TainaraLisboa had to learn “how to walk again” on an emotional roller coaster before the UFC returned

For the first time in nearly three years, Tainara Lisboa finally entered the UFC cage this weekend.

Lisboa will face young Luana Santos in the preliminary section of the UFC Vegas 106 since suffering a serious left knee injury in late 2023.

“It was extremely difficult,” Lisboa told MMA Fighting. “I was able to list many of the difficulties I faced, but the idea that I couldn’t do what I did throughout my life was the most difficult part. This injury brought me closer to retirement. It was a test surgery. The doctors revealed whether it would be successful or not.

“Imagine finally arriving at the UFC and doing two good performances, then going through that whole process. You’re living your dreams. You don’t suddenly know if you’re coming back or not.

Lisboa, 34, underwent surgery on the first day of December 2023, six weeks after she improved to 2-0 in the UFC in a victory over Oliveira and Jessica-Rose Clark. The recovery process caused muscle atrophy in the legs of 2.3 inches. The bantamweight veteran jumped to 168 pounds before returning to the mat, and eventually needed a year to let the UFC know he was ready to start camp.

“For example, we couldn’t go up the stairs,” Lisboa said. “I learned how to walk again. There were moments when I felt that was the end of the line for me, but there were some amazing teams around me. Every time I went down they would come back to pick me up.

Lisboa was unable to train in the gym. That’s when a call from a promotion came to the rescue to work as a colour common mentor. Lisboa was invited to comment on the LFA and UFC shows in the Brazilian version of UFC Fight Pass.

“Living on the other side, learning and feeling still alive in the fight was an incredible experience,” Lisboa said. “I’m going to study more and more to keep doing that. I think it’s coming. I’ll breathe the fight from the age of 13.

Also, Lisboa helped to improve as a fighter. “I don’t see much because I’m studying other athletes who aren’t on your radar, like men and other weight classes.

Lisboa will go back to 2021 on Saturday with five consecutive wins. On the other side, Santos returns to 135 pounds after a flyweight defeat to Casey O’Neill, his first loss at the Octagon.

“I think it’s going to be a very interesting fight,” Lisboa said. “Luana was very young and there were a lot of numbers. We have similar numbers. We both like to finish the fight before the final round. The age gap is huge, but we bring similar intentions to the cage.”

Lisboa believes that being nine years older than her opponent is giving her through experiencing edge. And that’s not all.

“There’s very little to scare you after you’ve gone through hell,” Lisboa said. “Being back is already a big victory on its own. This fight isn’t about who is on the other side. It’s about myself. It’s everything I’ve experienced and I can go back to the world’s largest organization. I can go back to work and show that I’m fine.