‘How Are We Not In The Main Event?’

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

“Get my picture on the poster, goddamn it.”

NASHVILLE, TN — Taila Santos is confused by the PFL Nashville fight card lineup this weekend (Fri., Aug. 2, 2024).

2024 led the one-time UFC flyweight title challenger to new pastures when she signed with the PFL to participate in its seasonal tournament. PFL acquired one of the best fighters on the planet with the surprise addition of Santos, making her one of the favorites to become a millionaire champion.

Now one fight away from the finals, Santos is essentially competing in the finals before the finals when she battles the reigning Bellator champion Liz Carmouche. As two of the very best 125-pound fighters on the planet, Santos doesn’t understand how the matchup is opening this weekend’s main card. Sorry, Tim Johnson and Denis Goltsov.

“If you look at the whole context, How are we not in the main event or co-main at least?” Santos told MMA Mania. “Get my picture on the poster, goddamn it. That’s one of the big things is not having the picture on the poster. Kind of bums me out.”

Santos’ biggest fight undeniably came in her lone UFC title bid opposite the then-champion Valentina Shevchenko. Despite losing a split decision, Santos performed better than almost anyone else against “The Bullet” at the time, winning in the minds of several throughout the community.

Against the streaking nine-fight unbeaten Carmouche (22-7), Santos (19-3) believes she’ll have an equally difficult challenge awaiting her.

“Liz is one of the most interesting opponents in the tournament and someone I’ve always wanted to fight,” Santos said. “She’s a very important icon in women’s MMA and our recent history. At the end of the day, I’m here to win the whole thing. I prepared for everybody, I prepared for the best there are and she’s probably one of the best in the tournament. So, come Friday night, we’re gonna have to get that done.

“I think if you think about throughout my entire career, it’s probably gonna be Liz and Shevchenko up there. The two are easily the most accomplished and [best] fighters I’ve fought.”

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