UFC strawweight Tatiana Suarez was likely on the cusp of realizing a title shot, but another injury in February halted her momentum again.
The undefeated 33-year-old was scheduled to take on Amanda Lemos at UFC 298 back in February, but a knee injury forced her withdrawal from that number-one contender fight.
Tatiana Suarez last competed in August last year, scoring a second-round submission win over former champion, Jessica Andrade.
Suarez believes fellow strawweights are ‘trying to skip the line’
Current strawweight champion, Zhang Weili, successfully defended her 115lb title for the second time in her current reign, against Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300.
Jessica Andrade and Marina Rodriguez also fought on the milestone event, with Andrade edging in a decision win.
Prior to the fight, Rodriguez claimed that with a win over Andrade, she could secure herself a title shot. That comment didn’t sit well with Tatiana Suarez.
“I heard other fighters (Rodriguez) saying ‘Oh well maybe I’ll have the title shot after this (UFC 300)’ and I’m like, well I don’t think so because I’m number two (in the strawweight rankings), you’ve got to fight me first so they’re trying to skip the line.” Suarez told MiddleEasy.
Suarez is in fact now rank one in the 115lb division after Yan Xiaonan’s loss. With there being no other clear contender for Zhang Weili next, Tatiana Suarez could finally get the call-up.
Tatiana Suarez wants Virna Jandiroba next if no title shot comes
Despite likely being in the best position for the next title shot, Tatiana Suarez has highlighted Virna Jandiroba as a possible next opponent, as she claims she will be champion by this time next year.
“I think I’m going to be champion by (this time next year) and I don’t even care if they have me fight Virna Jandiroba (next), I think that’d be a great fight, to be honest, I wouldn’t mind.
“I’m not one of those people that’s going to say I deserve things, I don’t mind fighting Virna (Jandiroba) for the title spot, she just came off a win.” Suarez added.
The Brazilian, Jandiroba, is riding a three-fight win streak, with her last win coming against Loopita Godinez last month. Suarez and Jandiroba were booked to fight each other in August last year, but Jandiroba withdrew after suffering a knee injury.
“If anything I should fight Virna and the winner should fight (Zhang) Weili. If that’s what they (UFC) want to do if they give me a title shot I’m up for that too but I don’t mind either way.” Suarez finished.