Tainara Lisboa: ‘I’m Rising from the Ashes’

A serious knee injury forced Tainara Lisboa to contemplate whether or not she had reached the end of the line. Though she remained on the sidelines for more than a year, she decided to give her mixed martial arts career another go.

“I was injured while in training camp for my last fight,” Lisboa told Sherdog.com. “The injury kept getting worse, and there was no way to avoid surgery. I came close to retiring. I’m very thankful to my doctor, to my physical therapist and to my conditioning coach. They were very important in my rehabilitation. It was slow, painful and difficult, but we did it. We’re finally ready to come back. I’m very happy to be back.

“Only I know the fear and pain I went through,” she added. “Knowing that I have the opportunity to continue pursuing my dream is fantastic.”

Lisboa will return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s bantamweight division when she takes on Luana Santos as part of the UFC Fight Night 256 undercard this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The 34-year-old Brazilian finds herself on a five-fight winning streak. However, Lisboa has not competed since she laid claim to a unanimous decision over Ravena Oliveira—while injured—at UFC Fight Night 230 on Oct. 14, 2023.

“I have been dedicating my life to martial arts since age 13,” Lisboa said. “I almost lost that due to an injury. I’m rising from the ashes and very happy to be back.”

Pre-fight preparation was done at the Damas 013 camp in Santos, Brazil, where Lisboa rounded into form under longtime coach Bruno “Polengo” Rebelo and a host of other trusted trainers.

“I’m always training and looking for ways to correct my flaws,” she said. “The aim is to make my MMA game as complete as possible, so I can keep winning and so I can feel comfortable no matter how a fight plays out. The goal is to be unafraid on the feet, on the mat or during grappling exchanges. It’s important to constantly look to evolve in MMA.”

Santos, 25, should provide a stern test. Now operating out of the Syndicate MMA outfit in Las Vegas, she has rattled off five wins across her past six outings. Santos last suited up at UFC 305, where she dropped a unanimous decision to Casey O’Neill on Aug. 17. Lisboa would have preferred to face some other than a fellow countrywoman.

“It’s a pity that with so many nationalities I end up facing a Brazilian in the UFC again, but it’s part of our job,” she said. “Luana and I have similar career trajectories. I respect what she’s accomplished. She comes from an excellent judo background, but she also moves very well on the feet. This fight isn’t about who I’m facing. It’s very much about me, about all the time spent dreaming about my return and working my way back. I’m much stronger after my surgery, physically and mentally. I very much respect Luana, but I’m highly confident in the work I’ve been doing with my team. I’m happy, hungry and excited.”

The injury-induced sabbatical did nothing the dull Lisboa’s ambition.

“I plan to win this fight in a convincing manner and get into the rankings,” she said. “My focus is always on the belt, and we’re taking it one step at a time. I already have another name in mind after this win.”