When former Invicta FC strawweight champion Virna Jandiroba enters the octagon at UFC 256, she’ll be looking at one of the most dominant forces in women’s jiu-jitsu history: Mackenzie Dern.
Jandiroba (16-1) and Dern (9-1) promises to be a grappling classic. But the pair certainly have contrasting styles on the ground.
“I think I have a very conservative grappling style. I’m very conservative on the ground as opposed to McKenzie,” Jandiroba told Cageside Press during a UFC 256 media day this week. Dern, conversely, has “a loose game, and she uses a lot of new, more current jiu-jitsu maybe. She uses a lot of berimbolos and all that. I think I have a more stronger old school style of of grappling.”
Dern herself said something similar during the media day this week. And the pair’s contrasting styles have grappling fans exciting for this strawweight match-up.
Jandiroba, who has two straight submission wins inside the octagon, knows what a win over a name like Mackenzie Dern could do for her.
“There’s not any specific names that I’m thinking of, but I think with this win, I’ll get into the top ten,” she stated. “So I would love to face someone from the top 10 or maybe even top five. I’d be game for that.”
Jandiroba noted that she had a “special” training camp for UFC 256, which saw her working on both her technical and mental abilities. And while Mackenzie Dern is a threat, Jandiroba wants to remind fans that she’s no slouch herself.
“She’s dangerous, but I’m also a very dangerous fighter, let me remind you of that,” Jandiroba proclaimed.
Watch the full UFC 256 virtual media day pres scrum with Virna Jandiroba above. The event takes place this Saturday, December 12 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV.
