Undefeated MMA fighter Tatiana Suarez believes she deserves a title shot following her submission win over Jessica Andrade, expressing a desire to face the winner of the upcoming match between Alex Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko.
For most observers of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), the switch from Virna Jandiroba to Jessica Andrade, for Tatiana Suarez, was a significant step up. However, for Suarez herself, it was merely an opportunity to display skills that have been latent. Her decision to take up the challenge saw her realizing significant reward in the form of a submission victory. According to Suarez, this success, which adds up to an unbeaten run in her first 10 MMA fights, has earned her a chance at the strawweight title.
Suarez expressed excitement at defeating Andrade, whom she described as an adversary that many feared, during the recent co-headliner event at UFC Nashville. She explained that Andrade was a formidable opponent and stepping into the fight, she had abandoned her usual approach of always seeking immediate takedowns. Instead, she decided to go toe-to-toe with Andrade, an approach that paid off.
The fight soon saw Suarez taking the upper hand, as she grappled Andrade later in the first round itself. From thereon, she dominated the fight and surprised Andrade with a guillotine choke which is her specialty, until Andrade tapped out at the 1:31 mark of the middle frame. This victory over Andrade has certainly increased Suarez’s standing and she wishes to make the most of it by getting a shot at the belt.
The next month will see champion Alex Grasso rematching long-reigning former champion Valentina Shevchenko, and Suarez has expressed her desire to fight the victor. Up until last year, there were doubts surrounding Suarez’s return to form due to serious back and knee injuries. She had taken a four-year-long break from the cage and even upon her comeback, she faced difficulties due to lingering issues. However, she managed to overcome these obstacles and is now ready to take on any opponent that UFC suggests.