Jessica Andrade placing flyweight on maintain to decide to strawweight: ‘It is the division the place I turned champion’

Jessica Andrade has been going forwards and backwards between flyweight and strawweight up to now few years, however that’s come to an finish.

Andrade has determined to place her flyweight profession on maintain to give attention to getting again the belt she as soon as held at 115 kilos. This marketing campaign to give attention to one division begins Saturday within the co-main occasion of UFC on ESPN 50, which takes place at Bridgestone Enviornment in Nashville, Tenn.

Andrade (24-11 MMA, 15-9 UFC) takes on undefeated contender Tatiana Suarez (9-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in hopes to bounce again from a two-fight skid.

“Now I wish to keep on this division,” Andrade told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “It’s the division the place I turned champion. I believe that staying on this division is an efficient factor. I’m stronger, I’m higher. I’m additionally good within the division above, however I wish to simply give attention to one division as a result of once I’m in two divisions, I’m not nicely ranked in both. I’m all the time fourth, fifth, eight, but when I solely give attention to one, I believe I’ll transfer to No. 1 as soon as once more.

“After I win the title (at strawweight), then I’d wish to transfer to flyweight and combat for a belt there to attempt to be a two-division UFC champion.”

Andrade fought 5 instances at 125 kilos and went 3-2. Her defeats got here towards then-champion Valentina Shevchenko in a championship bout and a short-notice combat towards then-rising contender Erin Blanchfield.

The Brazilian felt snug combating at flyweight, however she does admit she was giving up benefits that she in any other case wouldn’t have at strawweight.

“After I combat at strawweight, I’m combating women which can be my identical peak and dimension,” Andrade stated. “Generally you’ll have somebody like Tatiana who’s greater, but it surely’s very manageable since I fought at 135. I’m used to all this. It’ll be good. That is my weight class.”

So far as the bout towards Suarez, Andrade sees it as a very good alternative to get again within the title combine. She is aware of there’s a danger in taking a talented contender on quick discover, however she additionally is aware of there’s a giant reward if victorious.

“After they advised me about this combat, it was a couple of month in the past,” Andrade stated. “Virna (Jandiroba) has a booked combat towards Tatiana, however she suffered an damage and needed to get surgical procedure. The UFC referred to as me and stated, ‘Jessica, you wish to combat once more?’ and I spoke to my coach and administration, and we stated, ‘Yeah, let’s go.’ It’s a very good combat.

“I’m coming off two losses, so I believe a win over Tatiana is a powerful assertion to get again within the combine, and who know, possibly this coming yr I’m combating for the belt. Combating Tatiana is an excellent alternative.”

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