Virna Jandiroba has faced many battles inside the Octagon, but none compare to what lies ahead. On October 25, the Brazilian will face the biggest challenge of her career: fighting for the vacant strawweight title against Mackenzie Dern at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi. It's not only a rematch of a bout from five years ago, but also the culmination of a journey defined by patience, resilience, and growth.
The fight’s announcement was not entirely a surprise for Virna. The division’s shift after Zhang Weili moved up to flyweight already hinted that an opportunity was coming. Still, when the news became official, she felt that a long cycle of preparation and waiting was about to come full circle.