Report: Jandiroba to meet Murata at June UFC event

Virna Jandiroba is now expected to face Kanako Murata | Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Strawweights Virna Jandiroba and Kanako Murata are reportedly expected to fight on June 19. Former Invicta FC strawweight champion V…


Virna Jandiroba at UFC 256.
Virna Jandiroba is now expected to face Kanako Murata | Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Strawweights Virna Jandiroba and Kanako Murata are reportedly expected to fight on June 19.

Former Invicta FC strawweight champion Virna Jandiroba is reportedly ready for her first challenge of 2021. Per Combate, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt is now expected to take on Japan’s own Kanako Murata, at an event scheduled to take place on June 19, in a location yet to be determined by the UFC.

In her last outing, Virna Jandiroba (16-2) dropped a unanimous decision to fellow Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Mackenzie Dern, in December 2020. The defeat snapped a two-fight winning streak for the 32-year-old, with submission victories over Felice Herrig and Mallory Martin.

Japanese prospect Kanako Murata (12-1) will look for her second straight Octagon win, after beating Randa Markos via unanimous decision in her debut, back in November 2020. The victory put the 27-year-old on an eight-fight winning streak, where she scored wins at promotions such as Rizin Fighting Federation and Invicta.

Murata’s last and sole loss happened in December 2016, when she got submitted via rear-naked choke by former UFC fighter Rin Nakai.

Now, Virna Jandiroba is expected to take on Kanako Murata at UFC Fight Night 194, on June 19, in a location yet to determined. So far, the only other fight announced for the card is a welterweight bout between veteran Matt Brown and Dhiego Lima.