This Saturday, two Brazilian fighters will step into the octagon in Las Vegas, headlining UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex. Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba are set to face off in a highly anticipated bout that could inch them closer to a shot at the coveted UFC women's strawweight title.
Amanda Lemos: The Knockout Artist
Amanda Lemos comes into this fight with an impressive record of 14-3-1, and she’s known for being a potent threat in the strawweight division, especially when it comes to knockdowns. Lemos leads the division in this category, a testament to her striking power and skill.
"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 reflected on her journey. Despite suffering a decision loss to Zhang Weili, she bounced back with a decision victory over Mackenzie Dern, showcasing her resilience and adaptability inside the cage.
With this fight against Jandiroba, Lemos has the opportunity to further solidify her status as a top contender in the strawweight division. Her ability to bounce back and improve has been notable, making her a fighter to watch in this upcoming showdown.
Virna Jandiroba: Submission Specialist with a Renaissance
Virna Jandiroba holds an impressive 20-3 record and is riding a three-fight winning streak. Known for her grappling prowess, Jandiroba has finished 11 of her 14 regional fights via submission. However, her UFC tenure has shown some challenges in consistently applying her submission game.
"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," Jandiroba said, emphasizing the mental transformation that has been pivotal in her recent successes.
Jandiroba's striking defense stands at 57%, and she has been refining her striking accuracy, which is around 38% in the UFC. Notably, she has notable victories over Marina Rodriguez and Angela Hill, further establishing her credentials in the division. "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," she added.
The Stakes
Both fighters are eyeing the UFC women's strawweight crown, with the current champion Zhang Weili expected to face Tatiana Suarez next. Suarez remains unbeaten with a 10-0 record, adding further intrigue to this dynamic division.
A win for either Lemos or Jandiroba could bring them closer to that coveted title shot, positioning them as the next logical contender. Both athletes have shown remarkable growth, with Lemos improving her performance post-Weili and Jandiroba undergoing a significant mental transformation that has bolstered her confidence inside the octagon.
As the fight night approaches, the anticipation builds not just among fans but within the fighters themselves, who see this as a crucial stepping stone in their careers.
"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 noted, underscoring her relentless drive for self-improvement.
Conclusion
This fight promises to be a thrilling encounter between two highly skilled and motivated athletes, each with their own unique strengths and aspirations. For Amanda Lemos, it's about leveraging her knockout power, while Virna Jandiroba will look to showcase her submission game and newfound mental fortitude.
As they step into the octagon, all eyes will be on them, knowing that the outcome could reshape the landscape of the UFC women's strawweight division.