UFC Vegas 94: UFC Apex; Las Vegas, Nevada
The way the UFC started was matching one art form against another. And for more than the zillionth time a grappler fought a striker. Between two tough Brazilian strawweights, it was Virna Jandiroba making the most of her opportunity. In her first UFC main event she only needed nine-minutes and 48-seconds to put away Amanda Lemos, thank to her suffocating ground game.
Both were weary of each others gameplans and started out feinting to see who’d be the first with a costly mistake. A first-round takedown by Jandiroba had Lemos lock in a guillotine. With it not being terribly tight, “Carara” popped out and wound up on top. Like a monitor lizard playing with its food, Jandiroba started applying pressure in a crazy scramble. While they grappled both attempted leg submissions that saw nothing come of them.
Out in open space, Lemos was landing. But Jandiroba’s chin showed it wasn’t as weak as thought. With Jandiroba securing another takedown, Lemos was on top. But for the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blackbelt, being on bottom is even more deadly. Jandiroba was slowly putting Lemos where she wanted her. First by locking in a body triangle and a rear-naked choke. Then in an instant transitioning into an armbar, when Lemos had no choice but to tap.
Suffocating On The Ground Yes… But Might Not Get Her What She Wants Next
Jandiroba is in the drivers seat right now. There’s no doubt about that. And she post fight made it official she wants Weili Zhang and the strawweight strap next. Both are ridiculously fundamentally sound fighters. However, Zhang has more firepower in her gloves than Jandiroba has faced.
However, there really is noone else that could get her battle ready for that scrap. But there is still another fun fight that can be made. A true number one contender fight between Jandiroba and Tatiana Suarez. For as good as Jandiroba is on the mat, Suarez isn’t all that far behind. Her wrestling is there, and she has fantastic foot work. Suarez might have a slight advantage on hand speed as well.
Suarez also has a better kicking game which could be a factor. She’s undefeated and Jandiroba has never been finished. So there will be at least one “0” to go. With both being so good on the canvas, it might just force them to up their striking. But when the duo gets close, Jandiroba does throw some timely and well placed knees.
Dana White will soon start to put together the full November Madison Square Garden card. There’s no reason that fight could not open up the main card.
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