Tatiana Suarez challenges UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili at UFC 312 after a very successful 7-0 run in the promotion, but that decision left Virna Jandiroba with mixed feelings.

While the Brazilian already expected to see Suarez compete for UFC gold, she can’t help but feel frustrated that it comes two months after the date they were supposed to fight. Suarez was forced out of a Dec. 7 bout with Jandiroba due to health issues, and the promotion subsequently announced during the UFC 310 broadcast that Suarez would face Zhang two months later in Sydney.

Jandiroba volunteered to serve as the backup fighter for the UFC 312 co-main event, but the UFC opted to have no reserve fighter for that bout nor Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland. Jandiroba now returns to the cage on April 12, facing Yan Xiaonan in a potential No. 1 contender clash at UFC 314.

“It’s so confusing. It’s crazy,” Jandiroba told MMA Fighting. “Tatiana was ranked ahead of me so I imagined it would be her [next for the title]. I was surprised when they booked our fight, but it was also fair. Then I was informed she had health issues and left the fight, and then she’s fighting for the belt.”

Asked if she believes the UFC simply changed plans and pulled Suarez from UFC 310 to give her a direct shot at the gold instead, the Brazilian said it’s possible “because it was all very obscure.”

“I was frustrated, obviously, but also imagined she would get the shot since Zhang Weili had no fight booked,” Jandiroba said. “I wasn’t surprised when they announced it, but was a bit frustrated. But it is what it is.”

Jandiroba loves the idea of facing Suarez one day because of the clash of styles would favor her, but knows that having Zhang emerge victorious Saturday in Sydney could mean she’s next for the belt with a win over Yan. If Suarez wins, an immediate rematch would mean a longer wait on the sidelines, Jandiroba said.

“I think Zhang is the favorite,” she said. “She’s the champion and she’s consistent, well-rounded, and more experienced than Tatiana, but I think she has to stay alert at all times because Tatiana is dangerous. She has high-level grappling. She has good arm triangles and guillotines, and you the only way to escape that is by tapping out. Zhang Weili is the favorite, but she has to stay alert.”

Jandiroba called for a clash with Yan after seeing the news of Zhang vs. Suarez as a way to cement her position as the No. 1 contender at 115 pound, and believes “there’s no other option” but her next.

“She’s the No. 2 in the ranking and I’m No. 3, and there’s no easy fights here,” Jandiroba said. “I still think it’s a good matchup for me, though. We trained together for a brief period of time at Team Alpha Male. She’s tough, strong, and has a good team around her. [Urijah] Faber is very good and has a very smart team there, but I think it’s a good matchup for me.”

Winning the UFC belt one day would make Jandiroba the third women to ever hold titles in Invicta FC and UFC, joining the select group with Cris Cyborg and Carla Esparza, and make her feel complete as an athlete.

“It’s a dream come true, that’s for sure,” Jandiroba said. “It would be the pinnacle of my career, no doubt. Fighting for a belt is already a huge accomplishment considering my life and what I had to go through to get here. And becoming [UFC] champion after becoming Invicta champion, my entire career, that would be wonderful. I would retire at peace [laughs]. I would defend [the belt], of course, but would be happy with my career already.”