Virna Jandiroba can envision a scenario where she defends the UFC strawweight title against Zhang Weili.
Jandiroba (22-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) is set to face Mackenzie Dern (15-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) for the vacant championship in the co-main event of UFC 321 this weekend, after Weili (26-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) vacated the belt earlier this year to move up to 125 pounds.
“Magnum” had held the title since submitting Carla Esparza three years ago to begin her second reign as strawweight champion.
Ahead of her title opportunity at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi this Saturday, Jandiroba said she believes Weili may eventually return to 115 pounds in pursuit of a third title run — and that she would gladly welcome the former champion back to the division.
"There's a very good chance that no matter what happens, Weili eventually comes down again, where she was so dominant," Jandiroba told MMA Junkie through an interpreter. "I don't think that not fighting her for the belt maybe brings down the value of the belt. I think the belt itself is the most important thing, no matter who is on the other side of the cage.
"As a professional, as a person, I would like to have that challenge to fight someone who has been as dominant as Weili has and really task myself and see. I believe can give her a good fight. I have all the tools to get the win there, but a fight is always a fight, and I don't know what's gonna happen when the door closes, but I think it would be a fantastic challenge for me as a person and as an athlete."
Although Weili successfully defended the strawweight title three times, she only competed once per year during her reign. Should Jandiroba capture the belt on Saturday, she says she intends to be a more active champion than her predecessor.
"Fighting once a year is something I don't think it would be good for me. What I have been doing lately is always two fights a year. With two fights a year, I'm able to do two full camps to prepare properly and really do the work. I think that'll be ideal as a champion, if I can defend it twice a year, I think it's the best scenario."
