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Brett Okamoto, ESPN Staff Writer
Former UFC title challenger Taila Santos has signed an exclusive deal with the PFL.
Officials have not formally announced the deal, but sources confirmed the news to ESPN, after an initial report by OCP News on Friday.
Santos (19-3), of Brazil, signed with the UFC after earning a deal on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2018. She went 4-1 in her first five appearances, including wins over notable names like Molly McCann, Roxanne Modafferi and Joanne Wood. She challenged Valentina Shevchenko for the 125-pound championship in 2022, and nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history in a split-decision loss.
The 30-year-old made her last UFC appearance against Erin Blanchfield in August, losing by decision.
The PFL will promote a women’s flyweight division for the first time in its regular-season history. The division will debut on April 4 in San Antonio.