Marina Rodriguez vs Virna Jandiroba 5/6/2023 Expert Picks, Previews and Analysis
A strawweight showdown between two of Brazil’s best is set for UFC 288 on May 6. Marina Rodriguez and Virna Jandiroba will clash in the octagon, with both fighters ranked in the top 11 at 115 pounds by MMA Fighting Global Rankings. Rodriguez (16-2-2) wants to bounce back from a third-round knockout loss to Amanda Lemos in November, which ended a four-fight run of victories over Amanda Ribas, Michelle Waterson-Gomez, Mackenzie Dern, and Yan Xiaonan.
Marina Rodriguez has a record of 16-2-2 and is a dangerous striker. She is 36 years old, 5’6″ tall and weighs 115 lbs. She fights out of the orthodox stance and has a 65″ reach. Virna Jandiroba is an 18-3-0 fighter and a skilled grappler. She is 34 years old, 5’3″ tall and weighs 115 lbs. She also fights out of the orthodox stance and has a 64″ reach. When it comes to striking, Rodriguez lands 4.80 significant strikes per minute at a 47% accuracy rate, while Jandiroba lands 2.45 significant strikes per minute at a 38% accuracy rate. Rodriguez absorbs 3.05 significant strikes per minute and defends 57% of them, while Jandiroba absorbs 3.19 significant strikes per minute and defends 57% of them.
When it comes to grappling, Marina Rodriguez is not a strong wrestler as she only gets 0.19 takedowns per 15 minutes. Rodriguez has a 33% takedown accuracy and a 65% takedown defense. Jandiroba is a better grappler as she gets 38% of her takedown attempts and stops 73% of her opponent’s attempts. In terms of submissions, Rodriguez is not very active as she tries 0.2 submissions per 15 minutes, while Jandiroba is more aggressive as she tries 1.1 submissions per 15 minutes.
Marina Rodriguez suffered a third-round knockout loss to Amanda Lemos in her last fight. Lemos was more accurate and powerful with her strikes, landing 43 of 67 total and 29 of 53 significant. She also landed 16 significant strikes to the head, including the one that finished the fight. Rodriguez was less effective with her striking, landing 44 of 78 total and 19 of 52 significant. She only landed six significant strikes to the head, and most of her strikes were at distance. Lemos landed 86% of her significant strikes at distance, while Rodriguez landed 94% of hers at distance.
Marina Rodriguez vs Virna Jandiroba 5/6/2023 Expert Picks, Previews and Analysis
Virna Jandiroba won a unanimous decision over Angela Hill in her last fight. Hill was more active with her striking, but Jandiroba was more effective. Jandiroba landed 23% of her significant strikes, with 14 of 60 landing. She also landed 13 significant strikes to the head. Hill landed 21 of 55 significant strikes, with 14 of them to the head. Both fighters landed most of their significant strikes at distance, with Hill landing 90% and Jandiroba landing 92%. In terms of total strikes, Jandiroba threw and landed more, with 92 of 151 landing, while Hill landed 44 of 86.
Jandiroba (18-3) scored a win over Angela Hill in her last fight in May 2022. The former Invicta FC champ has a 4-3 record in the UFC. She also signed a new four-fight contract with the promotion before agreeing to face Rodriguez.
Event: Marina Rodriguez vs Virna Jandiroba
UFC 288
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Prudential Center in Newark, NJ
Date: Saturday, May 6, 2023
TV: ESPN/ESPN+
UFC odds: Marina Rodriguez at -135
Virna Jandiroba is at +110
The UFC prediction: Virna Jandiroba to Win Outright
