Virna Jandiroba showcased her elite grappling skills to decisively defeat Yan Xiaonan, earning the top contender spot in the UFC strawweight division. She is now highly confident that her next bout will be for the championship title.
The former Invicta FC titleholder extended her impressive winning streak to five fights following her performance at UFC 314 on April 12th. This streak features a submission win over Amanda Lemos and decision victories against Angela Hill, Marina Rodriguez, and Lupita Godinez. The accomplished Brazilian fighter believes an immediate challenge against the reigning 115-pound champion, Zhang Weili, is the only logical next step.
“Honestly, if not now, there’s nothing more I can do,” Jandiroba stated in an interview. “I absolutely believe I am next. With a five-fight winning streak, which is the longest currently in the strawweight division, there are no other contenders as deserving. I have accepted every fight the UFC offered and remained patient, even when the fight with Tatiana Suarez didn’t happen and she got a title shot. Now, it is unquestionably my turn. There is no alternative path.”
Prior to her recent win against Tatiana Suarez, Zhang Weili mentioned a potential move up to flyweight to challenge the dominant champion Valentina Shevchenko. However, given that Shevchenko is scheduled to fight Manon Fiorot on May 10th, Jandiroba feels secure in her claim for the next strawweight title shot.
“This is the situation, and honestly, I feel quite at ease,” Jandiroba commented. “It is undeniable that I am the next challenger. There are no further steps required. I even took an additional fight instead of just waiting. I defeated Yan Xiaonan, who was the previous No. 1 contender, and now I hold that position. If I was confident before, in this current situation, I can simply wait – and continue training while I do,” she added with a laugh.
Since reclaiming her title, Zhang Weili has defended it only once annually. Jandiroba stated that she is prepared to wait however long is necessary for her opportunity to fight for the championship belt.
“I prefer longer training camps to continue improving, and I intend to use the waiting period to my advantage,” Jandiroba explained. “The decision now rests with the UFC.”
The Chinese champion boasts an impressive record in UFC title fights (6-1 with two finishes) and has never been submitted in her MMA career. Conversely, Jandiroba has secured 14 of her 22 professional wins through her formidable jiu-jitsu skills and is prepared for a grueling five-round battle if required.
“Zhang is a very powerful athlete,” Jandiroba commented on her potential opponent. “I must make specific adjustments to face her over five rounds. My strategies need to be adapted for a championship-length fight. I have previously competed in five-round fights during my time in Invicta, and I specifically trained for that duration in anticipation of the Amanda Lemos fight. Therefore, I have been preparing for a moment like this for a considerable time.”
