Virna Jandiroba needs to cement her place as the subsequent contender for Zhang Weili’s UFC strawweight title with a win over Amanda Lemos at UFC Vegas 94 this Saturday.
A winner of her previous three UFC bouts, the jiu-jitsu ace feels she might earn the chance with a formidable victory and surpass undefeated Tatiana Suarez within the run for gold following earlier wins over Crazy Godinez, Marina Rodriguez, and Angela Hill.
“I undoubtedly assume [I’m next],” Jandiroba advised MMA Combating. “The 2 top-five fighters that haven’t fought for the title but are myself and Tatiana, and we’re two recent names. I feel {that a} win over Amanda Lemos does take me to a title battle.”
Jandiroba mentioned probably being on the verge of competing for a belt “clearly brings further weight” to a battle, “however I attempt to deal with with it the easiest way attainable.”
“The belt is one thing I’ve all the time mentioned I need so dangerous,” Jandiroba mentioned. “Not the belt itself, however what it represents. It’s the image of a dream. However I’m targeted on this battle first, proper? I’ve to win this battle first after which — we clearly give it some thought as a result of we’re near it, it may very well be the subsequent step, however I attempt to give attention to this battle to additionally take that weight away just a little bit. Saturday is the longer term. Now we have to consider this future first.”
Jandiroba has gained nearly all of her MMA wins by submission, a listing that features UFC stoppages of Felice Herrig and Mallory Martin in addition to a profitable Invicta FC title protection over Janaisa Morandin. On the opposite aspect, Lemos, who misplaced a call when difficult Zhang in 2023, brings an reverse preventing model with a number of knockouts to her credit score.
“We’re each full athletes, clearly, however now we have fairly distinct video games,” Jandiroba mentioned. “She’s extra of a striker and I come from a grappling background, and I’ve fought many strikers earlier than, though I’ve been examined on the bottom as effectively. I’ve the utmost respect for Amanda’s story, she’s a really harmful lady, however I’ve confronted any such matchup many occasions earlier than in my profession.”
Lemos gained a three-round choice over jiu-jitsu legend Mackenzie Dern in her most up-to-date bout. Jandiroba broke the battle down in camp and noticed many openings left by Lemos that Jandiroba believes she would’ve taken benefit of “as a result of my jiu-jitsu is completely different.”
“Now we have comparable types however we’re far completely different in lots of features as effectively,” Jandiroba mentioned of her grappling in comparison with Dern’s. “I’ve studied how Amanda behaved in that battle, even on the bottom, and we might see loads of issues, loads of holes, but additionally issues Amanda does effectively. I’m able to battle 5 rounds if it goes that lengthy, however I feel it will possibly finish early as a result of we each go for the end.”
