Tatiana Suarez has her eyes on Mackenzie Dern’s title, making her case undeniable after a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Virna Jandiroba. From the Meta APEX in Las Vegas at UFC Fight Night 293, Suarez declared her intentions loud and clear, telling Michael Bisping post-fight, “I want that belt.” She backed up her claim in the co-main event, securing an important win that could propel her straight into a championship fight.
Suarez’s Ground Game Dominates Jandiroba
This top-five matchup went the distance, with Suarez taking the unanimous decision with scorecards reading 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. Suarez wasted no time trying to get the fight to the mat, though Jandiroba’s impressive takedown defense initially stifled her single leg attempts. Still, Suarez dictated the pace for most of the opening round. When Jandiroba shot for a late takedown, Suarez was lightning quick to reverse positions on the mat, showing she’s always one step ahead.
The approach didn’t waver in Round 2. Suarez still couldn’t get Jandiroba down on her own terms, but every time Jandiroba shot in, Suarez found the reversal. Working from top position, Suarez threatened chokes and landed some solid punches. Jandiroba did isolate a leg in the final seconds of the round, fully extending a kneebar, but the horn sounded just in time, saving Suarez from any serious danger. Round 3 saw striking exchanges lead the action, but it was only a matter of time before they hit the mat again. Jandiroba looked for another kneebar that wasn’t there. Suarez secured top position, added more punches to the head and body, and defended another kneebar attempt from Jandiroba. Suarez finished the fight on top in full guard, looking for those final few punches.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Suarez Is Coming For That Title
This win is huge for Suarez’s title aspirations. She currently sits at No. 3 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie women’s strawweight rankings, with Jandiroba right behind her at No. 4. The former champion, Zhang Weili, holds the No. 2 spot, but her timeline for return is currently unclear. This situation leaves the door wide open for Suarez, who has now firmly placed herself at the front of the line to challenge Mackenzie Dern.
“I faced a really good opponent who arguably did win the belt, so I look forward to the challenge,” Suarez confidently stated after the fight, recognizing the caliber of her opponent and the stakes of her next move. With Zhang Weili’s return date up in the air, the question isn’t if Suarez gets a title shot, but when. The entire division is now on high alert, waiting to see if Mackenzie Dern will be the one to answer the call.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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