This Saturday, Las Vegas will play host to a thrilling main event at UFC Fight Night as two of Brazil's finest fighters, Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba, prepare to clash at the UFC Apex. Both athletes are on the cusp of a significant career milestone, eyeing a potential shot at the UFC women's strawweight crown.
Striking Power vs. Grappling Prowess
Amanda Lemos, who holds a record of 14-3-1, is widely recognized as a knockout threat in the strawweight division. Her powerful strikes have placed her at the top in terms of knockdowns. Despite a past decision loss to current champion Zhang Weili, Lemos demonstrated resilience by rebounding with a decision victory over Mackenzie Dern. Reflecting on her past challenges, Lemos shared, "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."
Virna Jandiroba, with a record of 20-3, is a former Invicta champion and is currently on a three-fight winning streak. Known for her grappling skills, Jandiroba has finished 11 of her 14 regional fights via submission. However, her submission success in the UFC hasn't been as consistent. Jandiroba debuted in the UFC in 2019 on short notice against Carla Esparza and has since notched notable victories over Marina Rodriguez and Angela Hill. She 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."
Path to the Title
Both fighters are acutely aware that a victory on Saturday could bring them one step closer to a title shot. Lemos, who leads the strawweight division in knockdowns, has been on a path of steady improvement since her loss to Zhang Weili. "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," Lemos remarked.
Jandiroba boasts a striking defense rate of 57% and a striking accuracy around 38% in the UFC. Her focus has increasingly been on mental fortitude and self-belief, as she strives to utilize her elite jiu-jitsu skills against top-tier opponents. Jandiroba elaborated, "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."
As the bout approaches, the anticipation among fans and analysts alike is palpable. Both fighters hold unique strengths: Lemos with her knockout power, and Jandiroba with her grappling expertise. A win for either could be a significant leap towards contending for Zhang Weili's strawweight title, especially with Weili expected to face Tatiana Suarez next, who boasts an unbeaten record of 10-0.
Saturday's main event promises not only an exciting clash of styles but potentially a reshaping of the future contenders in the UFC women's strawweight division. Whether it’s Lemos’ striking prowess or Jandiroba’s robust grappling, the fight will undoubtedly be one to remember, marking a critical point in both fighters' careers.