Jessica Andrade captivated her home country when she became the UFC strawweight champion with a victory over Rose Namajunas earlier this year at UFC 237.
Andrade scored the win – and title in the process – with a vicious slam in the second round. She is set to make her first defense this Saturday morning when the UFC heads to China against Weili Zhang live on ESPN+.
UFC 237: Jessica Andrade Vs. Rose Namajunas
The 27-year-old Andrade has picked up four consecutive victories since a 2017 loss to then-UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 211 via decision. While she was unsuccessful that night, Andrade showed just how close she was to becoming a champion by pushing Jedrzejczyk the full 25 minutes. Related: Jessica Andrade Shows Off UFC Title, Naked Body (Picture)
Later that year, she rebounded with a decision win vs. fellow top contender Claudia Gadelha, adding another decision to begin 2018 over Tecia Torres to the resume. At UFC 228, Andrade cemented her status as the No. 1 contender by knocking out Karolina Kowalkiewicz in the first round in a “Performance of the Night” showing. Related: UFC 237 Results: Jessica Andrade Slams Her Way To Championship
Andrade also claimed a bonus with her finish vs. Namajunas, adding to a pair of “Fight of the Night” awards in bouts vs. Jedrzejczyk and Angela Hill. She also holds a “Performance of the Night” bonus from a 2016 finish of former champion Jessica Penne.
UFC Fight Night 157: Andrade Vs. Zhang
MAIN CARD
UFC Strawweight Championship
Jessica Andrade (c) vs. Weili Zhang
Welterweight: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Li Jingliang
Flyweight: Kai Kara-France vs. Mark De La Rosa
Featherweight: Zhenhong Lu vs. Movsar Evoloev
Female Flyweight: Yanan Wu vs. Mizuki Inoue
PRELIMINARY CARD
Welterweight: Kenan Song vs. Derrick Krantz
Middleweight: Anthony Hernandez vs. Jun Yong Park
Bantamweight: Mudaerji Su vs. Andre Soukhamthath
Light Heavyweight: Da Un Jung vs. Khadis Ibragimov
Lightweight: Damir Ismagulov vs. Thiago Moises
Female Bantamweight: Karolline Rosa Cavedo vs. Lara Fritzen Procopio
Bantamweight: Batgerel Danaa vs. Heili Alateng