Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jessica Andrade
Can DraftKings scoring machine Merab Dvalishvili keep pace Saturday at UFC 266? Chris Olson breaks down fights by style to make recommendations based on scoring criteria for four separate MMA DFS sites.
The picks are in. Seven RotoWire experts make their selections for UFC 266, and the crew can only agree unanimously on a single pick.
Will Nick Diaz regain his old form Saturday in Las Vegas? Drake Burden returns to offers his personal DFS spin on every UFC 266 matchup, all the way down to the early prelims.
The UFC returns to pay-per-view for the first time in over a month, with two title fights set to headline the event. Jon Litterine is back to break down key fights on DraftKings and make his picks.
A veteran light heavyweight fighter looks to make it three in a row Saturday in what will be a packed card in Las Vegas. Jon Litterine breaks down four key DFS fights and makes his picks for the rest.
More Fantasy News
September fight booked
Andrade will take on Cynthia Calvillo in a flyweight bout at UFC 266 on Sept. 25, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Andrade lost to Valentina Shevchenko for the 125-pound title in April by TKO. Prior to that she was able to defeated Katlyn Chookagain via first round TKO. Calvillo will be looking to bounce back after a loss of her own back in November.
Andrade lost to Valentina Shevchenko for the 125-pound title in April by TKO. Prior to that she was able to defeated Katlyn Chookagain via first round TKO. Calvillo will be looking to bounce back after a loss of her own back in November.
Dominated in title fight
Andrade came up short in her quest for the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship on Saturday, falling to Valentina Shevchenko via TKO (punches) at 3:19 of Round 2 at UFC 261 in Jacksonville.
ANALYSIS
Andrade never had a prayer. In just her second fight at flyweight, Andrade was dominated from bell-to-bell by a next-level physical force. Of course, none of this comes as a surprise. All of Andrade's success came at 115 pounds, while Shevchenko nearly defeated Amanda Nunes twice at 135 pounds. Andrade never would have been in this position had the UFC had any other options at flyweight, but as we all well know, they do not. Ultimately, this result says far less about Andrade than Shevchenko. Jessica can still be a perfectly competent strawweight, but she isn't within a million miles of Valentina.
Andrade never had a prayer. In just her second fight at flyweight, Andrade was dominated from bell-to-bell by a next-level physical force. Of course, none of this comes as a surprise. All of Andrade's success came at 115 pounds, while Shevchenko nearly defeated Amanda Nunes twice at 135 pounds. Andrade never would have been in this position had the UFC had any other options at flyweight, but as we all well know, they do not. Ultimately, this result says far less about Andrade than Shevchenko. Jessica can still be a perfectly competent strawweight, but she isn't within a million miles of Valentina.
Gets title shot at 125
Andrade will challenge Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Flyweight Championship at UFC 261 on April 24, Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Following an unsuccessful attempt to gain back her UFC Strawweight Championship, Andrade moved up to flyweight and started things off with a first-round finish against top contender Katlyn Chookagian. Andrade overcame significant height and reach disadvantages in that fight -- something she'll have to get used to at flyweight. She'll be giving up four inches in both departments to the current champion. Andrade will presumably look to negate those aspects by pursuing takedowns early and often, though Shevchenko sports a respectable 75 percent takedown defense and has only been taken down once during her six-fight winning streak. Andrade also throws a higher striking volume, though Shevchenko is statistically much better defensively. It will be one of Shevchenko's tougher title defenses to date, but still look for Andrade to enter as a betting underdog.
Following an unsuccessful attempt to gain back her UFC Strawweight Championship, Andrade moved up to flyweight and started things off with a first-round finish against top contender Katlyn Chookagian. Andrade overcame significant height and reach disadvantages in that fight -- something she'll have to get used to at flyweight. She'll be giving up four inches in both departments to the current champion. Andrade will presumably look to negate those aspects by pursuing takedowns early and often, though Shevchenko sports a respectable 75 percent takedown defense and has only been taken down once during her six-fight winning streak. Andrade also throws a higher striking volume, though Shevchenko is statistically much better defensively. It will be one of Shevchenko's tougher title defenses to date, but still look for Andrade to enter as a betting underdog.
Punishing body shot leads to win
Andrade defeated Katlyn Chookagian via TKO (punches to the body) at 4:55 of Round 1 UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Andrade was able to get her wrestling going in Round 1, but it was a short hook to the body as the two separated from a clinch that hurt Chookagian, causing her to turn and walk away from her opponent in pain. Andrade swarmed on Chookagain from there, landing one more body hook to close the show. Andrade was unlikely to get another shot at the straweight title on the back of a two-fight losing streak but just stopped the No. 1 contender at flyweight in convincing fashion, which should net her an instant opportunity due to the shallow talent pool at the top. Andrade improves to 21-8 in professional MMA as a result of the victory.
Andrade was able to get her wrestling going in Round 1, but it was a short hook to the body as the two separated from a clinch that hurt Chookagian, causing her to turn and walk away from her opponent in pain. Andrade swarmed on Chookagain from there, landing one more body hook to close the show. Andrade was unlikely to get another shot at the straweight title on the back of a two-fight losing streak but just stopped the No. 1 contender at flyweight in convincing fashion, which should net her an instant opportunity due to the shallow talent pool at the top. Andrade improves to 21-8 in professional MMA as a result of the victory.
Headed to flyweight
Andrade will make her flyweight debut against Katlyn Chookagian at the UFC event scheduled for Oct. 17, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Andrade is essentially out of luck at strawweight, as back-to-back losses to current champion Weili Zhang and top contender Rose Namajunas have placed her in a position where it would be a long road back to another title opportunity. She'll now shift her focus to 125 pounds and no longer have to worry about such an intense weight cut. The downside is she'll be giving up size advantages to just about every flyweight on the roster, which is especially the case with Chookagian. Andrade will be giving up eight inches in height and six inches in reach to the former title contender, which will undoubtedly influence bettors who see the two step on the scale and face off. Andrade shouldn't be discounted, however, as her relentless motor has given her massive statistical advantages in both striking volume and takedown average. Her best chance to negate the size difference here will be to initiate clinch and grappling situations against Chookagian, who sports just a 50 percent takedown defense.
Andrade is essentially out of luck at strawweight, as back-to-back losses to current champion Weili Zhang and top contender Rose Namajunas have placed her in a position where it would be a long road back to another title opportunity. She'll now shift her focus to 125 pounds and no longer have to worry about such an intense weight cut. The downside is she'll be giving up size advantages to just about every flyweight on the roster, which is especially the case with Chookagian. Andrade will be giving up eight inches in height and six inches in reach to the former title contender, which will undoubtedly influence bettors who see the two step on the scale and face off. Andrade shouldn't be discounted, however, as her relentless motor has given her massive statistical advantages in both striking volume and takedown average. Her best chance to negate the size difference here will be to initiate clinch and grappling situations against Chookagian, who sports just a 50 percent takedown defense.