Virna Jandiroba is fully prepared for what she anticipates will be a high-level, highly technical grappling chess match when she steps into the Octagon against Tatiana Suarez. The upcoming clash between two of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s most formidable strawweight contenders is scheduled to take place at UFC Vegas 124 on November 7. For Jandiroba, this high-stakes encounter represents a crucial step forward as she looks to build momentum, string together another impressive winning streak, and force her way back into the thick of the 115-pound title conversation. With championship aspirations firmly in her sights, the Brazilian submission specialist has a specific end goal in mind: securing a third meeting with the reigning divisional queen, Mackenzie Dern.
Virna Jandiroba Calls Tatiana Suarez Grappling Matchup a ‘Clash of Titans’ Ahead of UFC Vegas 124
Entering the bout with an established professional record of 23 wins and 4 losses, Jandiroba revealed that her preparation for this assignment has been exceptionally rigorous. In fact, the dedication required to face an elite wrestler of Suarez’s caliber prompted the Brazilian contender to complete two full, back-to-back training camps.
Tatiana Suarez, holding a pristine 12-1 record, presents a compelling and unique stylistic test for Jandiroba’s world-renowned jiu-jitsu. Suarez is widely recognized for her suffocating wrestling pressure, explosive takedowns, and dominant top control, traits that have stifled numerous opponents throughout her mixed martial arts career. On the other side, Jandiroba is celebrated as one of the most dangerous submission threats in the entire Ultimate Fighting Championship strawweight division, possessing an aggressive and sophisticated guard alongside a relentless grappling pedigree.
The juxtaposition of Suarez’s elite-level wrestling against Jandiroba’s elite-level jiu-jitsu creates a classic martial arts rivalry style matchup that has fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipating the opening bell. Jandiroba firmly believes that these contrasting grappling backgrounds will coalesce into a memorable, unforgettable contest inside the Octagon.
In preparation for the intricate tactical puzzles that Suarez is expected to present, Jandiroba sought out specialized knowledge from some of the best minds in the sport. During her extended preparation, she collaborated closely with legendary grappling pioneer and former Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger Demian Maia, whose illustrious career serves as a masterclass in applying traditional jiu-jitsu at the highest levels of mixed martial arts.
Refining her strategy with veterans who understand the nuances of neutralizing elite wrestlers proved invaluable for the Brazilian contender. "I was part of the previous training camp with Demian [Maia], who faced some great wrestlers throughout his career, and he gave me some valuable insights," Jandiroba shared in an interview with Sherdog. Drawing from those lessons and her own deep well of experience, Jandiroba summarized the magnitude of the upcoming pairing by stating, "I usually say it will be a clash of titans."
While Jandiroba’s immediate focus is entirely locked onto the formidable challenge standing across the cage from her on November 7, her long-term professional trajectory is mapped out with championship gold at the center. The strawweight contender is no stranger to the upper echelon of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but she is eager to avenge past setbacks and solidify her legacy in the organization.
Jandiroba’s path to the belt recently crossed paths with current champion Mackenzie Dern. The two athletes squared off in October 2025 in a high-profile bout for the vacant strawweight championship, a contest that ultimately saw Dern capture the title via a unanimous decision after a hard-fought battle. That championship meeting added another chapter to their professional history, as Dern also secured a victory over Jandiroba in their first encounter back in December 2020.
Despite those two losses to the current titleholder, Jandiroba refuses to let the past deter her ambitions. Instead, she is using those experiences as fuel to drive her current campaign, viewing a victory over Suarez as the ultimate springboard to earn another shot at the 115-pound throne. Her timeline for a potential trilogy bout and championship opportunity is targeted aggressively for the first quarter of 2027.
Looking at the broader landscape of the Ultimate Fighting Championship strawweight division, Jandiroba has formulated a strategic outlook on how the championship picture is likely to unfold over the coming months. She is monitoring the activity of other top contenders and the champion herself to identify the most logical and efficient path back to a title shot.
In Jandiroba’s assessment, the current divisional dynamics open a clear window of opportunity for her early next year. She points to the uncertain timeline of former champion Zhang Weili, noting that she does not anticipate the strawweight star making an immediate return to active competition inside the Octagon. Because of this expected absence from the top tier of contenders, the path forward appears streamlined through the reigning champion.
Mackenzie Dern has already publicly expressed her intention to make the first defense of her newly won strawweight championship in a timeframe spanning from January to February. For Jandiroba, this scheduled window aligns perfectly with her career ambitions and her desire to remain active and efficient. Rather than taking an extended layoff following the physical demands of her upcoming battle at UFC Vegas 124, the Brazilian contender is already looking past the final bell of her fight against Suarez and projecting an immediate turnaround.
"Honestly, I don’t see Weili returning to the Octagon anytime soon," Jandiroba explained regarding the current state of the division. "Since Mackenzie has already said she intends to defend the belt between January and February, that would be an excellent timeframe for me."
Emphasizing her dedication to staying busy and seizing the championship opportunity the moment it materializes, Jandiroba made it clear that physical recovery will not be an obstacle to achieving her goals. Demonstrating the mindset of a true veteran competitor who lives in the gym, she confirmed that she will waste no time getting back to business once her hand hopefully gets raised on November 7. "In fact, I only need one week of rest after this fight," Jandiroba added, "and I’ll be ready for the rematch in January or February."
