Jessica Andrade

Jéssica Fernanda da Costa Andrade (born September 25, 1991) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. She currently competes in the women's Strawweight and Flyweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she is a former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion, and a Flyweight title challenger.

Background Andrade was born on September 25, 1991, in Umuarama, Paraná, Brazil, to farmer parents Julio and Neusa Andrade. She is of Native Brazilian descent through her great-grandmother. Andrade and her older brother Fernando worked at their parents' plantation fields throughout their childhood until the farm was municipalized, leading to the prohibition of underage labor. At the age of 14, she started working at a fish & pay pond and later delivering medicine for a drug store. Andrade grew up playing soccer and futsal, aspiring to become a professional soccer player. She succeeded well and eventually got offered to play for a São Paulo club, but her parents forbade her from moving. During school, Andrade started training judo and shortly afterward, in 2011, jiu-jitsu.

Her teammates coined the nickname bate estaca (piledriver), a term used in Brazil for body slams (also known as Daki age), after one of her first amateur BJJ competitions, when Andrade was caught in an armlock, she panicked and performed the illegal move on her opponent by lifting her and then slamming her head directly into the mat. To Andrade's surprise, she was immediately disqualified.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Andrade made her professional mixed martial arts debut on September 6, 2011. For the first six professional fights, Andrade trained at Gracie Humaita in Umuarama, but after beating Duda Yankovich, she moved to Niterói in order to train at Paraná Vale Tudo.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Andrade made her UFC debut against Liz Carmouche, as a replacement for Miesha Tate, at UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga on July 23, 2013. This marked the first time that two openly gay fighters went head-to-head in the UFC. Andrade lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Andrade's second UFC appearance took place on October 26, 2013, when she faced Rosi Sexton at UFC Fight Night 30. She won the fight via dominant unanimous decision.

Andrade was expected to face TUF 18 women's winner Julianna Peña at UFC 171. However, Peña pulled out of the bout, after suffering an injury to her right knee, and she was replaced by Raquel Pennington. Andrade won the back-and-forth fight via split decision.

As the first bout of her new four-fight contract, Andrade was expected to face Valérie Létourneau on September 13, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 51. However, Létourneau withdrew due to an injury and Andrade instead faced UFC newcomer Larissa Pacheco. She won the fight via submission in the first round.

Andrade faced Marion Reneau on February 22, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 61. Andrade lost the fight as she was quickly submitted via a triangle choke in the first round.

Andrade faced Sarah Moras on July 15, 2015, at UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee. She won the fight by unanimous decision.

Andrade made a quick turnaround, as she replaced an injured Liz Carmouche to take on Raquel Pennington at UFC 191. She lost the fight by submission in the second round.

Move to strawweight In October 2015, Andrade announced her decision to move to the strawweight division. Andrade then faced former title challenger Jessica Penne at her new weight class on June 4, 2016, at UFC 199, winning the one-sided bout via TKO in the second round.

Andrade next faced Joanne Calderwood on September 10, 2016, at UFC 203. She won the fight via submission in the first round.

As the first bout of her new eight-fight contract, Andrade was scheduled to face Maryna Moroz at UFC 207 on 30 December 2016. Nevertheless, Moroz withdrew from the bout citing an injury and Invicta FC Strawweight Champion Angela Hill was briefly linked as a replacement. However, the fight never materialized for that event because of a rule in the UFC's anti-doping policy with USADA. Subsequently, Andrade was removed from that card with the pairing left intact and rescheduled to take place at UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie on February 4, 2017. Andrade won the fight by unanimous decision. In addition, both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.

Title contention and UFC champion Andrade faced Joanna Jędrzejczyk for the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship on May 13, 2017, at UFC 211 in Dallas, Texas. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Andrade faced Cláudia Gadelha at UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami on September 23, 2017. She won the fight via unanimous decision (30–25, 30–26, and 30–27). This fight earned Andrade her second Fight of the Night bonus award.

Andrade faced Tecia Torres on February 24, 2018, at UFC on Fox 28. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Andrade faced Karolina Kowalkiewicz on September 8, 2018, at UFC 228. She won the fight via knockout in the first round. This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.

Andrade faced Rose Namajunas on May 11, 2019, for the UFC Women's Strawweight Championship in the main event at UFC 237. She won the fight via knockout (slam) in the second round. This win earned her the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night award.

In the first defense of her title, Andrade faced Zhang Weili on August 31, 2019, in the main event at UFC on ESPN+ 15. She lost the fight via first-round technical knockout.

Andrade was scheduled to face Rose Namajunas for a rematch on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249. On April 9, 2020, Namajunas pulled out for undisclosed reasons. Instead the bout was rescheduled and eventually took place on July 12, 2020, at UFC 251. Andrade lost the fight via split decision. This fight earned her the Fight of the Night award.

Flyweight On the heels of two consecutive losses at strawweight, Andrade fought Katlyn Chookagian in a flyweight bout on October 18, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie. Andrade defeated Chookagian by technical knockout in the first round to become the first woman in the UFC to win in three different weight divisions (bantamweight, strawweight, and flyweight). This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.

Andrade faced Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Women's Flyweight Championship on April 24, 2021, at UFC 261. She was dominated throughout the bout and lost in the second round via elbows while in the crucifix position.

Andrade faced Cynthia Calvillo on September 25, 2021, at UFC 266. She won the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Andrade faced Amanda Lemos in a Strawweight bout on April 23, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 205. She won the fight via a standing arm-triangle choke in round one, marking the first time this submission has been landed in UFC history. This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.

Andrade, replacing Katlyn Chookagian, was scheduled to face Manon Fiorot on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209. However, Andrade withdrew in mid July due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Fiorot's original opponent Chookagian.

Andrade faced Lauren Murphy on January 21, 2023, at UFC 283. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Andrade faced Erin Blanchfield, replacing Taila Santos on February 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 219. Prior to the bout, Andrade signed a new four-fight contract with the organization. She lost the fight via submission in round two.

Return to strawweight Andrade faced Yan Xiaonan on May 6, 2023, at UFC 288. She lost the fight via knockout in the first round.

Andrande, replacing Virna Jandiroba, faced Tatiana Suarez on August 5, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 226. She lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round.

Andrade faced Mackenzie Dern at UFC 295 on November 11, 2023. She won by TKO and broke the record for most knockdowns landed in a bout by a woman in UFC history. This fight also earned her the Performance of the Night award, which put her in the lead for the most awards by a woman in UFC history with six.

Andrade faced Marina Rodriguez on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300. She won the bout by split decision.

Back to flyweight Andrade faced Natália Silva on September 7, 2024, in a flyweight bout at UFC Fight Night 242. She lost the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned her another Fight of the Night award.

Andrade faced Jasmine Jasudavicius on May 10, 2025, at UFC 315. She lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

Return to Strawweight Andrade faced former LFA Women's Strawweight Champion Loopy Godinez on August 16, 2025, at UFC 319. She lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC Women's Strawweight Championship (One time; former) Most Post-Fight bonuses in UFC Women's Strawweight division history (9) Most wins in UFC Women's history (17) Tied (Angela Hill) for the most bouts in UFC Women's history (30) Third most finishes in UFC Women's history (9) (behind Amanda Nunes & Gillian Robertson) Tied (Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Carla Esparza & Zhang Weili) for fourth most wins in UFC Women's Strawweight division history (10) Tied for third most knockdowns landed in a fight in UFC history (4) Tied (Ailín Pérez) for most takedowns landed in a UFC Women's bout (10) (vs. Tecia Torres) Tied (Carla Esparza) for fifth most bouts in UFC Women's Strawweight division history (15) Most bouts by a woman in a calendar year in UFC history (5 in 2023) Tied for most bouts in a calendar year in UFC history (5 in 2023) Most significant strikes landed in a UFC Women's Flyweight bout (231) vs Lauren Murphy First standing arm-triangle choke finish in UFC History 2022: President's Choice Performance of the Year Nominee & Fan's Choice Submission of the Year Nominee UFC.com Awards 2017: Ranked #8 Fight of the Year 2018: Ranked #7 Knockout of the Year 2019: Ranked #8 Knockout of the Year & Ranked #6 Upset of the Year 2020: Ranked #7 Fight of the Year 2022: Submission of the Year MMA Junkie 2017 #5 Ranked Fight of the Year 2017 September Fight of the Month vs. Cláudia Gadelha 2019 May Fight of the Month vs. Rose Namajunas 2020 July Fight of the Month vs. Rose Namajunas 2022 April Submission of the Month vs. Amanda Lemos LowKick MMA 2022 Submission of the Year Bleacher Report 2022 UFC Submission of the Year CBS Sports 2019 #5 Ranked UFC Knockout of the Year MMA Fighting 2023 Third Team MMA All-Star

Personal life Andrade married her longtime girlfriend Fernanda (née Gomes) in 2019. The couple divorced some time in 2023.

In 2024, Andrade filed a lawsuit in the United States against former coach and manager Gilliard Paranal, who managed her from 2012 to 2024, for embezzlement.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Loopy Godinez Decision (unanimous) UFC 319

Chicago, Illinois, United States Loss

Jasmine Jasudavicius Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 315

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Loss

Natália Silva Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Brady

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Marina Rodriguez Decision (split) UFC 300

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Mackenzie Dern TKO (punches) UFC 295

New York City, New York, United States Loss

Tatiana Suarez Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font

Nashville, Tennessee, United States Loss

Yan Xiaonan KO (punches) UFC 288

Newark, New Jersey, United States Loss

Erin Blanchfield Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Blanchfield

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Lauren Murphy Decision (unanimous) UFC 283

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Amanda Lemos Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Lemos vs. Andrade

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Cynthia Calvillo TKO (punches) UFC 266

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Valentina Shevchenko TKO (elbows) UFC 261

Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Win

Katlyn Chookagian KO (punches to the body) UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates . Loss

Rose Namajunas Decision (split) UFC 251

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Zhang Weili TKO (knees and punches) UFC Fight Night: Andrade vs. Zhang

Shenzhen, China Win

Rose Namajunas KO (slam) UFC 237

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Karolina Kowalkiewicz KO (punch) UFC 228

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Tecia Torres Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Cláudia Gadelha Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami

Saitama, Japan Loss

Joanna Jędrzejczyk Decision (unanimous) UFC 211

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Angela Hill Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Joanne Calderwood Submission (guillotine choke) UFC 203

Cleveland, Ohio, United States Win

Jessica Penne TKO (punches) UFC 199

Inglewood, California, United States Loss

Raquel Pennington Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 191

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Sarah Moras Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Mir vs. Duffee

San Diego, California, United States Loss

Marion Reneau Submission (triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir

Porto Alegre, Brazil Win

Larissa Pacheco Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Arlovski

Brasília, Brazil Win

Raquel Pennington Decision (split) UFC 171

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Rosi Sexton Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Muñoz

Manchester, England Loss

Liz Carmouche TKO (punches and elbows) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga

Seattle, Washington, United States Win

Milana Dudieva Submission (guillotine choke) ProFC 47

Rostov-on-Don, Russia Win

Luciana Pereira Submission (rear-naked choke) Webfight Combat 1

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Loss

Jennifer Maia Decision (unanimous) Samurai FC 9

Curitiba, Brazil Win

Vanessa Silva TKO (punches) Heavy FC 2

Cascavel, Brazil Win

Alessandra Silva Submission (guillotine choke) Strike Combat

Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil Win

Duda Yankovich Submission (guillotine choke) Bitetti Combat 12

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Juliana Silva Submission (guillotine choke) Ring of Fire 4:

Presidente Venceslau, Brazil Win

Lilian Correia KO (punch to the body) Heavy FC 1

Cascavel, Brazil Loss

Kinberly Novaes TKO (punches and knees) Nitrix: Champion Fight 11

Joinville, Brazil Win

Bruna Fernandes TKO (punches) Wako Grand Prix 3

Avaré, Brazil Win

Weidy Borges TKO (punches) Sagaz Combat

Umuarama, Brazil

Pay-per-view bouts