Tatiana Suarez challenges UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili at UFC 312 after a really profitable 7-0 run within the promotion, however that call left Virna Jandiroba with blended emotions.
Whereas the Brazilian already anticipated to see Suarez compete for UFC gold, she will be able to’t assist however really feel pissed off that it comes two months after the date they have been purported to battle. Suarez was pressured out of a Dec. 7 bout with Jandiroba on account of well being points, and the promotion subsequently introduced in the course of the UFC 310 broadcast that Suarez would face Zhang two months later in Sydney.
Jandiroba volunteered to function the backup fighter for the UFC 312 co-main occasion, however the UFC opted to have no reserve fighter for that bout nor Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland. Jandiroba now returns to the cage on April 12, dealing with Yan Xiaonan in a possible No. 1 contender conflict at UFC 314.
“It’s so complicated. It’s loopy,” Jandiroba instructed MMA Preventing. “Tatiana was ranked forward of me so I imagined it could be her [next for the title]. I used to be stunned after they booked our battle, nevertheless it was additionally honest. Then I used to be knowledgeable she had well being points and left the battle, after which she’s combating for the belt.”
Requested if she believes the UFC merely modified plans and pulled Suarez from UFC 310 to present her a direct shot on the gold as a substitute, the Brazilian mentioned it’s potential “as a result of it was all very obscure.”
“I used to be pissed off, clearly, but additionally imagined she would get the shot since Zhang Weili had no battle booked,” Jandiroba mentioned. “I wasn’t stunned after they introduced it, however was a bit pissed off. However it’s what it’s.”
Jandiroba loves the concept of dealing with Suarez in the future due to the conflict of kinds would favor her, however is aware of that having Zhang emerge victorious Saturday in Sydney may imply she’s subsequent for the belt with a win over Yan. If Suarez wins, a direct rematch would imply an extended wait on the sidelines, Jandiroba mentioned.
“I believe Zhang is the favourite,” she mentioned. “She’s the champion and she or he’s constant, well-rounded, and extra skilled than Tatiana, however I believe she has to remain alert always as a result of Tatiana is harmful. She has high-level grappling. She has good arm triangles and guillotines, and also you the one strategy to escape that’s by tapping out. Zhang Weili is the favourite, however she has to remain alert.”
Jandiroba referred to as for a conflict with Yan after seeing the information of Zhang vs. Suarez as a strategy to cement her place because the No. 1 contender at 115 pound, and believes “there’s no different possibility” however her subsequent.
“She’s the No. 2 within the rating and I’m No. 3, and there’s no simple fights right here,” Jandiroba mentioned. “I nonetheless assume it’s a great matchup for me, although. We skilled collectively for a quick time period at Staff Alpha Male. She’s powerful, robust, and has a great group round her. [Urijah] Faber is excellent and has a really sensible group there, however I believe it’s a great matchup for me.”
Profitable the UFC belt in the future would make Jandiroba the third ladies to ever maintain titles in Invicta FC and UFC, becoming a member of the choose group with Cris Cyborg and Carla Esparza, and make her really feel full as an athlete.
“It’s a dream come true, that’s for positive,” Jandiroba mentioned. “It will be the head of my profession, little doubt. Preventing for a belt is already an enormous accomplishment contemplating my life and what I needed to undergo to get right here. And turning into [UFC] champion after turning into Invicta champion, my whole profession, that will be fantastic. I might retire at peace [laughs]. I might defend [the belt], in fact, however could be proud of my profession already.”
