Finishing the Fight: UFC 256

Virna Jandiroba UFC
Virna Jandiroba, UFC 256 Weigh-In Credit: Gabriel Gonzalez/Cageside Press

Every fighter has their go-to moves, especially specialists within certain martial arts disciplines. Their own signature styles can lead to spectacular finishes. Whether it’s a scary-good rear-naked choke that fighters just can’t seem to avoid once going to the ground or crazy power in a straight left hand that has dropped even granite-chinned fighters with ease, each fighter has a particular finishing move or sequence. Moves that have stuck in fan’s minds and come to define and describe their careers within the cage.

For UFC 256 we will take a look at some fighters with only a few (5 or less) fights in the UFC, rather than those fighters that are long-time UFC veterans with a bunch of finishes with the promotion.

Virna “Carcara” Jandiroba (16-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC)

Total Number of Pro MMA Finishes: 13

Via KO/TKO:  0

Via Submission: 13

Total Number of UFC Finishes: 2

Via KO/TKO: 0

Via Submission: 2

(Mallory Martin, Felice Herrig)

Virna Jandiroba is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist. Virna has eight first-round submission finishes in her career. The majority of Jandiroba’s submission victories are by way of a rear-naked choke, but she also has a very slick armbar submission. Virna combines her striking while on the ground with her jiu-jitsu and it’s a deadly combination that has netted her quite a few finishes.

Virna’s win over Felice Herrig in August was masterful as she flew through her opponent’s defense and secured a tight armbar in under two minutes. Jandiroba even earned a performance of the night bonus at the conclusion of the night for her efforts.

Virna will be taking on another highly respected submission grappler in Mackenzie Dern at UFC 256. Dern also has just a few fights in her UFC career but has already gained a lot more notoriety for her jiu-jitsu than Jandiroba, thanks to accolades like being a multiple-time world BJJ champion. This fight will be the clash of the black belts, with both women having the majority of their pro wins by submission.