Tainara Lisboa is finally stepping back into the UFC cage this weekend, marking her first appearance in nearly three years. This return follows a significant left knee injury she sustained in late 2023. Notably, the injury occurred right after she secured a victory over Ravena Oliveira at the UFC APEX. Despite the win, she immediately underwent surgery for a knee cartilage reconstruction.
Lisboa described her recovery process as “very difficult.” The most challenging aspect, she shared, was the thought of losing her ability to do what she`s trained for her entire life. The severity of the injury and the uncertainty surrounding the surgery`s success brought her to the brink of retirement. The emotional impact was immense, having just reached the UFC and delivered strong performances, only to face the possibility of her dream ending or not being able to return at her full potential.
The 34-year-old underwent surgery on December 1, 2023, shortly after improving her UFC record to 2-0 with wins against Oliveira and Jessica-Rose Clark. The rehabilitation was rigorous, leading to a noticeable 2.3-inch muscle atrophy in her leg. She also gained weight, reaching 168 pounds, before being able to return to training. It took a full year of dedicated effort before she felt ready to notify the UFC and begin a new training camp.
Simple actions like climbing stairs became impossible during her recovery. Lisboa explained, “I learned how to walk again.” There were moments she felt her career was over, but she credits her strong support team for constantly helping her overcome discouragement. She embarked on what she calls the “toughest camp of my life” without knowing the ultimate outcome.
Unable to train physically, Lisboa found another way to stay connected to the sport. The promotion offered her a role as a color commentator for LFA and UFC events on the Brazilian version of UFC Fight Pass. This opportunity proved invaluable, helping her navigate the difficult period and feel connected to the UFC community.
Lisboa found the commentary work to be an “incredible experience.” It allowed her to “live that other side and learn,” maintaining a sense of engagement with fights. She intends to continue developing her commentary skills, believing she has a natural aptitude for it given her deep history in fighting since age 13.
Commentary also surprisingly enhanced her perspective as a fighter. By studying various athletes, including men and those in different weight classes she wouldn`t typically watch, she gained insights into different techniques and strategies, viewing it as a constant learning process.
Lisboa enters her upcoming bout with a five-fight winning streak dating back to 2021. Her opponent, Luana Santos, is moving back down to bantamweight after experiencing her first octagon loss at flyweight against Casey O’Neill. Lisboa anticipates an intriguing matchup.
She sees Santos as a “very young” fighter with impressive statistics, noting similarities in their records and a shared inclination to finish fights before the final bell. Despite a significant age difference of nine years, Lisboa believes they approach the cage with similar intentions.
While acknowledging the age gap gives her an experience advantage, Lisboa feels her resilience forged through the injury is an even bigger asset. As she put it, “Few things scare you after you go through hell.” She considers simply being able to return an enormous victory in itself.
For Lisboa, this fight is primarily about her personal journey and overcoming adversity, rather than solely about her opponent. It`s about returning to the world`s largest organization, demonstrating that she is fully recovered and capable. She understands that some may doubt the state of her knee but is confident in her readiness, while also fully preparing to face the best possible version of Luana Santos, who has also worked hard for this opportunity and has her own aspirations.
