Two of Brazil's finest mixed martial artists are set to light up Las Vegas this Saturday as Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba headline UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex. This bout is crucial for both fighters, with the victor possibly inching closer to a title shot in the UFC women's strawweight division.
Amanda Lemos comes into this bout with an impressive record of 14-3-1. Known as the strawweight division's most formidable threat in terms of knockdowns, Lemos has bounced back strongly after her decision loss to champion Zhang Weili. She showcased her resilience and determination with a decision victory over Mackenzie Dern. Her confidence and skill have only grown since then, as she declared, "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."
On the other side of the Octagon, Virna Jandiroba brings an impressive 20-3 record and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak. A former Invicta champion, Jandiroba has made a name for herself with notable victories over Marina Rodriguez and Angela Hill. Her UFC journey, which began in 2019 with a short-notice debut against Carla Esparza, has seen its ups and downs, especially regarding her submission game. Despite finishing 11 out of 14 regional fights via submission, she has found it harder to replicate that success in the UFC.
Jandiroba attributes her recent successes to 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 explained. This newfound confidence has her eyeing more submissions in the future, as she added, "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."
Lemos' striking prowess will be up against Jandiroba's grappling expertise. Lemos leads the division in knockdowns, making her a dangerous opponent on the feet. However, Jandiroba's striking defense rate of 57%, combined with a striking accuracy of around 38% in the UFC, presents an intriguing matchup. Both fighters have clearly defined strengths that could tip the balance in their favor.
The stakes are high, not just for personal glory but for a potential shot at the title. As it stands, champion Zhang Weili is expected to face Tatiana Suarez next. Suarez, unbeaten with a 10-0 record, represents the next hurdle in the champion's path. However, a win for either Lemos or Jandiroba could elevate them into the title conversation, especially given Lemos' impressive rebound efforts and Jandiroba's mental fortitude.
Both fighters are acutely aware of the importance of this bout. Lemos, reflecting on her growth, said, "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."
Saturday night's fight promises to be a compelling clash of styles. Will Lemos' knockout power prevail, or will Jandiroba's submission skills shine through? As the MMA world watches closely, these two Brazilian warriors are ready to leave everything in the Octagon, each hoping to take a significant step toward UFC gold.