Jessica Andrade is looking increasingly dangerous. She boasts victories in all three UFC women’s divisions, with finishes from strawweight to bantamweight. The new 135-pound champ, Julianna Pena, shocked the world when she submitted Amanda Nunes late last year to claim the bantamweight title, but Andrade told Trocação Franca that she sees Pena as an easier fight than many of her opponents in the lower weight divisions.
“In theory, it’s easier to fight Julianna, especially for what she’s showed against Amanda. I really think it was more of Amanda [losing than Peña winning], because Amanda is way better than what she’s showed. She was submitted with no hooks in, you could see the pressure wasn’t too much. But I don’t know how Amanda’s weight cut was — it was two years since her last fight [at bantamweight], so something might have affected and led to that.
Andrade: “it’s easier to fight Julianna than the girls at 125 and 115”
She got tired so quickly. It wasn’t the Amanda we’re used to watching. Maybe she will show the Amanda we know in this rematch and get the belt back.
If that doesn’t happen, I really think it’s easier to fight Julianna than the girls at 125 and 115. I hope we get the opportunity to fight one day and it’s for the belt. I think it’s the easier matchup, no doubt.
We’re used to fighting girls at 125 and 115, who are faster and have power in their strikes, and people at 135 are slower, I think due to their weight and how they move. So if you get them tired, it’s over. I get better round after round, I don’t get tired, I don’t slow down, and that would be a good key for me to beat Julianna and maybe win the 135-pound belt.”
Andrade eventually made her way to UFC gold in the 115-pound division, but isn’t ruling out a return to bantamweight.
“Maybe we can risk going to 135 again in the future just so I can prove people that I really won in three weight classes, but only in the final stages of my career. It could be a cool option. Fighting Julianna could be a cool test for me. Imagine that, becoming champion at 135?
Since there’s no one to fight me at 115 and 125, put me to fight for the belt at 135. It’s an option. I’m ready for everything. I’m living here [in Las Vegas] now, so it’s much easier. If you need me, just knock on my door and I’m in.” Do you agree with Jessica Andrade? Let us know in the comments.
