Tatiana Suarez strengthens her case for another UFC strawweight title shot with a unanimous decision victory over Virna Jandiroba in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 124.
Two of the women’s strawweight division’s most accomplished grapplers take centre stage in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Cortes-Acosta vs. Walker as Tatiana Suarez faces Virna Jandiroba on November 7 at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas. With the division’s championship picture becoming increasingly competitive, this matchup offers both fighters an opportunity to strengthen their claims for another shot at UFC gold.
Tatiana Suarez comes into the co-main event with two consecutive victories and plenty of motivation to return to the championship conversation. The American’s most recent appearance is a second-round submission victory over Loopy Godinez at UFC 327 in April 2026. Suarez secures a rear-naked choke at 2:29 of the second round, adding another finish to her already impressive record.
Before that, she earns a unanimous decision victory over Amanda Lemos at Noche UFC in September 2025, demonstrating her ability to control a fight over three rounds. Her only professional defeat comes against former strawweight champion Zhang Weili at UFC 312 in February 2025. Suarez challenges for the championship over five rounds but ultimately loses by unanimous decision.
Virna Jandiroba also brings an impressive record and considerable grappling experience into this contest.
The Brazilian is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Tabatha Ricci at UFC Fight Night in April 2026. The win puts her back on track following her unsuccessful championship challenge against Mackenzie Dern at UFC 321 in October 2025.
Jandiroba loses that title fight by unanimous decision after five competitive rounds, but her performance against Dern keeps her among the division’s leading contenders. Before the championship setback, she also earns a unanimous decision victory over Yan Xiaonan at UFC 314 in April 2025. Known as ‘Carcará’, Jandiroba is particularly dangerous on the ground. She boasts 14 submission victories, including seven rear-naked chokes and five armbar finishes.
Suarez immediately looks to establish her wrestling advantage, shooting for an early single-leg takedown. Jandiroba defends well, keeping her balance as Suarez holds onto the leg and attempts to trip her. Suarez continues applying pressure, taking the action towards the fence and working for another takedown. She switches between single-leg and double-leg attempts, but Jandiroba remains difficult to bring down.
Jandiroba answers with knees and elbows in the clinch before breaking free and returning to striking range. She also connects with a low kick as the fighters continue exchanging. With less than a minute remaining, Suarez presses forward again, but Jandiroba changes levels and manages to take her down. Suarez quickly uses a whizzer to reverse the position and create a scramble before the horn sounds.
Jandiroba opens the second round with a kick before connecting with a right hand and an uppercut. Suarez responds with a knee to the body and immediately looks to close the distance. She presses Jandiroba against the cage and continues working for a takedown, but Jandiroba again shows strong resistance, using elbows and movement to escape. Jandiroba continues landing on the feet, including another straight right, while Suarez looks for opportunities to bring the fight to the ground.
The turning point comes when Jandiroba attempts a takedown of her own. Suarez defends the attempt, reverses the position and ends up on top. From half guard, Suarez works to advance her position and threatens with a choke before switching to ground-and-pound. She lands short punches and elbows while maintaining control. Jandiroba then catches Suarez’s leg and attempts a kneebar in the closing seconds. The submission threat becomes dangerous, but the horn sounds before she can secure the finish.
Both fighters exchange strikes early in the final round, with Jandiroba connecting with a right hand and attempting to keep Suarez at distance. Suarez continues looking for the clinch and eventually drives forward to take the Brazilian down. She establishes top position and begins working from half guard.
Jandiroba attempts to create openings from the bottom, including another kneebar attempt, but Suarez recognises the danger and defends the submission.
Jandiroba continues scrambling, but Suarez regains top position and lands short punches and elbows. She maintains control for much of the remaining round, limiting Jandiroba’s opportunities to get back to her feet or establish another submission.Suarez remains on top as the final horn sounds, putting herself in a strong position to secure the decision.
After the fight, Suarez earns an important victory over a highly regarded strawweight contender, extending her winning streak to three fights and strengthening her argument for another opportunity at the division’s championship. Speaking after the fight, Suarez makes her intentions clear: she wants the belt and is ready for the challenge. With Mackenzie Dern holding the strawweight title, Suarez puts her name firmly into the conversation for a potential championship opportunity.
“I feel like it was a good matchup,” Suarez said after the win. “She’s excellent on the ground. I’m glad I can experience this with all of you guys. I just wanted to go out there and show everything. I had fun. I had a lot of fun out there. I want that belt. I look forward to the challenge.”
Check out UFC Vegas 124 results below.
Main Card
Johnny Walker def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via third-round TKO (2:27)
Tatiana Suarez def. Virna Jandiroba via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Elijah Smith def. Davey Grant via first-round KO (1:00)
Lucas Fernando def. Billy Elekana via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Nina Milosevic def. Priscila Cachoeira via second-round TKO (3:40)
Mitch Raposo def. Marcos Degli via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Preliminary Card
Ollie Schmid def. Keiichiro Nakamura via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Thomas Petersen def. Gabriel Lorenco via third-round TKO (4:47)
Karine Silva def. Gabriella Fernandes via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Murtazali Magomedov def. Jose Delano via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Austin Bashi def. Carlos Calderon via submission (RNC) (R1, 1:07)
Andre Petroski def. Mantas Kondratavicius via second-round TKO (4:39)
Seokhyon Ko def. Wellington Turman via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Jose Souza def. Jonny Parsons via first-round KO (4:16)
