UFC: Virna Jandiroba blasts Jair Bolsonaro government for ‘destroying and killing so many families’
- No 13-ranked strawweight explains post-fight comments criticising Brazilian president after career-best display against Japan’s Kanako Murata
- ‘Right now we’re at a point where we have half a million deaths in Brazil due to Covid – and that’s heartbreaking,’ Jandiroba says
Closing out her post-fight chat with Michael Bisping following a first career TKO victory, the Serrinha, Bahia native exclaimed “viva o sus, fora naro” – a phrase that encapsulates a larger fight than the one she had just been through in the Octagon.
“In Brazil, we‘re living a very delicate moment right now,” Jandiroba told SCMP. MMA. “The pandemic has shown the fragilities of government which from the beginning has shown to be racist and homophobic. Right now we’re at a point where we have half a million deaths due to Covid – and that’s heartbreaking.”
“The Sus is a united public health care in Brazil which gives public health care to all Brazilians and which is suffering boycotts from many people of the government,” Jandiroba added. “So I wanted to defend the Sus because it has such an important role right now in Brazil in vaccinating the population. I wanted to give my statement against [Briazilian President Jair] Bolsonaro who has been giving a government which has been destroying and killing so many families.”
Former Invicta FC champion Jandiroba (17-2) displayed big improvement in her striking as she secured her third UFC victory with what she believes was her best career performance.
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“I showed maturity and I think I‘m at a turning point.” she said. “I can realise my evolution, especially when I compare it to my last fight. My striking is a lot more on point, it’s sharper, I’m hitting people stronger. I’m a new athlete and I’m really happy I was able to show that.”
The 33-year-old, who is ranked No 13, hopes to fight again in September and already has a name in mind.
“Well, honestly, her ranked position is what attracted me to fight [Nina Nunes],” Jandiroba said. “It‘s not news. I want to grow in the division and I deserve to grow and get a top 10 opponent.
“People kept asking me for a name and I wouldn’t say anything. People kept saying, ’Come on, Virna. You need to say something’, because people get fights when they say a name.
“So I decided I would say her name, I thought she was a great person to say, as well as Michelle Waterson. That would also be a great fight for me to fight next.”
