Two of Brazil’s top mixed martial artists are preparing to take center stage in Las Vegas this Saturday, as Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba are set to clash at the UFC Apex in what promises to be a thrilling main event at UFC Fight Night. Both fighters are eyeing a potential shot at the UFC women's strawweight crown, making this a highly anticipated bout for MMA enthusiasts.
Amanda Lemos: The Knockdown Specialist
Amanda Lemos, who boasts a record of 14-3-1, has a reputation as the strawweight division's most formidable knockdown artist. Known for her aggressive striking and knockout power, Lemos has always been a fighter to watch. Despite suffering a decision loss to the reigning champion Zhang Weili, Lemos demonstrated her resilience and skill by rebounding with a decision victory over Mackenzie Dern. This victory has reaffirmed her status as a top contender in the division.
Reflecting on her journey and the lessons learned from her defeat to Zhang Weili, 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."
This commitment to continuous improvement and a rigorous training regimen has made Lemos a more formidable competitor. Her ability to adapt and evolve as a fighter is essential, particularly as she faces another top contender in Jandiroba.
Virna Jandiroba: The Submission Specialist
Virna Jandiroba enters the fight with a commendable record of 20-3 and is currently on a three-fight winning streak. Known for her formidable ground game, Jandiroba has secured notable victories over talented fighters such as Marina Rodriguez and Angela Hill. A former Invicta champion, Jandiroba made her UFC debut in 2019 on short notice against Carla Esparza, a testament to her readiness and fighting spirit.
Jandiroba’s success in submissions is particularly noteworthy, having finished 11 of her 14 regional fights via submission. However, her submission success has not been as consistent since joining the UFC. Jandiroba acknowledges that the mental aspect of the game is crucial to her performance. "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 mental transformation has been a significant factor in her recent successes. "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 added.
The Stakes
Both fighters are acutely aware of the stakes involved in this matchup. With UFC Champion Zhang Weili expected to face Tatiana Suarez next – Suarez being an unbeaten contender with a perfect 10-0 record – a win for either Lemos or Jandiroba could bring them tantalizingly close to a title shot. Lemos, who leads the division in knockdowns, will be looking to utilize her striking prowess, while Jandiroba, with her striking defense rate of 57% and UFC striking accuracy of around 38%, will aim to leverage her ground game and mental fortitude.
As Lemos has continued to improve since her loss to Zhang, and Jandiroba has undergone a significant mental transformation, both fighters bring a renewed sense of purpose to this bout. "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.
MMA fans eagerly await this collision of two highly skilled and mentally prepared athletes, each with a distinct fighting style and a shared dream of ascending to the pinnacle of the strawweight division. The outcome of this battle will likely shape the future landscape of the UFC women's strawweight division, adding another compelling chapter to the storied careers of Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba.