MMA Preview – Virna Jandiroba vs Kanako Murata at UFC Vegas 29
VIRNA JANDIROBA VS KANAKO MURATA FACTS
When is UFC Vegas 29? Sunday 20th June, 2021 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Vegas 29? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Vegas 29? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC events
What channel is UFC Vegas 29 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Vegas 29? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
VIRNA JANDIROBA VS KANAKO MURATA LOWDOWN
Virna Jandiroba (16-2) is now 2-2 in the UFC after they matched her up with two of the best grapplers in the division. The jiu-jitsu ace arrived to the UFC unbeaten in her 14 fights with 11 submissions and filled in for Livia Renato Souza to take on one of the best wrestlers in the division and former strawweight champion Carla Esparza. She lost a unanimous decision, but it was a great fight trading takedowns. She then got back to old ways by submitting Mallory Martin and Felice Herrig but then got handed the best jiu-jitsu practitioner in the division, Mackenzie Dern. The grappling wizards cancelled each other out forcing more of a stand-up battle with Dern walking away with the unanimous decision.
Since getting submitted in her fifth pro fight by Rin Nakai at the Rizin 2016 Grand Prix, Kanako Murata (12-1) has bulldozed through eight more opponents. She was not fighting cans either with submissions over the likes of Lanchana Green (Rizin), Angela Magana (Rizin), Liana Pirosin (Invicta) as well as a split decision over Emily Ducote (Invicta) before making her UFC debut. She took on the veteran Randa Markos back in November and rose up a level seamlessly dominating with her wrestling.
VIRNA JANDIROBA VS KANAKO MURATA PREDICTION
The UFC really do not want to give Jandiroba an easy ride as they match her up with another top tier grappler, this time, a decorated Japanese wrestler. Jandiroba is a decent wrestler herself, and it will be very interesting when the fight hits the ground.
Murata is undersized for the division, but she makes up for it with her power so she will try to win the clinch, get Jandiroba down and keep her on her back while defending the submission attempts. Murata has great jiu-jitsu herself but the Brazilian is a level above so she cannot afford to make any mistakes, even in top position.
We expect a lot of clinch work, sprawls and scrambles which will force portions of this fight on the feet. This is where Murata should have the edge. She has better technique and more power, but Jandiroba will make this a scrap.
We can see this fight turning out similar to Jandiroba’s fight with Esparza and will be a very even battle wherever it goes. Murata can win the striking exchanges and subdue Jandiroba to earn a decision, but she cannot afford to make any mistakes with the Brazilian’s jiu-jitsu. We are backing Jandiroba to to pick up a scrappy decision with a potential late submission, but a Murata decision is the value bet.
Prediction: Jandiroba via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Murata via Decision
