Tayra Santos (20-3) has declared that wearing the Professional Fighters League championship belt around her waist will be the pinnacle of her career.
Santos, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title challenger, came as a surprise to many when he signed with the PFL in March. The Brazilian put himself ahead in the race for the PFL 2024 regular season playoffs after earning a first-round submission win over Ilala Joanne in his Smart Cage debut in April.
Santos will face unbeaten prospect Jenna Bishop (7-0) in the 2024 PFL 4 regular season on June 12 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. A win against Bishop would secure Santos a playoff spot and put her on the path to winning $1 million. Santos claims winning the PFL championship would be the reward of a lifetime of hard work and dedication.
“My experience with the PFL has been just phenomenal,” Santos said at PFL Media Day. “The fighters that are here are amazing. I had some really fun matches this week and last week. So, it’s been awesome so far.” [as] “This championship record is the pinnacle of my career. This is literally what I’ve been fighting for my whole life, competing, training and preparing for my whole career, so I’m looking forward to this moment.”
Santos lost a controversial split decision in her UFC bantamweight title fight against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 275 in June 2022. It may have been a bitter experience, but Santos insists winning the PFL title will more than make up for that loss.
“Yes, this is a dream come true. I have been doing this my whole life. I have been training since I was a little girl, honestly. This is not just a fight, it’s the pinnacle of my career. It’s everything I had to let go of. Every sacrifice I have made in my life to live this moment with that belt around my waist.”
