Amanda Lemos

Amanda Lemos is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing in the women's strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. She is known for her exceptional knockout power and physical strength, qualities that have made her a perennial top contender in one of the sport's deepest divisions. Lemos has earned three Performance of the Night bonuses and challenged for the UFC strawweight title in 2022. Her aggressive, forward-pressure fighting style and finishing ability have made her a fan favorite among Brazilian MMA enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. As of 2026, she remains an active ranked contender, consistently facing the division's elite.[edit]

Lemos grew up in Belém, a city in northern Brazil known for its Amazonian culture and strong martial arts tradition. Before transitioning to mixed martial arts, she worked as a security guard and then as a police officer in Brazil. Her early interest in combat sports led her to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, which formed the foundation of her MMA career. She began fighting professionally in 2010, competing in regional Brazilian promotions before catching the attention of larger organizations. A pivotal moment came when she signed with Invicta Fighting Championships, an all-female MMA promotion, where she gained valuable experience and exposure.[edit]

Lemos made her professional MMA debut in 2010, compiling a record of 5-0-1 before signing with Invicta FC, where she went 1-1 from 2015 to 2016. Her breakthrough came when she joined the UFC in 2017, winning her debut on July 16 at UFC Fight Night 113 by submitting Amanda Bobby Cooper with a rear-naked choke in the first round. She earned her first Performance of the Night bonus in 2020 by TKOing Mizuki Inoue, then delivered a stunning first-round knockout of former champion Jéssica Andrade on July 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 26, a win that catapulted her into title contention. On August 20, 2022, she challenged Carla Esparza for the UFC strawweight championship at UFC 278, losing by unanimous decision. She rebounded with a split decision win over Marina Rodriguez in November 2022, then faced Zhang Weili at UFC 292 in August 2023, losing a competitive unanimous decision. On March 23, 2024, she submitted Mackenzie Dern with a rear-naked choke, earning her third Performance of the Night bonus. She lost to Virna Jandiroba by unanimous decision on July 20, 2024. As of 2026, Lemos holds a professional record of 14-4-1 and remains ranked among the top strawweight contenders.[edit]

Lemos is portrayed by media as a powerful striker with legitimate knockout ability in a division where finishes are rare. Her fighting style is aggressive and forward-pressure oriented, relying on heavy hands and physical strength. She is not known for a flashy personality or trash talk; instead, she presents as a focused, serious competitor. Her fanbase is primarily composed of Brazilian MMA fans and casual UFC viewers who appreciate her exciting fighting style. She does not have an official fandom name. Her social media presence is professional and fight-focused, without the lifestyle or personality-driven content common among other fighters.[edit]

Amanda Lemos stands as a formidable name in the global sports landscape, though her current standing reflects the specific metrics of modern fame measurement. According to the August 2026 evaluation by the iFANN Global Fame Engine, she is currently evaluated but does not hold a placement within the published rankings, meaning she sits outside the Global Top 1,000 and any Top-100 scope lists. This neutral status acknowledges her significant athletic achievements without inflating her reach beyond the documented data points of search volume and media consumption. Her presence resonates most deeply within the Brazilian MMA community and among casual UFC viewers who follow the strawweight division, yet this audience operates without a formal collective identity. There is no documented fandom name like "Team Amanda" or a specific moniker for her supporters; instead, her following remains a standard social media base of approximately 71,000 Instagram followers, typical for a mid-tier contender rather than a global superstar with a dedicated cultural movement. While she has faced high-stakes bouts that generate excitement, such as her recent contest against Alexia Thainara, these events have not spawned viral folklore, fan-funded projects, or organized rituals. The narrative surrounding her career remains strictly competitive, focused on her physical preparation and fighting record rather than mythologized stories or legendary incidents that transcend the sport itself.[edit]

Amanda Lemos has never been knocked out in her professional MMA career as of 2026, a reflection of her durability and defensive awareness. She trained at the Marajó Brothers gym in Belém, a team known for producing tough Brazilian fighters who bring grit to the octagon. Her victory over Jéssica Andrade in 2021 is considered one of the biggest upsets in women's strawweight history, as Andrade was a former champion and heavy favorite at the time. Lemos boasts a 100% finish rate in her early wins, though some later victories went to decision after her career progressed. She is one of the few Brazilian female fighters to challenge for a UFC title in the strawweight division, having faced Carla Esparza for the belt in 2022. Her nickname is not widely publicized in official records; she is simply known as Amanda Lemos in the UFC, though sources occasionally refer to her as "Amandinha." In August 2026, a verified incident occurred during weigh-ins for UFC Vegas 120 where Lemos struggled to make weight, requiring three attempts to hit the strawweight limit before facing Alexia Thainara. While this event was reported as a difficulty in physical preparation, it did not evolve into a piece of popular folklore or a legendary moment in the sense of a cultural myth.[edit]

Lemos was born and raised in Belém, Pará, Brazil. She has not publicly disclosed details about her parents or siblings. She keeps her family life private and has not shared information about any children or pets. She currently lives in Belém, where she trains at the Marajó Brothers gym.[edit]

Lemos has faced several former UFC champions and top contenders. She defeated former strawweight champion Jéssica Andrade by knockout in 2021. She lost to former champion Carla Esparza in a 2022 title fight, and to former champion Zhang Weili in 2023. She submitted top contender Mackenzie Dern in 2024. She trains at the Marajó Brothers gym in Belém.[edit]

Amanda Lemos has kept her romantic relationships entirely private. There are no confirmed public relationships, marriages, divorces, or children reported in credible sources. Unlike many UFC fighters who share details of their personal lives on social media, Lemos maintains a strict boundary between her professional fighting career and private life. As of 2026, Amanda Lemos is single, with no confirmed romantic partner.[edit]

iFANN currently estimates Amanda Lemos's net worth at $1 Million as of 2026. Her primary income source is UFC fight purses, which have ranged from $24,000 for early bouts to over $100,000 for her title fight against Carla Esparza. Her total disclosed UFC career earnings are approximately $400,000 to $600,000. She has earned $150,000 from three Performance of the Night bonuses at $50,000 each. Sponsorship income is limited due to UFC's exclusive uniform deal with Venum. She has no publicly reported endorsement deals, real estate holdings, or business ventures.[edit]

Lemos has won three UFC Performance of the Night bonuses, each awarded for standout finishes. She earned the first for her TKO of Mizuki Inoue in 2020, the second for her first-round knockout of former champion Jéssica Andrade in 2021, and the third for her submission of Mackenzie Dern in 2024.[edit]