Former LFA strawweight champion Jaqueline Amorim is not in a hurry to add another belt to her collection in the UFC; however, that doesn’t mean she’s shying away from bigger challenges.
Amorim is set to face ex-DEEP titleholder Mizuki Inoue at UFC 321, which goes down Saturday in Abu Dhabi, and likes the slow build the UFC is giving her. Since losing her octagon debut to Sam Hughes in April 2023, Amorim snatched four finishes in a row by beating Montserrat Conejo, Cory McKenna, Vanessa Demopoulos and Polyana Viana.
Battling Inoue in Abu Dhabi feels like the perfect step before challenging ranked foes, Amorim told MMA Fighting, because “I’m still new to the UFC.”
“I joined the organization with just six fights and this is a really good matchup before facing someone ranked because my opponent is very experienced,” she continued. “If I win this fight, I think the next one will definitely be against someone in the rankings. But I want to get there feeling prepared. I don’t want to reach the rankings and not be ready, you know?”
UFC 321 features a rematch between Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern for the vacant 115-pound title. Amorim, a jiu-jitsu veteran just like the two co-headliners, feels happy to see her fellow grapplers clash for UFC glory.
“I was really happy when they announced that title fight,” Amorim said. “Two girls who are both amazing grapplers. I like both of them a lot. I’ve always admired them. I watched them fighting in the UFC before I had even started MMA. For us grapplers, it’s great to see two women like that. I believe they’ll put on a great fight.”
“Mackenzie has shown huge improvement, both in her striking and in how she’s adapted her jiu-jitsu for MMA,” she continued. “But I think this might be a different kind of fight. Based on Virna’s recent wins, I believe she’ll have the advantage. I think Virna has evolved more for MMA. I’d put my money on Virna if I had to bet, but I like both of them so I’ll be happy with whoever wins.”
Competing in Abu Dhabi is nothing new to Amorim, who travelled to the United Arab Emirates to make a name for herself in the grappling world by winning the UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro title in 2014 as a purple belt. Back to the U.A.E. 11 years later, she’s “super excited” to perform in MMA.
“It’s a very special place for me,” Amorim said. “The first time I came here was in 2011. It was my first international trip, I didn’t speak English, and I was a blue belt. Coming back now to fight in the UFC, the biggest event in the world, is really rewarding. Back then, when I was a blue belt, it was all just a dream. Now that it’s all happening, I’m really happy, and I hope to perform my best on Saturday for everyone.”
Mizuki has never been submitted in MMA and has grappled her way to winning most of her MMA fights. Amorim knows the Japanese fighter is “much more experienced fighter than I am,” but still plans on making her tap out Saturday.
“She’s never been submitted, so maybe this will be the first time — because I’m going in there to get the finish,” Amorim said. “My goal every time I step into the octagon is to show my jiu-jitsu. It actually motivates me even more to go in there and get the submission. … She’s been out for two years, so I don’t know how she’ll come back, but based on her last fight, I think her style matches up well with mine. Maybe she’ll bring something different for this fight, but I’m prepared for anything.”
“Mizuki fought in Invicta, and I think she even fought Virna there for the title,” she added. “She’s faced several girls who are now in the UFC, even former champions. I believe she’s a very good fighter with solid boxing, good footwork, and a jiu-jitsu background too. At this point in my career, she’s a great challenge for me because she’s good both standing and on the ground, which will make it a bit tougher than my recent fights.”
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