Amanda Lemos stopped a surging Marina Rodriguez in her tracks in the main-event at UFC Vegas 64. Lemos is now confident of a title shot with her win over Rodriguez.
The Brazilian now plans to go back to her gym in Brazil and wait on that strawweight title shot. Lemos said during the post-fight media scrum following her recent victory:
"I mean surely, yeah. I should be the next one to line up. Go back home, rest for a week, go back in the gym, just wait for that opportunity to be the next one for the title."
Watch Amanda Lemos' comments in the video below (4:10):
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Amanda Lemos and Marina Rodriguez started off slowly, mostly gauging each other throughout the first round. The Brazilian came out as the aggresor in round two, hurting her opponent with a big right hand.
Lemos went on to land a takedown later in the round but was unable to secure a finish despite taking Rodriguez's back. The 35-year-old then went on to hurt Rodriguez with another right hand early in round three and unleased a lethal barrage of punches in the follow-up to score a standing TKO win.
Watch the finish below:
Lemos' victory over Rodriguez tied the Brazilian with Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade for the most finishes (5) in UFC strawweight history. Lemos was a +200 underdog going into her bout against Rodriguez, who was riding a four-fight win streak.
Amanda Lemos weighs in on Carla Esparza vs. Zhang Weili
As Amanda Lemos awaits her title shot, the strawweight strap is about to go up for grabs at UFC 281 on November 12. The Brazilian recently gave her prediction for the upcoming title clash between Carla Esparza and Zhang Weili.
According to Lemos, Weili is a more complete and stronger fighter than Esparza. While she acknowledged Esparza's skillset, Lemos predicted that Weili will get her hands raised on November 12. Asked whether she'll be in attendance for the fight, the 35-year-old said during the post-fight presser:
"I do have to go back to Brazil, unfortunately I won't be able to make it to New York. I have to go back home. But I do believe that Zhang Weili is going to win. She's a more complete, stronger fighter. Even though Carla Esparza is dangerous, I believe that Zhang Weili is gonna win."