Former LFA strawweight champion Jacqueline Amorim is in no hurry to add another belt to her UFC collection. But that doesn’t mean she’s avoiding bigger challenges.
Amorim is set to take on former DEEP titleholder Mizuki Inoue at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, and she likes the slower build the UFC gives her. Since losing to Sam Hughes in his Octagon debut in April 2023, Amorim has racked up four consecutive finishes, defeating Montserrat Conejo, Cory McKenna, Vanessa Demopoulos and Poliana Viana.
Amorim told MMA Fighting that he feels fighting Inoue in Abu Dhabi is the perfect step before taking on a ranked opponent. “I’m still new to the UFC.”
“I came into this organization with just six fights, and my opponent is very experienced, so this is a really good matchup before I go up against a ranked opponent,” she continued. “If I win this match, I will definitely face a higher-ranked opponent next time. But I want to be prepared. You don’t want to be unprepared even if you reach the ranking, right?”
UFC 321 will feature a rematch between Vilna Jandirova and Mackenzie Dern for the vacant 115-pound title. Amorim, a Jiu-Jitsu veteran like his two co-headliners, is happy to see his fellow grapplers clash for UFC glory.
“I was really happy when the title fight was announced,” Amorim said. “Both girls are great grapplers. I really like them both. I’ve always looked up to them. I watched them fight in the UFC even before I started MMA. It’s great for us grapplers to see two women like that. I believe they will put up a great match.”
“Mackenzie has made great strides both in her striking and in adapting Jiu-Jitsu to MMA,” she continued. “But I think this could be a different kind of fight. Given Vilna’s recent wins, I believe she will have the advantage. I think Vilna is more evolved for MMA. If I had to bet, I would put my money on Vilna, but I like them both so I would be happy with whichever one wins.”
Competing in Abu Dhabi is nothing new for Amorim, who won the UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro title as a purple belt in 2014 and traveled to the UAE to make a name for himself in the grappling world. Returning to the UAE after 11 years, she is “super excited” to perform in MMA.
“This is a very special place to me,” Amorim said. “The first time I came here was in 2011. It was my first trip abroad, I didn’t speak English, and I was a blue belt. It’s really rewarding to come back now and fight in the biggest event in the world, the UFC. When I was a blue belt, everything was just a dream. Now I’m really happy that it’s all a reality and I want to do my best for everyone on Saturday.”
Mizuki has never competed in MMA and has struggled to win most of his MMA matches. Amorim knows the Japanese fighter is “a much more experienced fighter than I am,” but he still plans to make him tap out on Saturday.
“She’s never been submitted before, so this will probably be the first time, because I’m going there to get a finish,” Amorim said. “Every time I step into the Octagon, my goal is to show off my jiu-jitsu. It actually makes me even more motivated to get in there and get a submission. … She’s been out for two years, so I don’t know how she’s going to come back, but based on her last fight, I think her style matches well with mine. Maybe she’ll bring something different to this fight, but I’m ready for anything.”
“Mizuki fought at Invicta, and I think he fought Virna for the title there as well,” he added. “She has fought against some of the girls who are currently in the UFC, including former champions. I believe she is a very good fighter with solid boxing, good footwork, and a jiu-jitsu background as well. At this point in my career, she is a great challenge for me because she is good both standing and on the ground, so it will be a little tougher than my recent fights.”