Brazil’s Taila Santos might look good, but Joanne Wood (formerly Calderwood) said Wednesday at the UFC Vegas 43 media day that what you see on the surface covers up a lacking in her upcoming opponent’s resume.
Wood, 35, got married during her training camp to Syndicate MMA owner and coach John Wood. Some focused on her wedding, as well as the couple’s positive reaction to seeing her updated last name accurately displayed on UFC promotional materials. But the focus right now for Wood is on Santos, and she wasn’t shy about saying her opponent’s past opposition is lacking.
Joanne Wood throws some shade at the resume of Taila Santos
“Respect her. I feel like she looks great, muscles on muscles, and her record’s great,” said Wood of Santos. “But I kind of looked at it more in detail, and she’s not really fought anyone since she got on [Dana White’s Contender Series]. Everyone she’s fought from Brazil has not that great a record, just a couple of fights. She’s definitely not fought the competition I’ve been in with.”
One of Santos’ last opponents can provide Wood with a great degree of insight. That being teammate Roxanne Modafferi.
“She just fought my teammate, Roxanne, and she’s known for being a grappler. [Santos] was trying her hardest to get her to the ground, so I was like, ‘It’s probably going to be the same fight if she’s trying to get Roxanne to the ground.’ I can see it being grueling, but I’m gonna make it fun and just go in there and do what I do, flow, and try to make it an exciting fight.”
Wood added that one of her career goals is to win a “Fight of the Year” award.
“The biggest thing for me is, man, I want a “Fight of the Year.” It takes two to tango. I don’t think it will happen this Saturday, but these fights are happening, and like, I just want to be part of that. That’s another goal of mine. Yeah, just go in there, have fun, and put on a performance,” she said.
Santos hoping to take advantage of recent momentum at UFC Vegas 43
Santos has been itching to return to the Octagon since taking down Modafferi, her third straight win with the promotion.
“Yeah, that’s what I wanted. I wanted to take advantage of my hype right now. Just got a good victory two months ago, and that’s what I want: to keep fighting,” Santos said through an interpreter on Wednesday.
Regarding Wood, Santos was succinct in her breakdown of her opponent.
“I know she’s very, very tough. I know about her striking background, but a lot of people think I’m a grappler, but my roots are striking/Muay Thai. So, I’m sure it’s going to be a great fight,” she added.
The Brazilian said she was not worried about Wood having access to Modafferi in terms of developing a game plan. “No, I’m not concerned at all. I’m confident. My team and I had a really good camp, and we have a really good plan for this fight,” said Santos.
UFC Vegas 43 takes place on Nov. 20 from inside the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nev. and is headlined by a clash of ranked women’s bantamweights when former champion Miesha Tate faces Ketlen Vieira in a five-round matchup. The event kicks off at 3 pm ET, and air exclusively on ESPN+.
–Field Level Media
