Duda Santana is off the UFC Fight Night Sao Paulo card, replacing her against Tracy Cortez is Vanessa Melo.
Shawn Bitter of Cageside Press first reported the change, but a reason for Santana’s withdrawal isn’t known at this time.
Cortez (6-1-0) is going to be making her UFC debut in this bout and does so on the strength of a two fight winning streak. Cortez competed on Dana White’s Contender Series Season 3, Episode 6, defeating Mariya Agapova by unanimous decision. Cortez has competed seven times as a professional MMA fighter and four of those bouts went to the judges scorecards.
Melo (10-6-0) is winless thus far under the UFC banner, having dropped a bout to Irene Aldana via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night Mexico City. Melo has competed a total of sixteen times as a professional MMA fighter and thirteen of those bouts went the distance. Melo has seen her last eight professional MMA fights go to the judges scorecards and it has been over four years since the fighter got a finish.
UFC Fight Night Sao Paulo takes place on Saturday, November 16 from the Ibirapueroa Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil with Jan Blachowicz and Ronaldo Souza headlining. Fightful is going to be providing live coverage of the event, which streams live on ESPN+.
