Mairon Santos Looks for Redemption Against Muhammad Naimov at UFC 323

Mairon Santos is gearing up for a pivotal fight at UFC 323, returning to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, a venue that holds personal significance for him. His last experience there was bittersweet, as he walked away from a controversial split-decision victory against Francis Marshall at UFC 313 back in March 2025. Reflecting on that match, Santos admitted he felt he deserved to lose, making this next fight an opportunity for redemption.

“Fighting in Vegas is like fighting at home,” Santos expressed in an interview. “I’m excited. It’s going to be great because it’ll be at T-Mobile. Once again, the UFC is putting me on a big card, the last pay-per-view of the year. It’s another chance to redeem myself from the last time I fought at T-Mobile and put on a great performance.”

Santos’ journey in the UFC has been impressive thus far, with a record of 16-1 and three consecutive wins under the organization. His latest victory came against Sodiq Yusuff, where he secured a decision win at the UFC APEX in May. Despite the high stakes of competing in front of large crowds, Santos claims that his focus remains unwavering. “Once the cage door closes, it could be UFC, LFA, or my backyard; my focus is always the same,” he stated.

In this upcoming bout, Santos will face Muhammad Naimov, a fighter he has been aware of since their early careers in the U.S. regional circuit. Naimov boasts a respectable 5-1 record in the UFC, with his only loss coming against Felipe Lima. Santos recognizes the challenge Naimov presents but remains confident in his abilities, asserting that defeating Naimov could position him closer to entering the official rankings.

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“I’m very happy to be fighting him,” Santos said. “He’s a guy who will put me right at the door of the rankings. I see him as a complete opponent, but at the same time, even though he can do everything, I don’t think he’s a specialist in anything.”

Santos plans to execute his striking skills effectively to frustrate Naimov, stating his intent to finish the fight before it goes to the judges once more. “I’m training hard to finish this fight because my last two wins were decisions and that’s not how I want my fights to end,” he explained. He anticipates that his pressure will overwhelm Naimov, predicting a knockout either in the second or third round.

While Santos’ most recent fight occurred at lightweight, he views this bout as a return to his natural weight class of featherweight. Though he respects the lightweight division, he feels more comfortable at 145 pounds, likening his career trajectory to that of Max Holloway, who initially excelled in featherweight before moving up.

“I see myself like a Max Holloway, who built his career at 145 and eventually moved up,” Santos remarked, emphasizing his preference for featherweight and his aspirations for long-term success in that division. He acknowledged the challenges of weight management, indicating his desire to consistently perform at his best.

As Santos prepares for this potential turning point in his career, he remains focused on executing his game plan and delivering an unforgettable performance at UFC 323.