%20at%20UFC%20Fight%20Night:%20Royval%20vs.%20Kape%20(also%20known)
Luana Santos defeated Melissa Croden via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 30–27) at UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Kape (also known as UFC Vegas 112) on December 13, 2025.
Fight Breakdown
- Round 1: Melissa Croden utilized her footwork, long reach, and a mix of leg and front kicks to keep distance. Luana Santos stayed composed behind a high guard, carefully picking her openings to close the distance.
- Round 2: Santos began implementing her grappling game plan, pressuring Croden and fighting hard for underhooks. She successfully executed trademark judo tosses and head-and-arm throws to bring the Canadian striker to the canvas, controlling her on the mat and looking for late-round submissions.
- Round 3: Croden attempted to keep the fight standing by landing a brief flurry of punches, but Santos quickly re-engaged in the clinch. Santos executed another throw and secured a dominant scarf-hold position on the ground. She spent the majority of the final frame pinning Croden down, chipping away with short ground-and-pound strikes to comfortably lock up the scorecard victory.
Match Statistics
The three-round bantamweight preliminary bout showcased a clear stylistic clash between Santos’ grappling control and Croden’s distance striking:
| Statistic | Luana Santos (W) | Melissa Croden (L) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Strikes Landed / Attempted | 93 / 110 (84%) | 56 / 109 (51%) |
| Significant Strikes Landed / Attempted | 12 / 24 (50%) | 22 / 74 (29%) |
| Takedowns Landed / Attempted | 3 / 7 (42%) | 0 / 1 (0%) |
| Submission Attempts | 1 | 0 |
With this gritty victory, the Brazilian prospect successfully extended her momentum at 135 pounds, leaning on her elite judo pedigree to neutralize Croden’s dangerous kickboxing.