Tatiana Suarez Offers Theory As to Why Virna Jandiroba Matchup Fell Through
Tatiana Suarez isn’t taking much responsibility for her canceled fight against Virna Jandiroba.
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Suarez has now opened up on the bout cancellation, partly hinting that it was the UFC’s choice. According to Suarez, the UFC was hesitant about the matchup at the last moment, as it would rob the division of a potential contender. As Suarez challenges for the 115-pound title, she believes Jandiroba vs. Xiaonan Yan at UFC 314 could decide the next contender.
“I just think the UFC wanted this fight instead,” Suarez told Shakiel Mahjouri. “I think at that point they probably thought to themselves, ‘Why are we gonna remove another contender?’ Because when I fight her, after that they can have another contender. I think the fight is gonna Xiaonan Yan vs. Virna Jandiroba. That potentially could be my [first] title defense when I win the title. Unless [Weili] wants a rematch.”
Suarez returned to competition after a nearly four-year hiatus in 2023. She has since submitted Montana De La Rosa and Jessica Andrade, making it seven finishes in ten undefeated outings. Suarez now challenges Weili Zhang for the strawweight title in the co-main event at UFC 312 on Saturday at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. Suarez trusts her submission game enough to hope for a tap from “Magnum.”
“I feel like I’m gonna submit her… I don’t have any rounds in mind but I know I’m gonna submit her,” Suarez said. “I have an array of submissions that most people don’t have. I can do a lot and lot of chokes. As you’ve seen, I’ve had rear naked chokes, I’ve had guillotines, I’ve had D’Arces. I’ve had an array of chokes. You don’t see that especially in women’s MMA… I’m not just a wrestler, I’m a great grappler.”
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