Following her impressive UFC Vegas 94 main event victory over Amanda Lemos, Virna Jandiroba called out the undisputed strawweight champion.
After the surging Brazilian contender scored a slick second-round submission win in the main event of UFC Vegas 94 last night, Virna ‘Carcara’ Jandiroba certainly made good use of her airtime with a callout locked and loaded; one that put ‘Magnum’ firmly in her crosshairs.
Virna Jandiroba makes short work of Amanda Lemos at UFC Vegas 94
Whilst the eyes of the combat sports world might have been fixed on Florida for the Jake Paul vs Mike Perry boxing match, 36-year-old Brazilian contender Virna Jandiroba was putting on a showcase in the main event of UFC Vegas 94.
After winning the first round on all three judges’ scorecards, Jandiroba would end up in a scramble with Amanda Lemos and as the pair vied for the position, ‘Carcara’ was able to quickly lock in an armbar – securing her 14th win via submission and a sweet $50K ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus.
Heading into the main event spot, Jandiroba was ranked #5 in the strawweight division and given her post-fight demands, it’s safe to say that the submission specialist is far from content with waiting for a number one contender fight next.
Virna Jandiroba calls for a shot at UFC strawweight title
Speaking to Daniel Cormier after the submission win, Jandiroba first thanked her opponent for giving her the opportunity to headline a Fight Night card, before calling for a shot at UFC strawweight queen Zhang Weili.
“First and foremost, thank you so much to Amanda, we have the same origins and roots, she’s a tough fighter like me so it was a pleasure to share the octagon with her.
“And Dana, I’m the next one. I’m the one who needs to get that title shot.”
Jandiroba continued, “Dana, I’m your next champion – the champion is here,” before breaking out into song and giving the Apex crowd a quick dance, adding “I was supposed to fight Weili back a long time ago but destiny you know, crosses different paths – it’s time, let’s go!”
At the post-fight press conference, ‘Carcara’ doubled down on her callout of Weili, explaining how whilst she otherwise would have been in title contention, getting the finish over such an experienced contender should be enough to secure that next shot at Weili.
“It has been great work between me and my team and you never know the plans with the UFC, but I believe that this win, not just beating but submitting a former title contender like Amanda who is extremely tough, I think should get me a title shot next.
“I believe that a title fight should be next, we don’t know how the division will work out but four wins against some of the greatest fighters in the division and especially with a submission over a title contender, I believe that should be enough.”
So, why does Jandiroba think she has a chance against Zhang Weili? Because of her ‘weirdness’.
“The thing is, I’m not a very orthodox fighter [and] with time I’m learning that I fight weird… My style is a little different, the way that I grapple is a little strange and I know my wrestling is very effective, my jiu-jitsu is very good, but within the weirdness of everything I do, I create problems.
“That’s how I can beat her, with the weirdness, that’s how I get my hand raised.”
‘Carcara’ added via the UFC News crew that whilst she has the utmost respect for the Chinese superstar, she believes that she would offer a fresh challenge to the strawweight champion.
“For Weili, I have the most respect for her, I really admire her journey and style but I think it’s time, I want to test her and I think I have some tools that she hasn’t faced before. We can put on a great show together.
Jandiroba fires back at Loik Radzhabov over women’s MMA comments
Ironically, Zhang Weili wasn’t the only fighter in Jandiroba’s crosshairs as she also fired back at fellow UFC Vegas 94 fighter Loik Radzhabov over his comments about using women’s MMA fights as bathroom or snack breaks.
“I’m not going to be someone who is able to help him,” Jandiroba noted at the post-fight press conference.
“But maybe he needs to go and get some analysis, maybe find a therapist that is going to help him overcome those issues that he has.”
Radzhabov himself would end up losing his fight against Trey Ogden via unanimous decision earlier in the night.
“There’s probably something there that he needs to sort out, and he’s going to have a specialist to do it.”