LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 15: Tatiana Suarez participates in a Q&A session prior to the Noche UFC ceremonial weigh-in at Toshiba Plaza outside T-Mobile Arena on September 15, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Tatiana Suarez returns, faces Virna Jandiroba at UFC 310
No. 1 ranked UFC strawweight contender Tatiana Suarez (10-0) is set to return to the octagon this fall in attempt to finally secure a title shot that has long evaded her, as she’s expected to face no. 3 ranked Virna Jandiroba (21-3) at UFC 310.
UFC 310 is to go down on December 7, 2024, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Suarez, though has unfortunately been incredibly inactive throughout her career, is one of the more dominant figures in the entire sport of mixed martial arts.
As a standout freestyle wrestling competitor Suarez is a Pan American Championships gold medalist, World Cup silver medalist, she won each one silver and one bronze medal at the Junior World Championships, and she’s a two-time World Championships bronze medalist.
While training to make an Olympic run in 2012 Suarez suffered a neck injury, derailing her aspirations of competing at the Olympic Games. An MRI and CAT scan showed not only did she have a herniated disc in her neck, but also a cancerous growth in her thyroid.
Eventually, after a successful surgery and rehab Suarez was able to begin training again; she soon after picked up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and then MMA.
After a 2-0 amateur run Suarez turned professional in 2014, making it to 3-0 before being called up to compete on The Ultimate Fighter 23, a show she went 3-0 on with two finishes.
Suarez went on to win her season with a first round D’Arce choke submission over Amanda Cooper.
Unfortunately, her injury bug followed her from here and really never left as she’s struggled to stay healthy and active since. She wouldn’t fight again for another year and a half, returning to face 13-0 Viviane Pereira in November of 2017, dominating the contest and handily winning all three rounds en route to her unanimous decision victory.
Suarez had a great year in 2018, fighting twice and winning both, beginning in May with a first round stoppage victory over future, now former UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso (rear naked choke), following it up in September with a dominant victory over former two-time strawweight champion Carla Esparza (TKO), a stellar wrestler in her own right Suarez took down nine times on 11 attempts leading up to her stoppage in the final minute of round three.
Suarez returned nine months later in June of 2019 to defeat Nina Ansaroff (UD), but wouldn’t fight again for nearly four years, finally returning in February of 2023. She faced Montana De La Rosa up at 125 lbs in her return bout, winning the fight via second round guillotine choke, before dropping back down to 115 lbs when she faced another former strawweight champion in Jessica Andrade, also submitting her with a guillotine choke in round two.
She hasn’t fought since however, that bout having took place in August of 2023. Suarez is currently 33 years of age, turning 34 just 12 days after UFC 310; her lack of activity but utter dominance when she is competing has made her one of the greater what ifs in our beloved sport.
Virna Jandiroba on the other hand came to the UFC as the 14-0 defending Invicta FC strawweight champion, losing her promotional debut to Carla Esparza (UD). She’d go on to win her next two-straight over the likes of Mallory Martin (rear naked choke) and Felice Herrig (armbar) before suffering her second career defeat to Mackenzie Dern (UD).
Jandiroba then defeated Kanako Murata (TKO), before losing to Amanda Ribas (UD).
Since the Ribas defeat however Jandiroba has gone 4-0 with wins over the likes of Angela Hill (UD), Marina Rodriguez (UD), Loopy Godinez (UD), and former title challenger Amanda Lemos (armbar).
Who wins this strawweight title eliminator going down this December at UFC 31o?
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