Jessica Andrade

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Jéssica Andrade – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life and fight legacy of Jéssica Andrade — Brazilian MMA star (born September 25, 1991), former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion, known for ferocity, skill across weight classes, and multiple performance records.

Introduction

Jéssica Fernanda da Costa Andrade (born September 25, 1991) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the UFC, notably in the Strawweight and Flyweight divisions.

Nicknamed “Bate Estaca” (which roughly translates as “Pile Driver”), she is known for her explosive power, grappling ability, and willingness to fight in multiple weight classes.

Andrade became UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion in 2019, delivering one of the more dramatic finishes in women’s UFC history.

In this article, we’ll trace her early life, MMA trajectory, fighting style, achievements, personality, memorable quotes, and the lessons one can draw from her career.

Early Life & Background

• Andrade was born in Umuarama, Paraná, Brazil, to farming parents, Julio and Neusa Andrade.

• In her childhood, she and her older brother Fernando worked in the family plantations.

• When the farm was municipalized (ceasing the legality of child labor), she had to find other work. From about age 14 she held jobs such as working in a fish & pay pond and deliveries.

• She also played soccer and futsal, initially aspiring toward that path, but circumstances and opportunity pulled her toward martial arts.

• Andrade began training in Jiu-Jitsu / grappling and entered MMA later — her early years of martial training built the base she would later use in her UFC career.

These roots of labor, discipline, and transition from farm life to the cage frame the resilience that shows in her fighting career.

MMA Career & UFC Journey

Early MMA & UFC Debut

• Andrade made her professional MMA debut on September 6, 2011.

• She began her MMA journey fighting in Brazil, winning 8 of her first 10 fights.

• In April 2013, she competed outside Brazil for the first time, submitting Milana Dudieva at ProFC 47 in Russia.

• Her UFC debut came on July 23, 2013, against Liz Carmouche, stepping in as a replacement. She lost via TKO in the second round.

• In her second UFC fight (October 2013), she faced Rosi Sexton and won by unanimous decision.

Move to Strawweight & Title Run

• In October 2015, Andrade announced her move down to Strawweight (115 lb).

• Her first fight at strawweight was against Jessica Penne on June 4, 2016 (UFC 199), which she won by TKO in the second round.

• She continued upward momentum — in September 2016, she submitted Joanne Calderwood in the first round.

• She continued to secure wins and bonuses, building toward her title shot.

• On May 11, 2019, Andrade fought Rose Namajunas for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship at UFC 237. She knocked Namajunas out via a slam + strikes in the second round, winning the title.

• That win earned her both Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses.

• In her first title defense, she faced Zhang Weili at UFC on ESPN+ 15 (August 2019) and lost via first-round TKO.

• Andrade later faced Namajunas in a rematch at UFC 251 (July 2020) but lost via split decision.

Shift to Flyweight & Multi-Division Success

• After consecutive losses at strawweight, Andrade moved to Flyweight (125 lb). On October 18, 2020, she faced Katlyn Chookagian and won via TKO in round one — becoming the first woman in UFC history to win in three different weight classes (Bantamweight, Strawweight, Flyweight).

• She then challenged Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship at UFC 261 (April 2021) but lost via second-round TKO.

• On September 25, 2021, Andrade defeated Cynthia Calvillo by TKO in the first round.

• In April 2022, she returned to strawweight to fight Amanda Lemos and won via standing arm-triangle choke in round one. This submission was historic — the first standing arm-triangle choke finish in UFC history.

• She later had wins and losses as she alternated weight classes and matched up with top-tier fighters.

Recent Fights & Return to Strawweight

• In 2025, Andrade is set to return to strawweight to face Loopy Godinez at UFC 319 (August 16, 2025).

• Her recent years have included both spectacular wins and tough losses, as she tests her mettle in multiple classes.

As of now, her UFC record stands around 26–15 per official stats.

Her fight-style metrics reflect a very active offense: striking volume, takedown attempts, and average grappling activity.

Fighting Style, Strengths & Challenges

Strengths

• Andrade is powerful and explosive, with the ability to generate fight-ending power even among smaller fighters.

• Her grappling and submission ability is solid; she comes from a BJJ black belt background.

• She is versatile, having competed (and won) across three weight classes — an unusual feat in women’s MMA.

• Andrade’s durability and will to engage help her survive tough moments and make fights entertaining and unpredictable.

Challenges

• Against elite strikers or better-prepared opponents, she has suffered KO / TKO losses.

• Constant weight changes may tax the body and affect consistency.

• At times, her aggressive style can leave openings that elite opponents exploit.

Nevertheless, her career shows that she is not afraid to take risks, reinvent, and fight across divisions.

Personality, Traits & Character

• Andrade is known for her fierce competitiveness and willingness to take challenging fights.

• She has spoken openly about struggles with management, coaching changes, and the demands of maintaining elite performance.

• Her nickname “Bate Estaca” reflects her persona — unafraid, forceful, and dynamic.

• Off the cage, she has made headlines for personal matters: she was married to her longtime partner Fernanda Gomes (the marriage ended around 2023).

• In 2024, she filed a lawsuit against her former coach/manager Gilliard Parana alleging embezzlement.

These episodes show a fighter who also fights for control outside the Octagon — over her own career, finances, and image.

Achievements & Records

Jéssica Andrade has compiled many notable accomplishments:

• UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion (2019)

• She is the only woman in UFC history (as of now) to have won fights in three different weight classes: Bantamweight, Strawweight, and Flyweight.

• She holds multiple Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses (for matchups including Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Rose Namajunas, Amanda Lemos, Mackenzie Dern).

• She made history with the first standing arm-triangle choke submission in UFC history (versus Lemos).

• Andrade also holds records in female UFC history for number of Post-Fight Bonuses and Finishes.

These achievements affirm her as one of the most dynamic and risk-taking female fighters in UFC history.

Famous Quotes

While Andrade is more known for action than oratory, here are quotes reflecting her mindset and determination:

“Every round I go out there, I want to finish. I’m not content with winning by decision.”
(This reflects her aggressive approach — though exact source varies in interviews.)

“I’m a champion, not only inside the Octagon but in life.”
(Expressing that being a competitor is part of her identity.)

“I fight like a Brazilian — full of heart, full of courage.”

“If you want something, take it. Don’t wait for opportunity — go make it.”

Note: These quotes are paraphrased from media interviews and her public statements; exact sources are sometimes not clearly documented.

Lessons from Jéssica Andrade’s Journey

1. Adaptability is power. Her ability to change weight classes and compete at a high level shows flexibility is a competitive edge.

2. Embrace risk. Selecting tough fights and moving divisions comes with potential loss, but it also offers paths for distinction.

3. Identity beyond titles. Even after losing a belt, she reinvents and continues to fight, showing that legacy is about persistence.

4. Fight for control. Both in her career and personal life, she has taken steps to assert her rights and challenge unfairness (e.g. management disputes).

5. Every fight counts. In her performances and record, she has treated each bout as an opportunity to continue imprinting her legacy.

Conclusion

Jéssica Andrade is a standout in women’s MMA — a fighter whose boldness, versatility, and willingness to cross boundaries have made her a compelling figure. From farm fields in Paraná to the global stage of the UFC, her path is one of grit, reinvention, and unrelenting ambition.

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