Virna Jandiroba Bio
Virna Carole Andrade Jandiroba, born on May 30, 1988, in Serrinha, Bahia, Brazil, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist competing in the women’s Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A former Invicta Fighting Championships (Invicta) Strawweight champion, she is widely recognized for her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expertise and submission skills. Fighting out of Feira de Santana, Bahia, Jandiroba is trained by Team Velame Academia Fight House and carries the ring name “Carcará.” As of October 28, 2025, she holds the number three ranking in the UFC women’s strawweight division.
Early Life and Background
Virna Jandiroba was born and raised in Serrinha, a municipality in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Growing up in the Brazilian Northeast, she was introduced to martial arts at a young age, beginning her training in kung fu as a child. This early exposure to striking and discipline laid the foundation for her future in combat sports. Over time, her interests shifted toward grappling-oriented disciplines, and she transitioned to Judo before eventually focusing on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Jandiroba’s dedication to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu led her to earn a black belt in the art, becoming one of the few women from her region to reach the highest rank. Her growing passion for martial arts and her success in grappling competitions inspired her to pursue a career in mixed martial arts, where she could combine her striking foundation with elite-level submission skills. She currently resides in Feira de Santana, Bahia, where she continues to train and develop her craft.
Path to MMA
After earning her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Jandiroba transitioned to mixed martial arts, launching her professional career in 2013. Competing primarily in Brazil during her early years, she quickly established herself as a dominant force, building an unblemished record of 11 wins and no losses. Her grappling-heavy style, combined with her growing striking abilities, made her a standout prospect in the regional MMA scene.
Her perfect pre-Invicta record earned her the attention of international promotions, and she was eventually signed by Invicta Fighting Championships. This move marked a turning point in her career, providing her with a platform to compete against top-tier strawweight talent and showcase her skills on a global stage. By the time she joined Invicta, Jandiroba had already established herself as a submission specialist with a clear path toward championship contention.
Virna Jandiroba Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Virna Jandiroba began her professional MMA career in 2013, fighting primarily in her home country of Brazil. During this period, she built a remarkable unbeaten streak, compiling an 11-0 record through a combination of submissions and decisions. Her early performances demonstrated her exceptional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills, with the majority of her victories coming by way of submission.
Competing in regional promotions, Jandiroba developed her well-rounded skill set, adding striking techniques to complement her grappling base. Her consistent performances and finishing ability drew the attention of larger organizations, ultimately leading to her signing with Invicta Fighting Championships in late 2017.
Invicta Fighting Championships (2017–2018)
Jandiroba made her Invicta debut on December 8, 2017, at Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedwiedz, where she faced Amy Montenegro. She won the fight via first-round armbar submission, immediately establishing herself as a top contender in the promotion’s strawweight division.
On March 24, 2018, at Invicta FC 28, Jandiroba faced Mizuki Inoue for the Invicta Strawweight Championship after original opponent Janaisa Morandin withdrew. She won the bout via split decision to capture the title. Later, on September 1, 2018, at Invicta FC 31, she made her first title defense against Morandin, submitting her in the second round to retain the championship.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (2019–Present)
Jandiroba made her UFC debut on April 27, 2019, at UFC Fight Night: Jacaré vs. Hermansson, replacing an injured Lívia Renata Souza against former champion Carla Esparza. She lost the bout by unanimous decision, marking her first professional defeat. However, Jandiroba has credited that fight as a catalyst for her subsequent growth inside the octagon.
She rebounded with a second-round submission victory over Mallory Martin in December 2019, followed by a first-round armbar win over Felice Herrig at UFC 252 in August 2020, which earned her the Performance of the Night award. After a decision loss to Mackenzie Dern at UFC 256, Jandiroba defeated Kanako Murata in June 2021 after Murata suffered a doctor-stoppage due to an armbar-induced elbow dislocation.
Following a decision loss to Amanda Ribas at UFC 267, Jandiroba strung together a series of wins, defeating Angela Hill in May 2022 and Marina Rodriguez at UFC 288 in May 2023. After a knee injury forced her out of a scheduled bout with Tatiana Suarez in 2023, she returned to defeat Loopy Godinez in March 2024 and Amanda Lemos via second-round armbar at UFC on ESPN 60 in July 2024, earning another Performance of the Night award. In 2025, she defeated Yan Xiaonan by unanimous decision at UFC 314 before facing Mackenzie Dern in a rematch for the vacant UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship at UFC 321 on October 25, 2025, where she lost by unanimous decision.
Driving Style and Strengths
Virna Jandiroba is widely regarded as one of the top submission grapplers in the women’s strawweight division. Her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt pedigree is evident in her fighting style, with the majority of her victories coming by way of submission, particularly through armbars. She combines her elite grappling skills with steadily improving striking, making her a well-rounded and dangerous opponent in all areas of the fight.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jandiroba’s career highlights include capturing the Invicta FC Strawweight Championship and earning two UFC Performance of the Night awards. Her submission victories over top contenders such as Felice Herrig and Amanda Lemos have cemented her reputation as a finisher. Reaching the number three ranking in the UFC women’s strawweight division and competing for the vacant UFC title in 2025 represent significant milestones in her career.
Virna Jandiroba Career Wins
Virna Jandiroba has compiled a professional mixed martial arts record of 22 wins and 4 losses, with her victories distributed across decisions, submissions, and knockouts. Her grappling-based approach has produced an impressive tally of submission finishes throughout her career, establishing her as one of the most dangerous submission artists in the strawweight division.
UFC Highlights
Within the UFC, Jandiroba has secured multiple victories against ranked and notable opponents. Her first-round armbar submission of Felice Herrig at UFC 252 and her second-round armbar finish of Amanda Lemos at UFC on ESPN 60 earned her Performance of the Night honors. Additional UFC wins include unanimous decision victories over Mallory Martin, Angela Hill, Marina Rodriguez, Loopy Godinez, and Yan Xiaonan.
Other Wins and Performances
Prior to joining the UFC, Jandiroba built an undefeated 11-0 record fighting in Brazil. Her Invicta FC tenure included submission and decision victories over Amy Montenegro, Mizuki Inoue, and Janaisa Morandin, the latter two coming in championship bouts.
| Series | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Invicta (Regional) | 11 | 0 |
| Invicta FC | 3 | 0 |
| UFC | 8 | 4 |
Virna Jandiroba Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details about Virna Jandiroba’s family background are not widely documented in publicly available sources. She was born and raised in Serrinha, Bahia, where her early exposure to martial arts shaped her career path.
Personal Life
Jandiroba currently resides in Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brazil, where she trains with Team Velame Academia Fight House. Details regarding her marital status, spouse, and children are not publicly confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Virna Jandiroba’s 2025 campaign began with a unanimous decision victory over Yan Xiaonan at UFC 314 on April 12, 2025, reinforcing her position among the top strawweight contenders. The win over the previously ranked Xiaonan solidified her standing and set the stage for a championship opportunity later in the year.
On October 25, 2025, at UFC 321, Jandiroba faced Mackenzie Dern in a rematch for the vacant UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship. Despite a strong effort, she lost the bout by unanimous decision. As of October 28, 2025, she remains ranked number three in the UFC women’s strawweight division and number ten in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Following the title fight, Jandiroba is expected to remain a central figure in the strawweight title picture, given her elite grappling credentials and consistent performances against top-tier opposition. Her continued association with Team Velame Academia Fight House and her established ranking position her as a leading candidate for future championship contention.