Virna Jandiroba reacts to controversial scorecard in Invicta FC title win over Mizuki Inoue

Virna Jandiroba became the Invicta FC strawweight champion with a dominant victory over Mizuki Inoue at Saturday’s event in Salt Lake City. Yet, one of the judges thought she lost at that night at Invicta FC 28.

Jandiroba put on a dominant performance against the Japanese star in Utah, winning four of the five rounds in two of the judges’ scorecards. but judge Rochelle Montanez scored the contest 49-46 in Inoue’s favor.

”I was surprised with that,” Jandiroba told MMA Fighting. “I was confident I had won the fight, but I was surprised with his decision.”

When the announcer read Montanez’s scorecard and said it was split decision, Jandiroba started to wonder if she had done enough to win the Invicta FC belt.

”I was afraid, I thought ‘holy sh*t, am I going to lose?’” Jandiroba said with a laugh. “My heart was racing, I was really afraid, but everything went right.

“That has happened to me before in Brazil, at Fight 2 Night. I won all three rounds against Ericka Almeida, but one of the judges gave her the win and it was completely absurd, but the important (thing) is that the Invicta belt came.”

Used to submitting her opponents, Jandiroba improved to 13-0 in MMA with the third decision victory of her career, and admits that Inoue was tougher than she expected.

“I think it was a great fight,” Jandiroba said. “I had five rounds to show everything in my game. My cardio, my striking, my takedowns, everything. Mizuki is really tough, more than I expected. I knew she was a tough girl, but she really was tougher than I expected. She doesn’t quit. But it was the fight I wanted.

”She was the biggest challenge Invicta could’ve given me so far, and I beat her. I’m really happy with the way I won. A submission would be the icing on the cake, but I think it was a good fight.”

Jandiroba is now 2-0 under the Invicta FC banner, but the possibility of making the transition to the UFC’s strawweight division makes it unclear whether or not she will actually defend the 115-pound title.

“I want to stay with the belt, but if the UFC comes, I’m open to whatever comes,” Jandiroba explained. “Something good will definitely come, a title defense or the UFC. I’m waiting.

“There was no conversation (with the Invicta FC crew) about who’s next yet,” she added. “I don’t see any other girl except Janaisa (Morandin) who makes sense. I think she’s possibly the next in line.”