Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Luana Santos (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Mariya Agapova (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Result: Luana Santos def. Mariya Agapova via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:27
Updated records: Santos (8-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC), Agapova (10-5 MMA, 2-4 UFC)
Key stats: Santos now has one submission in each year she’s been a pro fighter.

“I’ve been training to get the back for months – four months of training to get the back. I had to do the judo because that’s my thing – that’s where I come from. I needed to do it. But I’m so glad I trained that much because I was able to just get her and get the rear naked choke.”

“When you train hard, this is the result.”

From her judo throw to her first-round submission, Luana Santos (@luanasantosmma1) enjoyed every bit of her win and hopes to get a top-15 opponent soon.#UFCDenver Results, Interviews & More ➡️: https://t.co/JQ1Lp7IQiH

— UFC News (@UFCNews) July 14, 2024

Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Luana Santos (red gloves) fights Mariya Agapova (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

“It was great to actually have this. I trained so hard for this the last four months. I visualized this. I mentalized this. This is who I am when I get four months out of a full camp. You got to see the full, complete result.”

Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Luana Santos (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Mariya Agapova (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

“I feel like after the wins I’ve had, I should get someone in the top 15. I think the UFC may give me that chance. … I do feel I’ll be ready by November or December.”

To hear more from Santos, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 59.