New York – Jessica Andrade anticipates an encounter with familiar foes in 2024 when she steps into the octagon.
Former UFC strawweight champion Andrade (25-12 MMA, 16-10 UFC) rounded up a remarkable, albeit tumultuous 2023 with a comeback victory. At UFC 295, Andrade decisively defeated Mackenzie Dern (13-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) with strikes in the second round, claiming her second win of the year and putting an end to a three-fight losing streak.
Furthermore, Andrade, in her personal life, has grappled with financial strain brought about by a divorce. This led to her making five appearances in the UFC octagon this year.
She got off to a strong start in January with a unanimous decision win against Lauren Murphy but then suffered three consecutive defeats to Erin Blanchfield, Yan Xiaonan, and Tatiana Suarez. Nevertheless, after her UFC 295 victory, Andrade is prepared to chart a course back to the title and is eager to avenge past losses in 2024.
“The rematches are what will take me through the path of being a champion again,” Andrade explained to reporters via an interpreter at a post-fight press conference. “I know that in order to actually be a champion and to fight for the belt toward the end of next year, I’m going to have to have some rematches and beat some girls that beat me. I do feel that’s going to be the way.”
Since her 2019 victory over Rose Namajunas to win the strawweight title, Andrade has faced significant challenges, accumulating a record of 5-6 as she moved between the 115 and 125-pound divisions. One of the more distressing outcomes during that period was her 42-second loss to Zhang Weili in her first title defense.
“I think having the opportunity to fight Weili was taken quickly, so I strongly believe I deserve another chance,” Andrade expressed. “It would be really cool if Joanna (Jedrzejczyk) comes back. That would be really interesting.”
Consistently taking on elite competition, Andrade will likely have to face a few names that have handed her losses if she is to fight for the title again in 2024. Irrespective of who might stand in her path, she hopes to book a spot at the upcoming milestone pay-per-view event organized by the promotion.
“Something that I really want for next year is to actually be able to fight on UFC 300,” Andrade revealed. “It’s something that’s going to be historic, and I would love to be a part of it.”
For more information on the event, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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