Virna Jandiroba Outgrapples Yan Xiaonan in Gritty UFC Clash

On April 12, 2025, Virna “Carcará” Jandiroba solidified her status as a top strawweight contender with a unanimous decision victory over No. 1-ranked Yan Xiaonan at UFC 314 in Miami’s Kaseya Center. The preliminary card bout, a pivotal title eliminator in the women’s 115-pound division, showcased Jandiroba’s relentless grappling against Yan’s technical striking, culminating in scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27. The win extended Jandiroba’s streak to five, positioning her for a potential shot at champion Zhang Weili, while Yan faces an uphill climb to reclaim her contender status. This article dives into the fight’s dynamics, key moments, and what lies ahead for both fighters.

The strawweight division has been a battleground, with Zhang Weili reigning supreme across two title reigns. Yan, 35, entered UFC 314 ranked No. 1, fresh off a dominant decision over Tabatha Ricci in November 2024. Her loss to Weili at UFC 300 in April 2024 fueled her drive to earn a rematch, but Jandiroba, ranked No. 3, stood in her way. The 36-year-old Brazilian, a former Invicta FC champion, boasted a four-fight win streak, including a submission of Amanda Lemos in July 2024. With both fighters eyeing Weili’s belt, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

Analysts pegged Jandiroba as the slight favorite at -148, citing her grappling prowess—averaging 2.29 takedowns per 15 minutes—against Yan’s 63% takedown defense, which had faltered against elite wrestlers like Carla Esparza. Yan, however, was favored to dominate on the feet, landing 4.99 significant strikes per minute at 45% accuracy. The clash of styles—Yan’s crisp boxing versus Jandiroba’s ground control—promised a tactical chess match.

Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: Yan’s Striking Meets Jandiroba’s Persistence

The opening bell saw Yan establish her jab, targeting Jandiroba’s body to slow her forward pressure. A sharp one-two landed clean, forcing Jandiroba to duck under and clinch. Yan’s sprawl neutralized an early takedown attempt, and she punished Jandiroba with a knee to the midsection. Jandiroba, undeterred, secured a takedown at the two-minute mark, taking Yan’s back and hunting for a rear-naked choke. Yan’s defense was stellar, using wrist control to stifle Jandiroba’s attacks, but the Brazilian maintained top position for nearly two minutes.

Back on the feet, Yan landed a calf kick and a three-punch combo, while Jandiroba’s overhand right missed wide. The round ended with Yan stuffing another takedown, earning a slight edge for her striking output—15 significant strikes to Jandiroba’s 6. Fans on social media were split, with some scoring it 10-9 for Yan’s standup, while others gave Jandiroba credit for her late control.

Round 2: Jandiroba’s Grappling Shines

Jandiroba came alive in the second. She absorbed a body kick from Yan but closed the distance, driving her to the cage. After a brief struggle, Jandiroba completed a double-leg takedown, landing in half-guard. Yan scrambled to her knees, only for Jandiroba to transition to full mount, raining short punches. Yan’s defensive grappling kept her from taking serious damage, but Jandiroba’s pressure was suffocating. A slick armbar attempt in the final minute nearly ended the fight, but Yan’s composure saw her through to the bell.

Yan managed only 8 significant strikes, while Jandiroba’s control time—over three minutes—dominated the frame. Commentator Jon Anik called it “a grappling clinic,” and most observers scored it 10-9 for Jandiroba, tying the fight at 19-19. Yan’s corner urged her to keep the fight standing, while Jandiroba’s team pushed for more takedowns.

Round 3: A Gritty Finish

The final round was do-or-die. Yan opened with urgency, landing a head kick that staggered Jandiroba briefly. She followed with a flurry of punches, but Jandiroba weathered the storm and shot for a takedown. Yan grabbed the fence—a point of contention among fans—but couldn’t stop Jandiroba from dragging her down. Jandiroba worked to Yan’s back again, sinking one hook and landing rabbit punches. Yan fought to her feet, only for Jandiroba to chain another takedown, this time securing side control.

With seconds ticking down, Jandiroba locked in another armbar, but Yan survived until the bell. Jandiroba’s 4:12 of control time dwarfed Yan’s 10 significant strikes, sealing the round—and the fight—for the Brazilian. The judges’ scores reflected Jandiroba’s dominance, with one controversially awarding her a 30-27 for controlling every round.

Jandiroba landed 24 significant strikes to Yan’s 33 but controlled the fight for 9:47 across three rounds, completing 4 of 7 takedowns. Yan’s striking accuracy (48%) outpaced Jandiroba’s (38%), but her inability to stay upright—spending nearly 60% of the fight on her back—proved costly. Jandiroba’s 1.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes kept Yan defensive, while Yan’s 0.9 takedowns per 15 minutes offered no counter. The stats painted a clear picture: Jandiroba’s grappling trumped Yan’s standup.

At 36, Jandiroba (22-3, 8-3 UFC) has never looked better. Her win over Yan, paired with prior victories over Lemos, Marina Rodriguez, and Loopy Godinez, makes her the division’s top contender. Post-fight, she called for a title shot against Weili, saying, “I’m ready to bring the belt to Brazil.” Dana White agreed, hinting at Jandiroba headlining UFC 320 in September 2025. Her performance earned a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus, shared with Yan for their back-and-forth battle.

Jandiroba’s journey—from a 14-0 Invicta champ to a 3-3 UFC start—shows her resilience. Critics once called her one-dimensional, but her durability (absorbing only 2.73 strikes per minute) and improved striking make her a nightmare matchup. If Weili moves to flyweight, as rumored, Jandiroba could face Tatiana Suarez for a vacant title, a grappler’s dream fight.

Yan (19-5, 9-4 UFC) showed heart but couldn’t solve Jandiroba’s ground game. Her striking kept her competitive early, but her takedown defense—exposed against Weili—remains a glaring weakness. At 35, Yan’s title hopes aren’t dead, but she’ll need to string together wins to climb back. Post-fight, she was stoic, saying, “I’ll train harder and return.” A matchup with No. 4 Jessica Andrade or No. 5 Amanda Ribas could test her rebound.

Yan’s 7-2 run from 2017-2022, including a knockout of Andrade, proves her elite status, but losses to Esparza, Weili, and now Jandiroba highlight her struggles against grapplers. Improving her wrestling at Team Alpha Male could be key to another title run.

UFC 314 reshaped the 115-pound division. Weili, who retained her belt against Tatiana Suarez in February 2025, looms large, but Jandiroba’s win puts her in pole position. Suarez, recovering from injury, and Ribas, fresh off a win over Mackenzie Dern, lurk as threats. Yan’s loss opens the door for others, like Lemos or Godinez, to surge. The division feels dynamic, with Jandiroba’s grappling adding a new wrinkle to the title picture.

Yan vs. Jandiroba wasn’t a barnburner, but it was a masterclass in contrasting styles. Jandiroba’s relentless takedowns and submission hunting wore down Yan, whose striking flashed brilliance but couldn’t turn the tide. UFC 314’s prelims set the tone for a stacked card, with Jandiroba’s win stealing the show early. As she eyes Weili’s throne, and Yan plots her comeback, the strawweight division promises more fireworks.