5 most obscure title challengers in UFC history
This weekend sees a major show in the form of UFC 275, and at the top of the card, two title fights are on tap. However, it’s safe to say that one is more intriguing than the other.
This weekend’s co-headliner will see Valentina Shevchenko defend her flyweight title against Taila Santos, a fighter who is arguably amongst the most obscure title challengers in UFC history.
youtu.be/ZstTuT9SmOUCan Taila Santos stop Valentina Shevchenko? We're counting down to #UFC275...
📺 youtu.be/ZstTuT9SmOU https://t.co/v7X98eaPVo
Usually, the promotion attempts to ensure their title fights involve combatants with the biggest names possible. However, over the years, we have seen them forced to turn to lesser known fighters instead.
With that in mind, here are five of the most obscure title challengers in modern UFC history.
#5. Taila Santos – Women’s flyweight title challenger (UFC 275)
UFC 275, which goes down this weekend in Singapore, will see Taila Santos challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s flyweight title While the Brazilian is clearly a talented fighter, it’s probably safe to label her as one of the promotion’s most obscure title challengers, too.
Santos debuted in the octagon back in February 2019 in a split decision loss to Mara Romero Borella. Since then, she’s reeled off four victories, all over respectable opponents. Most recently, she choked out Joanne Wood in the first round of their bout in November 2021.
Taila Santos is on a roll!
Four wins in row and she moves to 18-1. https://t.co/Ruhi0uOmk4
However, that clash was the first time that Santos had ever appeared on the main card of an event. While she was impressive, winning a $50k bonus for her efforts, it wasn’t the year’s most memorable show overall, meaning the Brazilian’s win was swiftly forgotten.
When it was announced that she was next for Shevchenko, who has held the flyweight title since December 2018, it came as somewhat of a surprise, even if the division is currently devoid of any real big-name challengers.
Whether Santos can pull off what would be probably the biggest upset in the history of the promotion remains to be seen, but it’s probably safe to say that because of her somewhat obscure nature, the interest levels in this fight are somewhat low coming into this weekend.