After a break of almost three years, Tainara Lisboa is finally set to step back into the UFC cage this weekend.
She is scheduled to face the younger Luana Santos in the preliminary bouts of UFC Vegas 106. This upcoming fight will be her first since sustaining a severe left knee injury in late 2023. Prior to the injury, she had defeated late-notice replacement Ravena Oliveira at the UFC APEX, but the injury occurred, leading her straight to surgery for cartilage reconstruction.
Lisboa described the experience as “very difficult.” She stated, “While I encountered numerous challenges, the most trying aspect was being unable to do what I`ve dedicated my life to. This injury brought me close to retirement. The surgery itself was experimental, with the doctor making it clear the outcome was uncertain.”
She reflected on the emotional toll: “Think about going through all of that right after finally reaching the UFC and delivering two strong performances. You`re living your dream, and suddenly you don`t know if you`ll ever return. And even if you do, will you be the same Tainara? Can you reach your full potential? It was incredibly complex to navigate.”
Lisboa, aged 34, had her surgery on December 1, 2023. This was approximately six weeks after she improved her UFC record to 2-0 with victories over Ravena Oliveira and Jessica-Rose Clark. The subsequent recovery was grueling, resulting in significant muscle atrophy in her thigh, measuring 2.3 inches. The veteran bantamweight gained weight, reaching 168 pounds before she could even return to training mats. It took a full year before she felt ready to inform the UFC that she could begin a training camp.
“I couldn`t even climb stairs,” Lisboa recounted, emphasizing the severity. “I literally had to relearn how to walk. There were times I believed my career was over, but I was surrounded by an incredible team. Whenever I felt discouraged, they were there to lift me up. I embarked on the most challenging training camp of my life, uncertain of the outcome.”
Unable to train physically, Lisboa found a different way to stay connected to the sport when the promotion invited her to work as a color commentator. She was asked to commentate on LFA and UFC events for the Brazilian version of UFC Fight Pass. This role significantly helped her cope with the difficult period and maintain a sense of belonging within the UFC organization.
“Experiencing the sport from a different perspective, learning, and still feeling connected to the fights was an incredible experience,” Lisboa shared. “I intend to continue studying and improving in commentary. I believe I have a knack for it. I`ve lived and breathed fighting since I was 13, so watching and discussing fights comes naturally to me.”
She also noted that commentary unexpectedly benefited her fighting skills. “You study athletes you wouldn`t normally focus on, including male fighters and different weight classes,” she explained. “This exposure allows you to observe new techniques and insights. It`s a continuous learning process.”
Lisboa heads into Saturday`s fight on an impressive five-fight winning streak, which began in 2021. Her opponent, Luana Santos, is returning to the bantamweight division (135 pounds) after suffering her first UFC defeat, a loss to Casey O’Neill at flyweight.
“I anticipate this will be a very intriguing fight,” Lisboa commented. “Luana is quite young and has strong stats. Our metrics are actually quite similar, and we both prefer to finish our opponents before the judges` scorecards. Despite the significant age difference, we approach the fight with similar intentions in the cage.”
Lisboa believes her nine-year age advantage translates into a significant edge in experience, and not only in the fight itself.
“After enduring hell, few things can frighten you,” Lisboa stated. “Simply making it back is a massive triumph on its own. For me, this fight isn`t primarily about my opponent; it`s about myself, it`s about everything I`ve overcome, and the ability to compete again in the world`s premier organization. It`s about returning to my profession and proving that I am healthy, that my knee is completely fine. People have doubts about that. I am certain I will face the best version of Luana, as she has also trained diligently and pursues her dreams. I have prepared specifically for her peak performance.”
