Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jessica Andrade
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Fight in the works for July 11
A rematch of a strawweight matchup between Andrade and Rose Namajunas is in the works for the upcoming UFC event on July 11, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The fight was originally expected to take place at UFC 249 in April, but Namajunas dropped off the card after COVID-19 concerns within her family, and the entire event ultimately ended up cancelled. Andrade went on to lose her belt to current champion Weili Zhang after this, so this looks like it will be a three-round fight with no title on the line. While Andrade closed as a betting favorite the first time around, early oddsmakers give Namajunas a (-180) edge for the rematch. No location has been named at this time, though it's been rumored this will be one of the first cards to take place on the UFC's "Fight Island."
The fight was originally expected to take place at UFC 249 in April, but Namajunas dropped off the card after COVID-19 concerns within her family, and the entire event ultimately ended up cancelled. Andrade went on to lose her belt to current champion Weili Zhang after this, so this looks like it will be a three-round fight with no title on the line. While Andrade closed as a betting favorite the first time around, early oddsmakers give Namajunas a (-180) edge for the rematch. No location has been named at this time, though it's been rumored this will be one of the first cards to take place on the UFC's "Fight Island."
Needs new opponent at UFC 249
Andrade is in search of a new opponent for UFC 249 on April 18 following the withdrawal of Rose Namajunas, Raphael Marinho of Combate reports.
ANALYSIS
Andrade was set to enter this matchup as a (+175) betting underdog, but a win would have put her right back in the conversation for a rematch with champion Weili Zhang. Instead, Andrade will be left in search of a new opponent for an event 10 days away without a publicly-announced location. The initial report from Marinho mentions Claudia Gadelha and Carla Esparza as potential replacement options.
Andrade was set to enter this matchup as a (+175) betting underdog, but a win would have put her right back in the conversation for a rematch with champion Weili Zhang. Instead, Andrade will be left in search of a new opponent for an event 10 days away without a publicly-announced location. The initial report from Marinho mentions Claudia Gadelha and Carla Esparza as potential replacement options.
Confirmed for UFC 249
Andrade will officially take on Rose Namajunas in a strawweight matchup at UFC 249 on April 18.
ANALYSIS
This was one matchup that was scheduled all along, but concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic put this fight -- along with others on the card -- in jeopardy. Andrade had been rumored to leave Brazil early for the U.S. in order to stay ready for the fight, and now it looks like that move paid off. Andrade will now finally get her rematch from a May 2019 loss to Namajunas. She was out-landed in that matchup 55 to 47 before turning things around with a KO slam victory. While her wrestling game remains superior, statistically at least, oddsmakers have pegged Andrade as approximately a (+180) betting underdog in advance of this event.
This was one matchup that was scheduled all along, but concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic put this fight -- along with others on the card -- in jeopardy. Andrade had been rumored to leave Brazil early for the U.S. in order to stay ready for the fight, and now it looks like that move paid off. Andrade will now finally get her rematch from a May 2019 loss to Namajunas. She was out-landed in that matchup 55 to 47 before turning things around with a KO slam victory. While her wrestling game remains superior, statistically at least, oddsmakers have pegged Andrade as approximately a (+180) betting underdog in advance of this event.
Gets rematch with Rose Namajunas
Andrade will face Rose Namajunas in a strawweight matchup at UFC 249 on April 18, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
The fight has yet to be officially confirmed by the promotion, but a verbal agreement is reportedly in place between the two fighters. Andrade lost to Weili Zhang via TKO (strikes) at UFC Shenzhen in August in an unsuccessful attempt to defend the title she won from Namajunas. Andrade lasted less than a minute due to her poor striking defense. Namajunas is coming off a 180-day medical suspension for a neck injury sustained during her loss to Andrade via KO (slam) at UFC 237 in May. Namajunas outmatched Andrade for most of their fight before Andrade knocked Namajunas out cold with a fluke slam. Andrade has some work to do if she hopes to get back into the title picture moving forward. Namajunas carries advantages in height and reach.
The fight has yet to be officially confirmed by the promotion, but a verbal agreement is reportedly in place between the two fighters. Andrade lost to Weili Zhang via TKO (strikes) at UFC Shenzhen in August in an unsuccessful attempt to defend the title she won from Namajunas. Andrade lasted less than a minute due to her poor striking defense. Namajunas is coming off a 180-day medical suspension for a neck injury sustained during her loss to Andrade via KO (slam) at UFC 237 in May. Namajunas outmatched Andrade for most of their fight before Andrade knocked Namajunas out cold with a fluke slam. Andrade has some work to do if she hopes to get back into the title picture moving forward. Namajunas carries advantages in height and reach.
Loses UFC Strawweight Championship
Andrade lost her UFC Women's Strawweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Weili Zhang via TKO (strikes) at 0:42 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night in Shenzhen, China.
ANALYSIS
What a disaster. Making the first defense of her title she won from Rose Namajunas in May, Andrade lasted less than a minute. Her biggest weakness has always been her poor striking defense and that was on full display again Saturday. People forget that Andrade was getting dominated by Rose before a fluke slam knocked Namajunas out cold. The Brazilian wasn't as fortunate in this one. Andrade never had the look of a long-term champion, but to last just 42 seconds in her only title defense is quite shocking. The division isn't particularly deep, but Andrade has a ways to go in order to get back in the title picture. She entered Saturday's defense as a (-185) favorite.
What a disaster. Making the first defense of her title she won from Rose Namajunas in May, Andrade lasted less than a minute. Her biggest weakness has always been her poor striking defense and that was on full display again Saturday. People forget that Andrade was getting dominated by Rose before a fluke slam knocked Namajunas out cold. The Brazilian wasn't as fortunate in this one. Andrade never had the look of a long-term champion, but to last just 42 seconds in her only title defense is quite shocking. The division isn't particularly deep, but Andrade has a ways to go in order to get back in the title picture. She entered Saturday's defense as a (-185) favorite.