Santos (9-2) also entered the matchup riding momentum, having submitted Lisboa in May. After her November fight with Darya Zheleznyakova fell through, she was rebooked against Croden for the UFC’s final event of the year.
Round 1 – Croden opened the round by firing leg kicks and using her footwork to stay out of range, while Santos stayed composed behind a high guard. Croden mixed in front kicks to maintain distance, forcing Santos to pick her moments to enter.
When Santos finally stepped in, she timed a sharp 1-2 after landing a leg kick. Moments later, she ducked a left hand and shot for a takedown, eating a few strikes on the way in before successfully dragging Croden to the mat. Santos secured a scarf hold and landed short right hands, but Croden worked to slip out the back. Sensing the threat, Santos tightened the position, yet Croden managed to reverse and briefly take the back.
Santos eventually shook Croden off and got back to her feet, only to absorb a heavy body kick that visibly affected her. She clinched to recover, pressing Croden against the fence, but Croden reversed the position and answered with knees to the body.
The round closed with Croden hunting a single-leg takedown, running out of time before she could finish it.
Round 2 – Croden opened the second round by firing her jab and chopping at Santos’ lead leg. Santos circled on the outside, searching for an angle to shoot from, but she appeared a step behind in the striking exchanges, which created problems early. As she tried to force her way into the clinch, she ate a clean left hand from Croden before finally managing to press her against the fence.
Santos looked for a throw while absorbing elbows in tight, but after taking her time, she succeeded in bringing Croden to the mat. Croden immediately fought to reestablish guard, maintaining a butterfly hook on the right side, whether by design or necessity.
Santos stayed heavy in half guard and attempted to transition to mount, but Croden’s left leg prevented the move. Once Croden regained full guard, she fired off short elbows from the bottom.
Late in the round, Santos dropped back for a heel hook attempt, but the clock ran out before she could fully attack the submission.
Round 3 – With the feel-out process long gone and both fighters likely sensing the score was tied at one round each, the third frame began with noticeably more patience from both sides.
Croden used her kicks to cut off Santos’ lateral movement, but when she closed the distance a bit too much, Santos clinched and pressed her against the fence. Croden fought her way free and answered with a flurry of strikes, only for Santos to quickly re-clinch, execute a throw, and land back in her preferred scarf-hold position.
Croden immediately began working to take the back again, but Santos continually adjusted, tightening her control and preventing any escape. The majority of the round played out in this position, with no stand-up from the referee despite limited progression. Santos, however, was content to maintain control, slowly chipping away with short shots while Croden remained trapped underneath her tightening hold.
The fight ended with Santos still in scarf hold, confidently raising her hands, believing she had done enough.
Luana Santos ultimately earned the decision victory, improving to 2–0 at 135 pounds.
Official: Luana Santos def. Melissa Croden via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
