Brazil’s Rising Star Samara Santos Takes the ONE Championship Stage Right Out of the Gate
Samara “Marituba” Santos is stepping onto the global MMA stage without a single tune‑up fight. The 25‑year‑old ONE Championship rookie will face the reigning champion Xiong Jing Nan in the main event of ONE: BEYOND THE HORIZON on Saturday, 8 September in Shanghai. See how a farm‑field kid from Aurora do Pará turned her love of martial‑arts movies into a world‑champion dream.
From Aurora to the Arena
- A small town upbringing – Samara grew up with her parents and three brothers in Aurora do Pará, a rustic community where farm work left little free time for the kids.
- Family on the Move – to find a better life the family drifted from town to town – from Concórdia to Tailândia, and finally to Marituba, where the name “Marituba” stuck.
- Home life – parents were mostly out in the fields, returning only at night. “Even night‑time was a stretch,” Samara recalls.
- City school – the family settled in Marituba, a city offering more activities and a chance to get acquainted with people.
Training in the Rough
Picture this: no TV in the house, but a neighbor’s living room became the local portal to martial‑arts cinema. “I wanted to be a fighter even though I didn’t know it was a career,” Samara says. The spark lit in 2013 when she joined a small, community‑style MMA training group.
- Muay Thai first – the kick‑boxing foundation set the heel.
- Jiu‑Jitsu added – she joined Formiga Top Team and expanded her skill set.
- First Pro Finish – April 2015 saw her bag a third‑round TKO victory.
- Five‑win streak – 2015 became a launchpad; 5 straight wins taught her a life lesson: risk and persistence pay off.
Aiming for the World Title
Today, Santos has signed with ONE Championship and has an immediate career‑boosting opportunity: a title clash for her very first fight in the promotion. “The scope is massive. One win here could mean decent money to back my family and unleash a better life for us,” she tells us.
Her father owns the bike she rides to training. He may hoard it sometimes, forcing Samara to walk or catch a taxi, especially when the night gets dangerous or the roads flood. “We have electricity but no basic sanitation,” she notes. Yet she trains relentlessly “come rain or shine, I’ll find a way to the mats,” she vows.
Motivation and Family Loyalty
Samara’s motivation is rooted in love for her parents and siblings. Her family still works hard to support her, and she sees her rise as a chance to reciprocate. “The kids are aging, but they keep pushing forward. I want to give them a shot at a better life,” she says. She’s already competed in Salvaterra Marajo Fight Championship, and now she’s eyeing ONE Championship gold.
The big promise – if she secures a title or string of victories, Santos believes she can bring enough earnings to elevate her family’s standard of living. “It’s not just fighting for me; it’s fighting for them,” she declares.
Key Takeaways
- Immediate title challenge: first fight in ONE Championship is a world‑title showdown.
- Journey: Royally humble beginnings → relentless training → five‑win streak.
- Drive: Intended to lift her whole family to a higher standard of living.
- Underdog factor: No tune‑up fights; she’s ready for a high‑stakes debut.
It’s clear: Samara Santos is more than just a fighter; she’s a mission‑driven athlete on a path that could change the lives of everyone she’s ever loved. Brace yourselves – her attack will be swift, her heart raw, and her future bright.
