UFC Fight Night 279 — Kape vs. Horiguchi 2 · Jun 20, 2026 · UFC Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada

· Main Card · Women's Bantamweight · 3R

Karol
Rosa

18-5-0 · #10 Ranked Women's Bantamweight

VS

Luana
Santos

7-1-0 · Surging Unranked Women's Bantamweight Prospect

AI Fight Prediction · Stats Comparison · Full Fight Card

2026 AI Algorithm Prediction

KAROL Win Probability LUANA
58%
42%

Winner

Rosa

Method

Unanimous Decision

Round

Full 3R

Rosa Edges Out Santos

Karol Rosa’s sharper fight IQ and relentless, diverse striking output wears down Luana Santos over three rounds to take the clear decision win.

Rosa will look to keep the fight on the feet where she can utilize her devastating leg kicks and long range to avoid Santos’ takedown and grappling threats. Santos will pressure early to get the fight to the mat, but Rosa’s solid takedown defense and consistent cardio will allow her to outpoint her younger opponent through the full 15 minutes.

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Round-by-round breakdown · Tactical commentary · Key factors

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Why This Fight Matters

Superior Striking & Endurance

Rosa’s wide arsenal of kicks, especially her brutal leg kicks, allow her to chip away at opponents from range while avoiding dangerous close-quarters exchanges. Her elite endurance means she can keep that high output going from the first bell to the last, outworking opponents who fade late.

Elite Grappling & Wrestling

Santos is one of the most dangerous grapplers in the division, with a world-class wrestling base that lets her take almost any opponent down when she closes the distance. If she gets the fight to the mat, she has the positional control and submission skill to end the fight at any point.

Range Control Battle

This fight will be decided almost entirely by who can dictate the distance; if Rosa can keep Santos on the end of her strikes, she’ll cruise to a decision win, but if Santos can get inside, she can drag the fight to her world. The early rounds will be critical for both fighters to establish their preferred range early, as momentum will be hard to shift once one fighter takes control.

Top 15 Spot On The Line

As the #10 ranked bantamweight, Rosa is fighting to hold onto her spot in the top 10 and move closer to a potential title eliminator spot with a win. For Santos, a win over a ranked opponent would catapult her into the top 15 and immediately make her one of the most exciting young prospects to watch in the division.

Combat Stats Comparison

KAROL Stat LUANA
89
Punch Power
91
91
Punch Speed
92
+5 ▲94
Kick Power
89
88
Striking Defense
87
87
Grappling
+8 ▲95
92
Chin
Durability
90
94
Stamina
92
+8 ▲88
Fight IQ
80

Career Records

Karol Rosa

Record18-5-0
Status#10 Ranked Women's Bantamweight
Age32
Height5'4"
Reach67"
NationalityBrazil

Aggressive, well-rounded striker with heavy, diverse kicks, solid takedown defense and elite cardio that lets her push a grueling pace for all three rounds.

Luana Santos

Record7-1-0
StatusSurging Unranked Women's Bantamweight Prospect
Age25
Height5'4"
Reach66"
NationalityBrazil

High-level grappler with elite wrestling skills and heavy hands, who looks to close distance quickly to get fights to the mat where she hunts for finishes.

How Each Fighter Wins

Karol's Path to Victory

  • • Keep the fight standing for all three rounds, utilizing range to avoid takedowns
  • • Target Santos' lead leg with kicks early to slow her forward pressure and takedown entries
  • • Her heavy, fast kicks and incredibly durable chin that lets her walk through fire to land her own shots
  • • Push a constant high pace, outpoint Santos with volume and avoid extended grappling exchanges

Luana's Path to Victory

  • • Close the distance early, get Rosa to the mat and secure a submission finish before she can build momentum on the feet
  • • Use her fast hand speed to close gaps, feint to draw Rosa into exchanges that allow her to clinch up and work for takedowns
  • • Her high-level grappling and wrestling ability that gives her a massive edge on the ground
  • • Pressure early, avoid trading at range for extended periods, and force Rosa to defend takedowns to drain her cardio

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UFC Fight Night 279 — Kape vs. Horiguchi 2 — Full Fight Card

Fighter Profiles

FAQ

Who wins Karol Rosa vs Luana Santos?

Karol Rosa takes home a unanimous decision win in this bantamweight clash. Her superior fight IQ, range control, and endless cardio let her outpoint Luana Santos over three rounds, defending takedowns consistently and landing more damaging strikes across the board. While Santos has moments of success with her grappling in the first round, Rosa adjusts quickly to shut down her entries and take over the fight in the second and third frames.

When and where is UFC Fight Night 279 — Kape vs. Horiguchi 2?

This fight takes place at UFC Fight Night 279 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on June 20, 2026, as part of a card headlined by the highly anticipated rematch between Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi. The UFC Apex always delivers intimate, high-energy cards with ranked contenders looking to make their mark in their respective divisions.

What is Karol Rosa's record going into UFC Fight Night 279?

Karol Rosa holds a professional record of 18-5-0, with notable recent wins over Lina Länsberg, Norma Dumont, and Bethe Correia. She has proven she can hang with the best in the division, going the distance with top contender Mayra Bueno Silva in a close split decision loss back in 2024.