Suarez’s return to action is particularly well timed, with a changing of the guard set to take place at the top of the strawweight division.
Zhang is set to vacate the belt and move up to challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the undisputed women’s flyweight title, while strawweight contenders Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern are set to face off for the 115-pound title in the co-main event of UFC 321.
It means that, should Suarez claim victory on Saturday night, she could find herself first in line to challenge the new champion. But while she recognizes the situation, Suarez said she won’t be looking to rush straight back into a title fight if she’s successful on Saturday night.
“I think this will definitely get me in the talks of, ‘OK, who’s next for the belt?’” she said. “I’m not asking for an immediate title shot after I go and win, but I do think that it sets me up and it puts me in a good spot… If I have to go ahead and beat Yan Xiaonan next, I’ll do that, as well. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m just excited to get this one done and then, obviously, keep climbing towards my goal of becoming a world champion.”
