Defeated by Mackenzie Dern, Virna Jandiroba speaks out after defeat at UFC 321: 'I'm champion'

Virna Jandiroba arrives at UFC Abu Dhabi . Photo: Reproduction/@virnajandiroba

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Virna Jandiroba experienced one of the toughest moments of her career last Saturday (25), in Abu Dhabi (UAE). In the co-main event of UFC 321, the Brazilian was defeated by Mackenzie Dern in the fight for the vacant strawweight belt (52,1 kg). After five intense rounds, the judges awarded a unanimous victory to her compatriot, who became the new champion of the category.

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Despite the setback, Jandiroba adopted a tone of pride and resilience when speaking out on social media. In an Instagram post, the fighter stated that she feels like a champion "with or without the belt" and thanked her fans for their support.

"I was not a coward in any way. I fought as I live, with the courage to be who I am, to live my life my way. I remain like this, champion. With or without the belt, Champion! Thank you all for your support and affection," she wrote.

Virna Jandiroba's walk

At 37 years old, Virna reached the title fight after a five-fight winning streak in the UFC and ranked number 1 in the division. Even with the loss, her competitive performance against an athlete of Mackenzie Dern's caliber reinforced her position among the top female fighters in the world.

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