Jessica Andrade aims to make a statement in her return to the strawweight division by dismantling Yan Xiaonan at UFC 288, securing another title shot against Zhang Weili.
Jessica Andrade is determined to make a statement in her return to the strawweight division by dismantling Yan Xiaonan at UFC 288, with the goal of securing another title shot against Zhang Weili. The former UFC champion has experienced ups and downs in different weight classes over the past few years, coming up short in her attempt to secure the flyweight throne. However, she has still managed to finish some of the best fighters in two divisions. Andrade recently announced on this week’s episode of Trocação Franca podcast that she plans to stay at 115 pounds for good.
In her most recent octagon appearance in 2022, Xiaonan won a majority decision over jiu-jitsu ace Mackenzie Dern. This victory is a stark contrast to what “Bate Estaca” plans to bring to the table in New Jersey. “I’ll always do my best regardless of weight class, and I’ll always come with different things,” Andrade said. “For this fight, I’m coming with sharper Muay Thai, so you might see some different kicks, some elbows, and knees. I want to use everything I’ve trained.”
Andrade had previously moved to Las Vegas with longtime head coach Gilliard Paraná and the entire PRVT crew in 2022, but decided to return to Brazil after her divorce. PRVT recently opened a new gym in São José dos Pinhais, Brazil, and that’s where she plans to conduct her future training camps. For this fight, however, the former UFC queen chose to work with Muay Thai specialist Ademir Mori in Atibaia, Brazil. “I worked a lot on my Muay Thai, the elbows,” Andrade noted. “My bones are sharp. [My teammates] said my elbows are pure bone now [laughs]. It’s mean to come in and tear it all apart.”
Andrade acknowledges that Xiaonan “has a different style” and did a great job of avoiding Dern’s takedowns with kicks to the knees last October. However, Andrade is confident in her speed and powerful kicks. She predicts that if Xiaonan goes for the kill on the feet, “one of us is getting knocked out, no doubt.” With a victory in mind, “Bate Estaca” is eager for another chance to win back her UFC belt.