Author: Chandra Moulee Das
Brazil’s Jessica Andrade is anticipating significant potential gains from her next fight, when she returns to the cage as the UFC’s co-main event at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The former UFC strawweight champion will face undefeated competitor Tatiana Suarez.
While acknowledging that Suarez represents a tough challenge for anyone in the division, Andrade also recognizes the high risks and rewards that can come with a win. After two consecutive defeats, Andrade believes that a win against Suarez could propel her back into title contention.
Andrade was quoted as telling MMA Junkie: “Within the UFC, I’ve broken a lot of records and beaten some fighters who had never been knocked out before, so I think it would just be another fight. I have a lot of experience. A win over Tatiana would be very good for my career, because this fight could put me close to a title shot soon. I think I’d have to do another fight after beating Tatiana, (but) that puts me one win away.“
However, Andrade remains uncertain about the exact implications of the fight, considering the current state of the strawweight division. She believes a clearer picture will emerge after the upcoming strawweight title fight between champion Zhang Weili and challenger Amanda Lemos at UFC 292 on August 19.
“It’s a difficult question to answer because our division is a bit confusing. If Amanda beats Weili, Weili will have a rematch. If Weili beats Amanda, she’ll probably fight Yan Xionanan in China. So I don’t know who I’ll face next, but I’m here to fight, and the UFC will decide, and I’ll be ready for whatever they put in front of me” said Andrade.