It’s clear UFC is ‘trying to push me’

LAS VEGAS – Iasmin Lucindo thinks the UFC brass have pegged her as someone with star potential, and she intends to live up to those expectations at UFC 313.

The 23-year-old Brazilian has turned heads with a four-fight winning streak in the strawweight division, including back-to-back victories over Marina Rodriguez and Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Lucindo (17-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC) gets her biggest test yet on Saturday in former title challenger Amanda Lemos at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+), and she understands the requirement of victory if she wants to maintain the same level of promotional support.

“It’s been pretty clear that they’re trying to push me,” Lucindo told MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter at Wednesday’s UFC 313 media day. “I’m doing my best to contribute and make sure that they get their monies worth with me.”

Lemos (14-4-1 MMA, 8-4 UFC), No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie women’s strawweight rankings, is just two fights removed from unsuccessfully challenging Zhang Weili for the belt. She is 15 years older than her countrywoman, but that means more experience for the No. 9-ranked Lucindo to overcome.

“She’s a big name and I’m trying my best not to think too much about that aspect of things, where she has fought everybody and the people that have beat her were really at the top of the division,” Lucindo said. “But I’m trying, just like through fight week, taking it one step at a time. Whenever the door closes it’s not going to be my ranking against hers. It’s not going to be Iasmin against Amanda. It’s going to be two fighters trying to do their best, and I’m hoping I can come out the winner.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.