A Rising Star in the Making
Iasmin Lucindo, a 23-year-old strawweight prospect from the bustling streets of Brazil, has been making significant waves in the UFC with her impressive four-fight winning streak. Known for her dynamic and aggressive style, Lucindo has already faced and defeated seasoned veterans like Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Marina Rodriguez in 2024, solidifying her position as a rising star in the division. Her journey in MMA began in her teenage years, fueled by a passion for the sport and a relentless drive to succeed. Since joining the UFC in 2022, Lucindo has shown remarkable promise, winning four out of five fights and capturing the attention of many within the MMA community. Her rapid ascent has not gone unnoticed, and she is now poised to face a formidable opponent in Amanda Lemos at UFC 313.
The Experienced Challenger
Amanda Lemos, a 37-year-old veteran and former title challenger, is no stranger to high-stakes fights in the octagon. Lemos has 12 appearances under her belt, several of which were against top-ranked strawweights, making her a seasoned and respected fighter. She believes that her wealth of experience will be the key factor in overcoming Lucindo’s youthful enthusiasm and recent success. Lemos has a storied past, having scored stoppages in five of her eight UFC wins, including notable victories over Marina Rodriguez, Michelle Waterson-Gomez, and Montserrat Ruiz. Despite a setback against UFC queen Zhang Weili in 2023, Lemos has remained resilient, bouncing back with a decision win over Mackenzie Dern and a submission loss to Virna Jandiroba in July 2024. Her determination and ability to learn from losses have made her a dangerous opponent, and she is confident that her experience will give her an edge over the young talent.
The Mindset of a Champion
Lemos is under no illusion about the threat Lucindo poses, but she remains unfazed. “Iasmin is coming up strong, she’s young, and she’s on a winning streak, but unfortunately, I’ll definitely stop that sequence,” Lemos told MMA Fighting. She acknowledges Lucindo’s potential but firmly believes that this upcoming fight will be a defining moment in her career. “Iasmin has a great career ahead of her, she’s only getting started, but, like I said, unfortunately, she has to fight me and I’ll definitely impose my game.” Lemos views herself as the toughest opponent Lucindo will ever face, a sentiment rooted in her own extensive experience and the lessons she has learned from her previous battles. She promises to come into the fight fully prepared and with a renewed focus on aggression and finishing the fight, whether by knockout or submission.
A New Chapter in Lemos’s Career
For Lemos, the fight against Lucindo represents a new chapter in her career. She admits that she has made adjustments to her fighting style since her loss to Zhang Weili, particularly in her approach to aggression. “I wasn’t being as aggressive as I was, so that’s definitely something we’ve fixed,” Lemos said. “I’m going forward to finish the fight and don’t leave it to the judges. That Amanda is coming back with everything.” Lemos is determined to recapture the spirit that defined her earlier career, where she was known for her relentless pursuit of finishes. She has spent countless hours in the gym, refining her skills and addressing the mistakes that led to her recent losses. Lemos is eager to prove that she has what it takes to return to the top of the strawweight division and that her experience, combined with her renewed aggression, will be too much for Lucindo to handle.
Lucindo’s Fighting Style
Iasmin Lucindo’s fighting style is aggressive and versatile, which has contributed to her success thus far. She is a natural brawler who enjoys standing toe-to-toe with her opponents, but she is also adept at taking the fight to the ground if she feels threatened on her feet. Lucindo has won three decisions in the UFC, but her pre-UFC record is littered with finishes, with 10 of her 13 wins coming by way of knockout or submission. This balance between striking and grappling makes her a well-rounded fighter who can adapt to different scenarios within the octagon. “Iasmin is a brawler, she likes to stand and fight, but also take it to the ground,” Lemos noted. “She takes it to the ground if she feels threatened on the feet, so we have all our weapons sharp to impose my game and come out victorious.” Lemos’s team has been diligently studying Lucindo’s style to ensure they have a comprehensive game plan for the fight.
The Battle of Brazil
The fight between Lucindo and Lemos is a battle of Brazil that promises to be an exciting and intense matchup. Both fighters bring unique strengths to the octagon, and their clash is expected to be a highlight of UFC 313. Lemos is confident that her experience and aggressive style will prevail, while Lucindo is determined to continue her winning streak and make a statement in the strawweight division. The main card portion of the pay-per-view event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will be the stage for this showdown, and fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling encounter. Whether it’s a war on the feet or a grueling ground battle, one thing is certain: the winner of this fight will have to endure a relentless and highly skilled opponent to claim victory.
