Virna Jandiroba is set to face Mackenzie Dern in a pivotal rematch this Saturday at UFC 321, where a vacant strawweight title will be on the line in Abu Dhabi. Known for her relentless pursuit of excellence since starting her professional career over a decade ago, Jandiroba, affectionately called “Carcara,” has a refreshed perspective on what it means to be a champion.
In 2018, Jandiroba captured the Invicta FC championship, defending her title before making the transition to the UFC a year later. Although she faced setbacks in crucial moments early on, the Brazilian grappler has now claimed a five-fight winning streak, positioning herself for this title opportunity amidst changing dynamics in the UFC strawweight division. With Zhang Weili currently focused on a flyweight title challenge against Valentina Shevchenko, Jandiroba and Dern find themselves in a prime position to initiate a new championship era.
Reflecting on her journey, Jandiroba stated, “It took years of work to reach this moment. I’m going there to claim that belt on Saturday, but I haven’t been waiting to have the belt, the symbol itself, to feel like a champion and be proud of my story and my journey.”
Facing a fellow jiu-jitsu practitioner like Dern is particularly meaningful for Jandiroba, especially considering the growing prominence of the martial art in Abu Dhabi. Coinciding with the match, the Gracie family celebrates a century of their jiu-jitsu legacy with a seminar held earlier that day in Rio de Janeiro. “That’s just incredible,” Jandiroba remarked about the anniversary, expressing her belief in the synchronicity of life events. “People value jiu-jitsu a lot here [in Abu Dhabi]. It feels like a crowning moment, and I think jiu-jitsu gains a lot from this.”
Their first encounter ended with Jandiroba losing a three-round decision to Dern in December 2020, a setback that she considers transformative. Since that fight, she has climbed back up the rankings, achieving victories over notable opponents such as Angela Hill, Marina Rodriguez, and Amanda Lemos, alongside others, which has fueled her confidence leading into this title fight.
“The fight against Mackenzie, like many others — especially the ones we lose — brings a lot of learning,” Jandiroba noted, acknowledging that both her defeats and triumphs have played a role in shaping her. “I’m sure that it was the Mackenzie loss, along with my victories, that brought me here. It was about learning and turning certain keys.”
Now, Jandiroba feels more mature and equipped, ready to show fans a different fighter compared to their first fight. “I’ve worked a lot on myself over these years. You can see the changes in my behavior, the technical evolution, which I think are the results of maturity and finding my own way to express myself inside the octagon.”
With her impressive winning streak, which includes fighters who have defeated Dern since their last meeting, Jandiroba exudes confidence as she prepares for the clash ahead. Fans are undoubtedly anticipating a thrilling showdown that not only has championship implications but also represents a significant moment for jiu-jitsu and women’s MMA.