Two Brazilian fighters will take center stage in Las Vegas this Saturday, as Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba prepare to clash at the UFC Apex. This bout is not just an opportunity for these athletes to showcase their skills, but it's also a crucial step towards a potential shot at the UFC women's strawweight crown.
Profiles of the Contenders
Amanda Lemos enters the octagon with a 14-3-1 record, known as the top threat in the strawweight division when it comes to knockdowns. She faced a significant setback with a decision loss to Zhang Weili but rebounded strongly with a decision victory over Mackenzie Dern. This shows Lemos's resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity.
Jandiroba’s Aiming for Finishes
On the other hand, Virna Jandiroba boasts an impressive 20-3 record and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak. With notable victories over Marina Rodriguez and Angela Hill, Jandiroba has already proven her mettle in the octagon. A former Invicta champion, she made her UFC debut in 2019 on short notice against Carla Esparza, showcasing her readiness to face top competition at any moment. Despite finishing 11 of her 14 regional fights via submission, her submission success in the UFC has not been as consistent.
“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,” Jandiroba stated. “I needed more self-confidence, belief in my growth and my jiu-jitsu.”
The Mental Game
The mental aspect of the game seems to be a significant focus for both fighters. Jandiroba has emphasized mental transformation as a critical 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,” she remarked.
Prepared and Evolved
Lemos, with her profound striking capabilities, leads the division in knockdowns. Reflecting on her past experiences, Lemos said, “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.”
The drive to continuously improve is evident in her approach. “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 added.
Fight Analysis
This clash could indeed bring either Lemos or Jandiroba closer to a title shot, considering that champion Zhang Weili is expected to face unbeaten Tatiana Suarez next. Suarez holds a flawless 10-0 record, making her a formidable contender in her own right.
Jandiroba’s striking defense rate of 57% and striking accuracy around 38% in the UFC shows she has foundational skills that can neutralize her opponents’ attacks. However, facing a knockout artist like Lemos will be a true test of her defensive and offensive capabilities.
Lemos, who has visibly improved since her loss to Zhang Weili, holds a significant advantage in striking. With a higher rate of knockdowns, she will look to capitalize on her power and precision to potentially finish the fight before it reaches the judges' scorecards.
Path to Victory
For Lemos, keeping the fight standing will be crucial, leveraging her striking to maintain distance and avoid grappling exchanges where Jandiroba excels. Conversely, Jandiroba will likely aim to take the fight to the ground, exploiting any openings to secure a submission victory, drawing on her extensive jiu-jitsu background.
As fight night approaches, both competitors have showcased the mental fortitude and physical preparedness required at this elite level. Their journeys, marked by significant wins and lessons learned in losses, have set the stage for a highly anticipated showdown. It’s a bout that promises to deliver high drama and excellent technique, with both fighters on the cusp of greater glory in the UFC's strawweight division.