This Saturday, Las Vegas will witness a thrilling showdown as two Brazilian fighters, Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba, headline UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex. Both athletes have their eyes set firmly on a potential shot at the UFC women's strawweight crown, making this clash a pivotal moment in their careers.
Paths to the Octagon
Amanda Lemos boasts a record of 14-3-1 and is renowned as the strawweight division's most formidable threat in terms of knockdowns. Despite suffering a decision loss to Zhang Weili, Lemos demonstrated her resilience by bouncing back with a decision victory over Mackenzie Dern. Her ability to rise from setbacks underscores her commitment to improving her performance.
"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 shared, reflecting on her journey and the lessons learned from her encounters.
On the other hand, Virna Jandiroba enters the octagon with a record of 20-3 and carrying the momentum of a three-fight winning streak. Jandiroba has notable victories over Marina Rodriguez and Angela Hill and is a former Invicta champion. Her journey in the UFC began in 2019 on short notice against Carla Esparza, marking the start of a series of battles that have tested her mettle.
A Tale of Contrasting Styles
Jandiroba's strength lies in her submission game, having finished 11 of her 14 regional fights via submission. However, her submission success within the UFC has not been as consistent. Despite this, Jandiroba's determination to refine her craft continues to drive her forward.
"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 emphasized, highlighting the mental transformation that has been crucial to her recent successes.
Lemos, known for leading the division in knockdowns, will bring her striking prowess to the cage. Jandiroba, with a striking defense rate of 57%, will need to leverage her defensive skills to counter Lemos's aggressive style. Yet, Jandiroba's striking accuracy in the UFC hovers around 38%, a factor that could prove decisive in the bout.
Eyes on the Prize
The stakes are high for both fighters. Champion Zhang Weili is expected to face Tatiana Suarez next, who remains unbeaten with a 10-0 record. A victory for either Lemos or Jandiroba could bring them one step closer to a title shot, adding an extra layer of intensity to this face-off.
Lemos's improvement since her loss to Zhang Weili has been evident, and she is focused on not repeating past mistakes. "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 articulated, illustrating her relentless drive to become a better fighter.
Jandiroba, meanwhile, attributes her recent successes to a newfound mental strength and confidence in her abilities. "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 explained, highlighting the mental shift that has propelled her forward.
As the fighters gear up for Saturday's clash, all eyes will be on how these two contrasting styles will unfold in the octagon. For Lemos and Jandiroba, this match is more than just another fight; it's an opportunity to edge closer to the ultimate prize in their division. The UFC Apex in Las Vegas is set for an electrifying night as these Brazilian warriors battle it out, each determined to prove they belong at the pinnacle of the women's strawweight division.