Aieza Bertolso, a 23-year-old strawweight MMA fighter with a strong amateur background and a 19-fight winning streak, is set to compete at LFA 209 in Brazil, aiming for bigger opportunities in the sport by defeating former ONE Championship contender Samara Santos.
Not many MMA fighters choose to have a long amateur career before going pro. But when they do, especially young, they often find themselves ahead of the competition.
Take 23-year-old strawweight Aieza Bertolso, for example. She’s a top prospect entering LFA 209 in Cuiabá, Brazil, with a 19-fight winning streak. After winning multiple amateur IMMAF championships, she turned pro in 2023 and has gone 5-0 since under the LFA banner. A win over Samara Santos on May 24 could open doors to bigger opportunities.
“I feel ready to fight for the LFA title, or even in the UFC,” Bertolso told MMA Fighting. “I’m sure I’m more than ready to represent and fly even higher in my career.”
Bertolso hails from Alto Taquari, a small town 300 miles from Cuiabá. She started jiu-jitsu young, inspired by watching Cris Cyborg, Ronda Rousey, Amanda Nunes, and Jessica Andrade on YouTube. She dreamed of becoming like them.
At 17, she moved to Rio de Janeiro to transition from grappling to MMA, joining MSP gym. Her coaches saw her talent after a few amateur wins and enlisted her on the amateur circuit, gaining experience worldwide.
She won her first IMMAF world championship in 2021 and vowed to turn pro after a second title. That came in 2023, and three months later, she was competing for LFA. Named a top Brazilian prospect for 2025, Bertolso is looking to cement her position as the sport’s future.
“This year is going to be great for my career,” Bertolso said. “I’m focused on this next fight because a good win could take me higher, not just in LFA.”
Her opponent, Santos, is a former ONE Championship contender with a 12-9-1 record. She challenged Xiong Jing Nan for the ONE title in 2018 and has gone 1-1 on the Brazilian circuit since leaving the promotion.
Bertolso has scored seven of her nine submission victories in the opening round. She predicts she’ll tap out Soares in Cuiabá.
“She’s experienced, and I’m excited for this fight,” Bertolso said. “I respect her, and I’m ready for challenges I haven’t faced yet. I want to show I’m ready to fight more experienced girls and get the victory.”