Two Brazilian fighters are set to take center stage this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, in what promises to be a thrilling main event for UFC Fight Night. Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba, both of whom are eagerly eyeing a shot at the UFC women's strawweight crown, will face off in a highly anticipated bout.
Fierce Strikers and Savvy Grapplers
Amanda Lemos, with an impressive record of 14-3-1, has built a reputation as a formidable striker in the strawweight division. Known for her ability to deliver powerful knockdowns, Lemos leads the division in this category. She has displayed resilience in her career, rebounding from a decision loss to Zhang Weili with a decisive victory over Mackenzie Dern. Speaking about her experiences and growth, Lemos stated, "It was an amazing opportunity and a dream come true. I learned a lot. We watched all my mistakes. I saw all the situations and errors that were made. I trained a lot to make sure I didn't commit them again."
Opposing her in the octagon is Virna Jandiroba, who boasts a commendable record of 20-3. Currently on a three-fight winning streak, Jandiroba has significant victories over Marina Rodriguez and Angela Hill and is a former Invicta champion. Her submission skills are well recognized, having finished 11 of 14 regional fights via submission. However, her success in submitting opponents has been less consistent in the UFC. Jandiroba attributes her recent successes to a mental transformation, saying, "Although the level of the girls now is extremely high -- they're very strong and tough -- I believe the biggest key to finishing more people in the division is mental. I needed more self-confidence, belief in my growth and my jiu-jitsu."
Potential Title Implications
The stakes for this fight are high. With a victory, either Lemos or Jandiroba could significantly bolster their chances of securing a title shot, especially with the current champion Zhang Weili expected to face the unbeaten Tatiana Suarez, who holds a record of 10-0. Both Brazilian fighters understand the importance of this bout in their journey towards the UFC women's strawweight crown.
While Lemos is known for her striking prowess, Jandiroba brings a balanced skill set, with a striking defense rate of 57% and a striking accuracy of around 38% in the UFC. Lemos's ability to learn and adapt from past encounters has only strengthened her, as she mentioned, "I'm a fighter that wants to finish time. I want to get home as quickly as possible but a win is a win. The thing that I evaluate the most is how much I've evolved as a fighter. How much more improvement was there? If I'm a better fighter [than the last time], I'm happy with my performance."
Battle of Mind and Might
Jandiroba's journey in the UFC began with a challenging debut on short notice against Carla Esparza in 2019. Since then, she has honed her craft and focused on mental fortitude. Reflecting on her growth, Jandiroba remarked, "I know I have the jiu-jitsu required to tap out many girls in the Top 10. The mental part has always been challenging and that changed a few fights ago. I think I'm going towards that line of being able to submit more people."
Both fighters are not only preparing for a physical contest but also a strategic battle of minds. The fight will likely showcase Lemos's striking capability against Jandiroba's grappling and improved mental resilience. Fans can expect a clash of styles in the octagon, with each fighter bringing their unique strengths to the fore.
As the anticipation builds for UFC Fight Night, all eyes will be on the two Brazilian contenders. For Lemos and Jandiroba, this bout is more than just another fight—it's an opportunity to etch their names closer to the top of the strawweight division and edge ever closer to a coveted title shot.
The outcome of this fight could very well reshape the landscape of the UFC women's strawweight division, setting the stage for future confrontations and new contenders to emerge. As fight night approaches, the excitement is palpable, promising an electrifying showdown at the UFC Apex.