Two Brazilian fighters will be under the bright lights of Las Vegas this Saturday, headlining UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex. Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba are the combatants, both eyeing a path to the UFC women's strawweight title.
High Stakes for Lemos and Jandiroba
Amanda Lemos, with a record of 14-3-1, has built a reputation as a fearsome striker in the strawweight division. Known for her knockdown power, Lemos has established herself as a top contender, despite a notable setback—a decision loss to Zhang Weili. Undeterred, Lemos bounced back impressively with a decision victory over Mackenzie Dern, showcasing her resilience and continuous improvement. Reflecting on her journey, Lemos remarked, "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."
In contrast, Virna Jandiroba stands firm with a 20-3 record and rides a three-fight winning streak. Her career includes significant victories over Marina Rodriguez and Angela Hill, underpinning her credentials. A former Invicta champion, Jandiroba's UFC journey began in 2019 on short notice against Carla Esparza. She has shown a specialty for submissions, having finished 11 of her 14 regional fights by this method. However, her submission success rate has been less consistent in the UFC. Despite this, Jandiroba has found recent success through 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," she said. This shift in mindset has been crucial to her recent performances.
Striking Versus Submission
The clash between Lemos and Jandiroba is, in many ways, a battle of contrasting styles. Lemos, renowned for her striking, leads the strawweight division in knockdowns. Her aggressive stand-up game and ability to deliver explosive finishes make her a threat to any opponent. "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," Lemos explained, underscoring her desire for continuous improvement.
On the other hand, Jandiroba has a striking defense rate of 57% and a striking accuracy hovering around 38% in the UFC—a testament to her balanced approach inside the octagon. She combines competent striking with a solid grappling base, making her a versatile and unpredictable fighter. "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," Jandiroba commented.
Title Aspirations
Both fighters are acutely aware of what is at stake. A victory for either could propel them significantly closer to a title shot. The current champion, Zhang Weili, is expected to face Tatiana Suarez next. Suarez, unbeaten with a 10-0 record, poses a significant challenge. For Lemos and Jandiroba, a win this weekend could position them as the next viable contender for the strawweight crown.
Lemos's improvement since her loss to Weili and Jandiroba's mental transformation are testaments to their dedication and evolution as fighters. Their mutual hunger for victory sets the stage for a compelling encounter. As the MMA world watches, the bout between Lemos and Jandiroba promises not only an exciting display of skill and strategy but also a pivotal moment in the careers of two of Brazil’s premier strawweight fighters.