Tatiana Suarez is coming for an additional crack at UFC gold.
The one-time title challenger steps again contained in the Octagon at Noche UFC for a high-stakes scrap with fellow top-five ranked strawweight contender Amanda Lemos. It will likely be Suarez’s first time competing since suffering a lopsided, unanimous decision loss towards Zhang Weili at UFC 312 in February.
Regardless of the setback earlier this 12 months, Suarez remains to be sitting because the second-ranked strawweight on this planet, and believes a win over Lemos in San Antonio will doubtlessly put her proper again in line for a shot on the division’s high prize.
“I believe that is gonna catapult me in the precise path to get one other title shot,” Suarez advised MMA Fighting. “I do need to battle Zhang once more. I’m undecided what’s gonna occur if she wins. I’m hoping to battle her once more. I hope that she ultimately comes again down in order that I can win the belt after which battle her once more.”
Tatiana Suarez discovered loads from her Battle In opposition to Zhang Weili
Maybe serving to Suaraez’s case for an additional title shot is the truth that Zhang Weili is not the UFC’s reigning strawweight queen. Final month, Dana White introduced that ‘Magnum’ was vacating her 115-pound crown in a bid to move up and problem flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 322.
Consequently, Mackenzie Dern will meet Virna Jandiroba on October 25, with the winner leaving as the brand new strawweight titleholder.
“I discovered loads,” Suarez mentioned of her battle towards Zhang. “Total, I simply gained expertise on the market. Extra cage time, extra expertise, and I’m going to be a greater fighter due to it. Now I’m centered on Saturday, and I’m wanting ahead to getting the victory. Subsequent time after I battle for the belt I’ll have rather more expertise. After I face adversity, I’ll be effectively ready.”
Whereas incomes one other title shot is the last word objective, Suarez is extra involved with staying lively.
“I don’t thoughts getting one other win after which the title, or even when I’ve to battle two extra, I simply need to keep busy and proceed my journey to turning into a champion,” Suarez added. “I don’t actually care what number of fights it’s.”
Suarez is 10-1 in her blended martial arts profession, her solely loss coming towards Zhang.
As for Lemos, the Brazilian slugger is searching for her personal ticket again to title city after she did not unseat Zhang from the throne two years in the past. Since then, ‘Amandinha’ has gained two of her final three, together with wins over Dern and Iasmin Lucindo.
