Two Brazilian warriors are set to bring their might to Las Vegas this Saturday as Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba face off in the main event of UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex. Both fighters have their sights set on inching closer to a shot at the prestigious UFC women's strawweight title.
Amanda Lemos: On the Comeback Trail
Amanda Lemos enters the octagon with a record of 14-3-1, rebounding from a decision loss to Zhang Weili with a hard-fought victory over Mackenzie Dern. Known for her unparalleled prowess in the strawweight division, Lemos leads in knockdowns, a testament to her striking capabilities.
Reflecting on her previous setbacks, 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."
Lemos's commitment to refining her skills has been evident. As she remarked, her main driving force is her evolution as a fighter. "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," she added.
Virna Jandiroba: A Grappling Master
Virna Jandiroba, with a commendable record of 20-3, is currently on a three-fight winning streak. Her journey in the UFC has seen her secure notable victories over Marina Rodriguez and Angela Hill. Recognized as a former Invicta champion, Jandiroba made her UFC debut in 2019, stepping in on short notice to face Carla Esparza.
Jandiroba has an impressive history of finishing 11 out of her 14 regional fights via submission. However, her submission success has been less consistent in the UFC. Despite this, she has not lost faith in her grappling skills. "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," she shared.
She continued, "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."
What's on the Line
As the two fighters prepare for their bout, there's more at stake than just personal pride. Champion Zhang Weili is expected to face Tatiana Suarez next, with Suarez maintaining an unbeaten record of 10-0. A win for either Lemos or Jandiroba could propel them to the forefront of title contention, bringing them one step closer to their ultimate goal.
Lemos has shown significant improvement since her loss to Zhang Weili, while Jandiroba attributes her recent success to a strengthened mental approach. Their contrasting styles promise a thrilling encounter, with Lemos's striking power facing off against Jandiroba's grappling expertise.
With Lemos being the division's top threat in terms of knockdowns and Jandiroba boasting a striking defense rate of 57%, the fight is projected to be a showcase of skill and tenacity. Jandiroba's striking accuracy in the UFC stands at around 38%, while Lemos's focus on avoiding past mistakes signals an intense, strategic clash.
As the excitement builds for Saturday's main event, all eyes will be on these two Brazilian fighters, each determined to prove their worth and stake their claim for a shot at the strawweight crown.