This week, as Amanda Lemos approaches a significant milestone—ten years in mixed martial arts—she reflects on her transformative journey from a soccer field to the heights of the UFC's strawweight division.
Her mixed martial arts career began serendipitously when a teammate encouraged her to try boxing and MMA, leading her to her first competitive fight on July 17, 2014, where she secured a first-round victory.
Now 37, Lemos looks back at her introduction to the sport, her progress, and her aspirations. Her transition to MMA was marked by an early loss to Leslie Smith at bantamweight, a bout that came seven years to the day before this interview. Despite this initial setback, Lemos successfully transitioned to the strawweight class, where she has compiled an impressive record of 8-2 in the UFC.
Her career is not just a series of fights but a source of inspiration for her seven-year-old daughter, who actively engages with her training and diet regimen. Lemos appreciates this dynamic, recognizing the influence her career has on providing a better life for her daughter—one that she herself did not have.
As she prepares for her upcoming main event clash against fellow Brazilian Virna Jandiroba in Las Vegas, Lemos is not just commemorating a decade in the sport but also focusing on the critical nature of this bout. A victory here could redefine her position in the talent-rich strawweight division and propel her toward another title shot.
Jandiroba presents a tough challenge; she comes into the fight on the best run of her UFC career, having accumulated three consecutive wins. Known for her aggressive grappling, Jandiroba's skill set is something Lemos is keenly aware of as she strategizes for Saturday's fight.
For Lemos, this isn't just another fight; it's a celebration of ten years of growth, challenges, and achievements in MMA. With her sights set firmly on victory, she hopes to not only triumph in the upcoming bout but also to pave the way for another opportunity at the UFC strawweight championship.