed.
Dern also addressed concerns about the durability of implants, explaining that they have undergone extensive testing.
“They’ve done a lot of experiments. They’re very [strong].”
However, that doesn’t mean she has no concerns about taking shots to the chest during a match. Dern admitted that the possibility of an implant rupturing does cross her mind.
“I do get nervous with silicone, for it to pop or something.”
At the same time, Dern wasn’t certain whether implants actually make strikes to the chest more painful, given that she’s had them for so long.
“I don’t know. I’ve always had them. And I don’t know what [it] is without really, you know. But I did I did compete 4 months after pregnancy.”
