May 6, 2023’s UFC 288 is starting to take shape.
Strawweight action is the latest addition to the card, as Marina Rodriguez (16-2-2) and Virna Jandiroba (18-3) are targeted to face off at the event.
MMA Melotto was first to report news of the match-up, with Jandiroba subsequently confirming the booking on social media.
The all-Brazilian scrap sees Rodriguez looking to return to the win column, after having a four-fight win streak snapped recently. She came up short against Amanda Lemos in November, falling via TKO in the third round at UFC Vegas 64, where the pairing served as the main event.
Prior to that, Rodriguez had notched wins over Amanda Ribas, Michelle Waterson, Mackenzie Dern, and Yan Xiaonan. With the UFC since 2018, Rodriguez has earned one Fight of the Night and one Performance of the Night bonus thus far.
Jandiroba, a former Invicta FC strawweight champion, has been trading wins and losses of late, and will enter the fight off a unanimous decision win opposite Angela Hill. Thus far “Carcará” is 4-3 inside the octagon.
UFC 288, expected to take place on May 6, 2023, does not yet have a venue or location officially announced. The following match-ups have been reported for the card to date:
- Aljamain Sterling (c) vs. Henry Cejudo — for the UFC bantamweight championship
- Khaos Williams vs. Rolando Bedoya
- Johnny Muñoz Jr. vs. Daniel Santos
- Charles Oliveira vs. Beneil Dariush
- Bryce Mitchell vs. Jonathan Pearce
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Virna Jandiroba
