Picture this:
The year is 2013, and it has just been announced that former Strikeforce Women’s Champ Miesha Tate has been pulled from the main card of UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga to fill in as a coach on the reality competition show, “The Ultimate Fighter” alongside rival Ronda Rousey. In her place will be a virtually unknown, Brazilian fighter with a 9-0-2 record making her UFC debut. A chance that most would dream of: to debut on the main card against one of the top fighters in the sport: Liz Carmouche. In not only the first women’s bout shown on Fox but the first bout between two openly gay fighters in UFC history. That fighter was Jessica Andrade. Going in as the underdog it was no surprise to anyone when the newcomer went home with the loss.
Fast forward to May of 2019. Andrade has now established herself as one of the top competitors in the division proudly raising the Strawweight Women’s Title above her head. Just moments after defeating then Champion Rose Namajunas by a knockout in the third round in the “Fight Of The Night”. In one of the most talked-about fights of both of their careers. Before, handing over the belt to Zhang Weili just two months later. But by this point, there was no denying that she was a force to be reckoned with in the octagon.
And now she is hungry for another title shot with Saturday night’s win putting her in the perfect position.
UFC Fight Island 6
This weekend Andrade joined the few UFC fighters to win a bout in three different weight classes. In her flyweight debut with her first-round KO against Katlyn Chookagian bringing her record to 21-0-8.
Claiming the No. 1 contender spot under current flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko. As well as moving up to No. 2 for the most victories in the history of the women’s division.
Despite being the smaller of the two, it was her speed and overall power that allowed her to end the bout just over four minutes into the first round with a TKO. And she has made it clear that she has no plans of slowing down and was already speaking the title match into existence in the post-fight conference.
“I think I can make a difference in this division,” she said. “I think I can put up a fight against Valentina. It’s something that should have happened already in other organizations, so I think I’m going to make a difference and put on shows in this division.”
– Jessica Andrade
Even volunteering to step in for Jennifer Maia who is set to face Shevchenko on November 21st if needed.
“For sure I’m going to stay ready, If that happens, I’ll be there if needed. In any other division – 135, 145 – I’ll be ready… I’m the person to do the movement in this division. It’s exactly what this division needs, it needs to be stirred around a little bit.”
– Jessica Andrade
And at the rate that the UFC has been pushing out content that opportunity may come sooner than expected.
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