UFC’s Virna Jandiroba: ‘The strangeness of everything I do’ would create problems for Zhang Weili in title fight

LAS VEGAS – Virna Jandiroba is ready to challenge for the UFC strawweight title.

In just his second fight on the UFC main card, Jandiroba (21-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) headlined UFC on ESPN 60 at the UFC Apex. The Brazilian strawweight took advantage of the opportunity against Amanda Lemos and scored her first stoppage victory in more than three years.

Jandiroba executed a skillful transition from the back to an armbar submission that forced Lemos (14-4-1 MMA, 8-4 UFC) to tap out in the second round, putting his name on the list of finalists for the title fight.

“The fight took place in the best scenario we could imagine,” Jandiroba said through an interpreter at a post-fight press conference. “I was definitely going to try to take it to the ground and I managed to do it and finish.”

The result extended Jandiroba’s winning streak to four, including victories over Angela Hill, Marina Rodriguez and Lupita Godinez. Jandiroba entered the fight ranked fifth in the strawweight promotional rankings, with Lemos two positions ahead.

If they were to change positions when the UFC updates its rankings, that would leave Tatiana Suarez (No. 1) and Yan Xiaonan (No. 2) ahead of Jandiroba. Suarez has been dealing with injuries and Xiaonan lost the title fight at UFC 300. Jandiroba could very well end up being next in line for Zhang Weili’s title.

“You never know the UFC’s plans, but I believe that this victory, the way it was, especially not just winning, but finishing a former title contender like Amanda who is extremely tough, I think it should give me a title shot ,” said Jandiroba.

The unique fighting style that Jandiroba, 36, brings to the Octagon could present a different challenge for Weili. This style was on display in her first UFC main fight, against Lemos, where she stood out in frenetic fights on the mat. Jandiroba believes that embracing this aspect of her game in the title fight could lead to her becoming champion.

“I fight strangely,” said Jandiroba. “My style is a little different. The way I fight is a little strange. I know my wrestling is very effective. My jiu-jitsu is very good. It’s not like you can say, ‘Oh, she’s a real fighter.’ But I make it work.

“In the strangeness of everything I do, I think I create problems for most people and that’s how I can beat it.”

For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to UFC on ESPN 60.

This story originally appeared on MMA Junkie