Amanda Lemos admits UFC future depends on next performance
The Brazilian strawweight acknowledges she needs a convincing victory in her next fight and plans to adopt a more aggressive style inside the Octagon.
Amanda Lemos finds herself in a complicated situation in the UFC. Since being defeated by Zhang Weili in a title fight for the strawweight belt in August 2023, the Brazilian has gone 2-3 in the Octagon, raising concerns that she could eventually be released by the promotion. Now, scheduled to face Alexia Thainara at UFC Vegas 120 this Saturday, "Amandinha" understands she will be fighting for her future within the organization.
In order to ensure she can find her good form again, Lemos believes she needs to be more aggressive inside the Octagon.
Amanda Lemos Knows She Needs a Statement Win
It has been nearly a decade since Lemos made her UFC debut. From 2019 to 2021, the Brazilian was in great shape and was able to put on a five-fight winning streak, finishing three of her opponents. That momentum, however, has faded. At 39 years old and coming off two consecutive losses, Lemos knows she finds herself in trouble. Speaking to Ag Fight, the Brazilian veteran admitted she needs to put on a convincing performance in order to guarantee her future in the UFC.
"I need to win convincingly, perform well, and show them that I'm still good enough to be in the game and be kept in the organization."
Amanda Lemos Identifies What Went Wrong
After suffering back-to-back unanimous decision defeats, Lemos believes she has identified the main reason behind her recent struggles. Known for her aggressive striking style and knockout power, the Brazilian feels she became too passive in her last two appearances instead of fighting the way that brought her success. Against Thainara, her goal is to return to that aggressive approach from the opening bell.
"I was too passive, too cautious, so I think that's what led to my last two losses," Lemos said. "It's something we want to change now for this fight: to be aggressive in all areas right from the start."
For Lemos, the adjustment is more than tactical. Following her recent losses, she believes rediscovering the aggressive style that once made her a title challenger is essential if she wants to keep her UFC career on track. The Brazilian veteran now heads into UFC Vegas 120 knowing she has little margin for error.
