Iasmin Lucindo, a promising 23-year-old strawweight from Brazil, is gaining momentum with a four-win streak in the UFC. Amanda Lemos, a former title challenger, acknowledges Lucindo’s bright future but intends to be a major obstacle at UFC 313.
These two Brazilian fighters are scheduled to face off on the main card of Saturday’s pay-per-view event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Lemos believes her greater experience will be decisive against the younger Lucindo.
“Iasmin is a strong, young fighter on an impressive winning streak, but I am determined to end that,” Lemos stated in an interview with MMA Fighting. “She has a promising career ahead and is just beginning, but unfortunately, she has to face me, and I plan to dominate with my style.”
Lucindo has demonstrated her skills by defeating experienced opponents like Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Marina Rodriguez in 2024, bringing her record to 17-5. Having competed since her teenage years in Brazil, Lucindo has achieved four wins out of five fights since joining the UFC in 2022. However, Lemos, with 12 appearances in the octagon, including fights against top strawweights, feels her experience will be too significant for Lucindo to overcome.
“I believe I will be the most challenging opponent Iasmin has ever faced. This is definitely the toughest fight of her career, and I expect experience to play a crucial role. I am extremely well-prepared and eager for this fight. I want to give everything I have and return to my previous aggressive style, always seeking a finish.”
Lemos has secured finishes in five of her eight UFC victories, including wins against Rodriguez, Michelle Waterson-Gomez, and Montserrat Ruiz. However, she admits to having become somewhat less aggressive after her decision loss to UFC champion Zhang Weili in 2023. She bounced back with a decision win against Mackenzie Dern six months later, but then suffered a submission loss to Virna Jandiroba in July 2024.
“I had become less aggressive than before, and we have definitely addressed that,” Lemos explained. “I am going into this fight aiming for a finish and not relying on the judges. That more aggressive Amanda is back, ready to give it her all. I want to impose my game and finish the fight, whether by knockout or submission – I’m prepared for anything. I have many tools to use against her.”
“Losses are never positive, but they are a great learning opportunity,” she added. “That was certainly the case for me. I learned a lot from that experience. I returned to the gym, we corrected many mistakes, and I am coming back as a completely improved fighter.”
The 37-year-old veteran promises an exciting fight as long as it lasts, especially considering Lucindo’s aggressive fighting style. While Lucindo has won three UFC fights by decision, she has finished 10 of her 13 pre-UFC bouts.
“Iasmin is a fighter who likes to stand and trade strikes, but she will also take the fight to the ground,” Lemos noted. “If she feels threatened on her feet, she will go for a takedown. We have sharpened all our skills to impose my game and secure a victory.”
