MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to interrupt down the largest fights within the UFC. Right now, he takes a better have a look at the UFC on ESPN 60 major occasion between former strawweight title challenger Amanda Lemos and Virna Jandiroba.
Amanda Lemos UFC on ESPN 60 preview
Amanda Lemos UFC 298 ceremonial weigh-ins
Staple data:
Top: 5’4″ Age: 37 Weight: 115 lbs. Attain: 65″
Final struggle: Determination win over Mackenzie Dern (Feb. 17, 2024)
Camp: Marajo Brothers Staff (Brazil)
Stance/putting fashion: Change-stance/muay Thai
Threat administration: Honest
Supplemental data:+ Jungle Combat bantamweight title+ 8 KO victories+ 3 submission wins+ 8 first-round finishes+ KO energy+ Correct hooks and crosses^ Coming ahead or off the counter+ Laborious kicks and knees+ Sturdy contained in the clinch^ Defensively and offensively+ Strong positional grappler^ Aggressive from topside
Virna Jandiroba UFC on ESPN 60 preview
Staple data:
Top: 5’5″ Age: 35 Weight: 115 lbs. Attain: 64″
Final struggle: Determination win over Lupita Godinez (March 30, 2023)
Camp: Combat Home/Staff Velame (Brazil)
Stance/putting fashion: Orthodox/kickboxing
Threat administration: Good
Supplemental data:+ Invicta FC strawweight title+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt+ A number of grappling accolades+ 1 KO victory+ 13 submission wins+ 8 first-round end+ Constant tempo and strain+ Steadily enhancing putting abilities+ Misleading wrestling potential^ Within the open or in opposition to the fence+ Glorious transitional grappler^ Works nicely from prime or backside
Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba focal point: The price of counters
Aug 19, 2023; Boston, MA, USA; Weili Zhang (crimson gloves) fights Amanda Lemos (blue gloves) throughout UFC 292 at TD Backyard. Necessary Credit score: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports activities
The primary occasion in Las Vegas includes a showdown between two top-ranked strawweights who’re conversant in the price of counters.
Although Jandiroba shouldn’t be a devoted counterstriker by any stretch, she’s been pressured to grasp the character of counters in MMA, given the dynamic her fashion presents.
Coming from a background of primarily Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Jandiroba has been steadily enjoying catchup within the putting division since stepping on the massive stage. Regardless of it initially being an apparent means to an finish, Jandiroba has made clear strides in each her putting method and understanding of exchanges.
Working behind a gentle dose of jabs and feints, Jandiroba wields a deceptively onerous proper hand that’s efficient whether or not she is coming ahead or trying to counter. Nonetheless, “Cacara” will have to be cautious when coming ahead in opposition to a superior counter puncher like Lemos.
An athletic fighter who additionally used to compete at 135 kilos, Lemos brings some attention-grabbing issues to the desk. A stance-switching striker, Lemos is snug throwing her patent hooks and crosses from each stances.
The previous Jungle Combat champion does seem to function extra out of orthodox, however has no points shifting to southpaw to both counter with a examine hook or come ahead to complete a mixture. Lemos additionally usually seems to be to land onerous leg kicks, however I think that her entrance kicks and knees will serve her higher given the level-changing threats from Jandiroba.
Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba breakdown: Successful the wrestling
Might 6, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Marina Rodriguez (crimson gloves) fights Virna Jandiroba (blue gloves) throughout UFC 288 at Prudential Heart. Necessary Credit score: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports activities
Contemplating the types conflict at hand, nobody ought to be shocked if Jandiroba seems to be for takedowns early and sometimes.
At all times sticking to a transparent and constant sport plan, there’s no secret about what somebody like Jandiroba needs. An accoladed Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Jandiroba has well made strides in her wrestling since transitioning over to MMA.
Jandiroba has demonstrated serviceable reactive pictures within the open, however arguably does her greatest work when chaining takedown makes an attempt alongside the cage. That mentioned, Jandiroba will nonetheless have to be cautious about getting caught within the clinch with somebody like Lemos.
Lemos has some stable muay Thai sensibilities that make her an offensive menace by way of the knee and elbow visitors she controls off of collar ties (which may create damaging moments anytime Jandiroba permits for the right area). However, I think that Lemos’ protection shall be what’s examined if these two tangle within the wrestling realm.
Lemos appears to have some respectable defensive instincts relating to her whizzer and underhook consciousness, making an attempt to both hoist or flip her opposition when applicable. The ten-year professional may hit artful journeys from clinch area, displaying a robust prime sport each time motion flows to the ground.
Nonetheless, even when Lemos is the one who finally ends up on prime, she may nonetheless be enjoying proper into Jandiroba’s wheelhouse.
Not solely is Jandiroba a official menace from full guard, however the Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion may channel her interior Demian Maia with regards to reversing from the half guard. Jandirob can also be good about isolating considered one of her opponent’s legs in transition – one thing that assists in her management of the positions.
As soon as Jandiroba can safe herself within the prime place, she wastes little time with regards to working towards the again and funneling her opposition towards her most popular choke factors.
Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba odds
The oddsmakers and the general public are barely favoring the previous Invicta champion, itemizing Jandiroba -142 and Lemos +122 by way of FanDuel.
Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba prediction, choose
Might 6, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Marina Rodriguez (crimson gloves) fights Virna Jandiroba (blue gloves) throughout UFC 288 at Prudential Heart. Necessary Credit score: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports activities
Regardless of not disagreeing with whose favored, it’s good to see each women getting some respect, given the unfold of the betting line above.
Jandiroba is probably not the most well-liked fighter amongst informal followers, however she is quietly one of many extra constant threats that this division has to supply. And although Jandiroba’s putting doesn’t go away rather a lot to write down house about on the toes, her wrestling and grappling superiority are greater than sufficient to make some severe hay at strawweight.
Lemos has made clear efforts to shore up her holes relating to these types of stylistic threats, however her propensity to turtle in scrambles is what I see costing her right here.
Apart from the truth that the vast majority of Jandiroba’s finishes come by means of rear-naked choke, the smaller octagon arguably encourages the sorts of exchanges the place “Cacara” thrives (versus Lemos, who likes extra space to function in).
Add in the truth that Lemos will seemingly be shelving a number of her offense within the type of kicks to keep away from potential takedowns, and I can’t assist however facet with the superior grappler in Jandiroba.
Lemos shouldn’t be a simple fighter to complete, however I’ll wager that Jandiroba can prepare dinner her strategy to a submission win in Spherical 3.
Amanda Lemos vs. Virna Jandiroba begin time, the place to observe
As the primary occasion, Lemos and Jandiroba are anticipated to make their walks to the octagon at roughly 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT). The struggle broadcasts dwell on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ESPN 60.
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