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Tatiana Suarez made her case for a shot at Mackenzie Dern's title.
In the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 293 at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Suarez (13-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) picked up an important win over Virna Jandiroba. The top 5 matchup went the distance, with Suarez taking a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
Suarez didn't waste much time before looking to get the fight to the mat. Her single leg attempts weren't successful due to impressive takedown defense from Jandiroba (23-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC), but she was able to dictate where the fight took place for most of the opening round. Jandiroba shot in for a late takedown, but Suarez was quick to reverse positions on the mat.
The approach didn't change in Round 2. Suarez still couldn't get Jandiroba to the mat on her terms, but when Jandiroba shot in, the reversal was there again. Suarez worked from top position, initally threatening chokes and adding a few punches. Jandiroba isolated a leg in the closing seconds and fully extended a kneebar, but the horn sounded.
Striking exchanges led the action in the third round, but it was only a matter of time before they hit the mat. Jandiroba looked for another kneebar, but it wasn't there. Suarez secured top position and added a few punches to the head and body. Jandiroba tried for the kneebar again, but it was once again defended well. Suarez finished the fight on top in full guard, looking for a few final punches.
"I want that belt," Suarez told Michael Bisping during her post-fight interview. "I faced a really good opponent who arguably did win the belt, so I look forward to the challenge.
In the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie women's strawweight rankings, Suarez is No. 3 and Jandiroba is No. 4. Former champion Zhang Weili holds the No. 2 spot, but seemingly does not have a timeline for return. So, who will be next to challenge the champion Dern (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC)? It could very well be Suarez getting her second shot after coming up short against Weili when she held the belt at UFC 312.
Tatiana Suarez def. Virna Jandiroba via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
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