Virna Jandiroba submits Amanda Lemos at UFC Vegas 94, calls for title shot

Virna Jandiroba’s time is now.

Saturday’s UFC Vegas 94 main event saw Jandiroba step up in the biggest fight of her career as she headlined a UFC show for the first time. The 11-year veteran didn’t disappoint, showing off her elite grappling en route to a second-round armbar submission of Amanda Lemos.

Following her tap-out victory, the former Invicta FC strawweight champion made it clear what she wants for her next fight.

“Dana, I’m the next one,” Jandiroba said via a Portuguese translator. “I’m the one that needs to get that title shot. ... Dana, I’m your next champion.”

Currently, Zhang Weili rules over the UFC’s 115-pound division in her second reign with the title. According to Jandiroba, they were actually in talks to fight before, so the time is right to revisit the matchup, this time with gold on the line.

“I was supposed to fight Weili a long time ago, but destiny crosses different paths,” Jandiroba said. “It’s time. Let’s go.”

Jandiroba (21-3) has been in championship form as of late, having won her past four fights. She put on arguably the best performance of her UFC career to date on Saturday to defeat Lemos (14-4-1), a one-time strawweight title challenger.

Saturday’s headliner was billed as a classic grappler vs. striker matchup and Jandiroba represented the grappling side with pride, shooting for a takedown early and limiting Lemos’ ability to show off her highly vaunted punching power. Lemos attempted to counter a takedown with a guillotine choke, but Jandiroba was well-prepared and she calmly worked her way out of it.

Soon, it was Lemos’ turn to show off her submission defense as Jandiroba attacked with a leg lock. Lemos escaped, but Jandiroba took the first round with her grappling control.

Jandiroba was respectful of Lemos’ striking in Round 2, patiently waiting for her moment to shoot in again. When she did, it resulted in a lengthy scramble with Jandiroba eventually taking Lemos’ back. The python-like Jandiroba gave Lemos little room to breathe and when the opening for the armbar came, she took it and earned the tap at the 4:48 mark of the second round.

Lemos has now lost two of her past three fights, including a failed bid to defeat Zhang in a title fight at UFC 292.