Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at a matchup of women’s bantamweights as Amanda Lemos makes her debut against veteran Leslie Smith at UFC Fight Night 113 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Amanda “Amandinha” Lemos
Hometown: Belem, Brazil
Age: 30
Height: 5-foot-4
Reach: NA
Weight Class: Women’s Bantamweight
Camp: Marajo Brothers Team
Career Record: 6-0-1
Key Wins: None
Key Losses: None
Background The Marajo Brothers Team fighter has gone undefeated in her stint prior to the UFC. All of her victories come inside the distance. Her UFC debut will be the first time she’s fighting outside of her native Brazil.
Strengths
- Physical fighter
- Throws power punches in bunches
- Good right leg switch kick
- Heavy ground-and-pound
Weaknesses
- Small for the weight class
- Level of opposition limited at best
- Susceptible to takedowns
- Ground game a question mark
- Slows down after round one
Fighter Grade
Offensive Striking: C+
Striking Defense: D
Knockout Power: B-
Athleticism / Speed: D+
Footwork: D+
Chin: C-
Offensive Wrestling: D+
Takedown Defense: D-
Submissions: D+
Conditioning: D
Intangibles: D+
Overall Grade: D+
Matchup with Leslie Smith The veteran Smith welcomes the Brazilian Lemos to the UFC. This should be an entertaining fight to open the Fight Night 113 card. Lemos will come out swinging in this fight. She tends to start fast in her bouts, combining power with combination punches. She may even mix in a couple of switch kicks. Smith will need to be cautious in the early part of this bout, as Lemos does possess fight-ending power. Smith has been durable during her career, but she has been finished in her last two bouts. If she’s able to survive the early power shots, this fight plays into Smith’s favor. Smith has excellent cardio and one of the highest striking volumes in the UFC. I expect Smith to take over this fight in the second round, taking advantage of Lemos’ limited cardio to win by either late stoppage or decision.
UFC Ceiling Lemos is a quick starter and could punish some of the lower-tier fighters in the UFC. However, she needs to develop some grappling elements if she’s going to be able to win fights in the UFC. She will not be able to put away better opponents early in bouts, and with her questionable cardio, she’s going to struggle to win fights, as she can’t rely on a ground game to employ when she’s tired and running on fumes.
Fight Film Check out Lemos in some of her most recent fights…
Lemos vs. Mayra Cantuaria
Lemos vs. Carol Cunha
