Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jessica Andrade
Does anyone have the courage to fade the chalk on the three title fights this week? The team of RotoWire MMA contributors make their picks for UFC 261. Only three unanimous selections.
Flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko comes at a lofty price tag, but Cole Shelton has a parlay idea to bring that cost down, plus three more bets for UFC 261.
In a rematch of a dominant victory last July, will the result be any different for welterweight king Kamaru Usman? With $200k up for grabs on DraftKings, Jon Litterine takes a look at UFC 261 from a DFS angle.
One of the UFC's most dominant champions returns as a heavy, heavy favorite for UFC 255 on Saturday. Is she a must-play on DraftKings? Jon Litterine breaks down six key fights and makes his picks.
Is the favorite in a five-round fight worth your captain spot on FanDuel this weekend? Chris Olson offers up his favorite captain options, cash plays and underdogs for UFC Fight Island 6.
More Fantasy News
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.
Drops tight one to Rose Namajunas
Andrade lost to Rose Namajunas via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC 251 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
It was a back-and-forth affair that proved there is very little separating these two women. It would have been great if this was a five-rounder. Andrade started slowly before beginning to find her range in the later stages of Round 2. By the time Round 3 rolled around, Jessica was in full control. She landed the harder shots throughout the course of the fight, but it was Rose who out-did her in volume. It was interesting that Andrade -- who is known for her brute strength and takedown ability -- felt comfortable engaging Namajunas in a kickboxing match. Andrade's stock didn't dip much here despite the setback. She'll even go home with a $50,000 bonus after this bout was awarded Fight of the Night honors. That being said, she has now dropped two in a row and needs to emerge victorious her next time out.
It was a back-and-forth affair that proved there is very little separating these two women. It would have been great if this was a five-rounder. Andrade started slowly before beginning to find her range in the later stages of Round 2. By the time Round 3 rolled around, Jessica was in full control. She landed the harder shots throughout the course of the fight, but it was Rose who out-did her in volume. It was interesting that Andrade -- who is known for her brute strength and takedown ability -- felt comfortable engaging Namajunas in a kickboxing match. Andrade's stock didn't dip much here despite the setback. She'll even go home with a $50,000 bonus after this bout was awarded Fight of the Night honors. That being said, she has now dropped two in a row and needs to emerge victorious her next time out.
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.