Amanda Lemos is prepared for a 25-minute bout against Virna Jandiroba at UFC Vegas 94 but aims to secure an early TKO, confident in her striking abilities and training, while anticipating a potential Fight of the Night bonus if it goes the distance.
Amanda Lemos is gearing up for 25 minutes of frenetic action in the main event of UFC Vegas 94. But, she’d much rather stop Virna Jandiroba early at the UFC APEX on Saturday.
Lemos bounced back from a loss to UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili by defeating Mackenzie Dern in a Fight of the Night bout in February at UFC 298. She sees potential for another bonus-winning clash if she can’t finish her fellow Brazilian early.
“I see myself beating Virna by TKO and I’ll always seek that in my fights,” Lemos told MMA Fighting. “She will try to impose her game and I will try to impose mine, and it’s going to be electrifying, very dynamic.”
“I’m a striker, she’s a grappler,” Lemos continued, “but I’ve evolved a lot and I’m showing that. I trained really hard for her game, for her defenses and attacks. We’ll do everything we can to impose my game and come out victorious.”
“I obviously never enter the octagon looking to fight five rounds and neither does she,” she added. “I want to finish [the fight] as soon as possible, to end it early.”
“But if we have to go five rounds,” Lemos said confidently, “I’m sure we’re getting another Fight of the Night [bonus]. We’re there fighting for another title shot to become world champion.”
Lemos expected either Jandiroba or Tatiana Suarez after winning against Dern in February. She wasn’t sure if Suarez would be injury-free and willing to fight.
Now booked against Jandiroba, Lemos faces a countrywoman for the fifth time since joining the UFC. “I’m fighting a Brazilian one more time and I’m super excited,” said Lemos.
She has won three of those four clashes with two knockouts but lost only to former champion Jessica Andrade. “I’m glad to be in a main event and have another opportunity to show my work.”
“Fighting a Brazilian is more than normal because we’re always at the top,” she explained. “We’re always among the 10 best, so I’m happy for this.”
“And Virna is an excellent athlete,” Lemos concluded, “she’s on a roll after three wins. She’s tough, and we’ll put on a tough and beautiful fight for the fans.”