Two Brazilian fighters, Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba, will take center stage this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas for the main event of UFC Fight Night. Both athletes are aiming for a potential shot at the UFC women’s strawweight title, making this a crucial matchup in their careers.
Path to the Main Event
Amanda Lemos enters the octagon with a record of 14-3-1. Known as the strawweight division’s top threat in terms of knockdowns, Lemos has shown her striking prowess repeatedly. Despite suffering a decision loss to reigning champion Zhang Weili, Lemos bounced back with a decision victory over Mackenzie Dern, demonstrating her resilience and ability to learn from past mistakes.
"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," said Lemos, reflecting on her loss to Weili. Her commitment to improvement has been evident in her performances.
Jandiroba's Journey
Virna Jandiroba, with an impressive record of 20-3, is currently on a three-fight winning streak. A former Invicta champion, Jandiroba made her UFC debut in 2019 on short notice against Carla Esparza. Despite her early challenges, she has had notable victories over Marina Rodriguez and Angela Hill. Jandiroba has completed 11 of her 14 regional contests via submission, although she's found submission success less consistent in the UFC arena.
Jandiroba attributes much of her recent success to a mental transformation. "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," said Jandiroba. Her focus on mental strength appears to be paying off in her performances.
Clash of Styles
Saturday’s fight promises an intriguing clash of styles. Lemos leads the division in knockdowns and has improved significantly since her encounter with Zhang Weili. Her striking is expected to be a considerable challenge for Jandiroba, who has a striking defense rate of 57% and an accuracy rate around 38%. However, Jandiroba's submission skills and her recent mental fortitude could present a formidable counter to Lemos’s striking dominance.
Jandiroba herself is optimistic about her jiu-jitsu capabilities, saying, "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." Her ability to maintain poise and leverage her ground skills could very well be the X-factor in Saturday's contest.
Implications for the Strawweight Division
With the strawweight champion Zhang Weili expected to face the unbeaten Tatiana Suarez (10-0) next, a win for either Lemos or Jandiroba could significantly bolster their case for a title shot. Both fighters have showcased their talent and growth, and a victory on Saturday could solidify their standing as top contenders in the division.
Lemos, reflecting on her growth, noted, "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."
As the anticipation builds for Saturday's bout, the stakes are clear. Both Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba have their sights set on climbing to the pinnacle of the strawweight division. Their clash at UFC Fight Night promises to be a showcase of skill, determination, and the unyielding spirit that defines elite-level mixed martial arts.