Taila analyzes mistakes and successes in an even fight against Shevchenko and guarantees: 'The belt will be mine'

Big 'stone in the shoe' of Valentina Shevchenko in flyweight (up to 56,7kg.) of Ultimate, Taila Santos vented about the great moment he had last Saturday (11). Defeated by the champion in a split decision by the judges, the Santa Catarina native has reason to celebrate. Exclusively to SUPER FIGHTS, the Brazilian recalled the historic episode in which she managed to expose an MMA legend.

An underdog in the bookmakers, Santos achieved what no other fighter had done at flyweight. For five rounds, the Tupiniquim was able to show weaknesses in the game of one of the best of all time in the sport.

Hits and misses

Days after 'hitting the post' and losing the chance to become the first Brazilian to assume the flyweight throne, Santos admits to having revisited the confrontation against Shevchenko. Firstly, the Santa Catarina native points out the main successes and mistakes in the dispute.

“The biggest success was that I gave everything. I knew it would be a tough fight, a war. I wasn't going to give up, and neither was she. It was a mistake, I think that collision, where I was headbutted. It messed everything up. I don't see a real mistake in the fight, because I gave myself body and soul. I was light to get the victory”, admitted Santos.

Differentiator to surprise the legend

Even with the negative result, Taila was the athlete who came closest to overcoming Valentina in the under-56,7kg category. With this, the fighter analyzes what made her differentiators in coming close to making history in mixed martial arts.

“I have always respected and know that she (Valentina) is not there (with the belt) by chance and that she is a tough and intelligent athlete. But I've always believed that she's not that monster everyone talks about. That's what I could prove. She is not. (…) I said I saw her flaws on the ground and that’s where I imposed my game. (…) She is a conquerable girl, who gets tired, feels pain. I managed to enforce what I said I would do,” she said.

Drama with eye injury

Although he had a great performance against Shevchenko, Santos experienced real drama during the clash against the champion. At one point during the fight, the Brazilian ended up suffering an accidental head collision and losing part of her vision in the final stretch of the fight. At a physical disadvantage, the Santa Catarina native opens up about how the incident was in favor of the Kyrgyzstani.

“In the third round, I felt like there was a collision, but I didn’t know what it was. I only found out later. I felt the impact right away, my eye started to hurt. I went to the corner, I was looking at the ground and I could see everything normal. When the fourth (round) started, I went to look at her (Valentina) and I couldn't see anything. (…) I didn’t even know I had cut it, it swelled and closed immediately. (…) 'What do I do now? Do I keep my eyes closed? Then, she will see that it is closed and will hit it even more. You can't go when it's open'. I took it with my belly. (…) I won't blame the headbutt, but it interfered a lot. (…) I had no idea where she was. (…) She got in the way a lot, it was a watershed,” she said.

Promising future

The split decision defeat, unlike frustrating Taila, doesn't seem to bother him. The fighter guarantees that she will fight for the belt again and promises success in the new attempt.

“You can wait. As I have already shown, Taila is here to stay. This belt is mine,” she concluded.

With morals

Overcome in UFC 275, Santos, despite the stumble, rose in the Ultimate rankings in the weekly update. Now, the Brazilian occupies second place in the division, behind only Katlyn chookagian and the owner of the belt.

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