Virna Jandiroba spoiled Felice Herrig’s return to the octagon on Saturday with a big win over the veteran at UFC 252.
After suffering a torn ACL that required surgery in April 2019, Herrig (14-9 MMA, 5-4 UFC) could not overcome the former Invicta FC champion’s grappling. Jandiroba (16-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) picked up the armbar submission victory at the 1:44 mark of Round 1 to improve her stellar record.
The women’s strawweight bout was part of the UFC 252 preliminary card that aired on ESPN prior to the main card on pay-per-view.
Jandiroba instantly shot for a takedown to start the fight, which put Herrig on her back. She passed the guard and applied heavy top pressure on Herrig, who attempted to remain calm. Herrig scrambled, but quickly found herself caught back up in Jandiroba’s grappling web.
Jandiroba mounted Herrig, took the back, then finally transitioned to the armbar that forced the tap in less than two minutes, marking the fourth fastest submission in 115-pound history. It was also the first time Herrig was finished in her career, which dates back to 2009.
“Everybody knows I’m a BJJ girl, so that’s always my Plan A,” Jandiroba said through an interpreter during her post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. “I still have a Plan B to show, so UFC, let me fight.”
Up-to-the-minute UFC 252 results include:
- Virna Jandiroba def. Felice Herrig via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 1:44
- Danny Chavez def. TJ Brown via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Livinha Souza def. Ashley Yoder via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Chris Daukaus def. Parker Porter via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:28
- Kai Kamaka III def. Tony Kelley via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
