.png)
In the aftermath of UFC 300, former champion Jessica Andrade is making a strong case for her shot at the strawweight title, emphasizing that it's the "natural course of things" following her victory over Marina Rodriguez.
Andrade, known for her aggressive fighting style and impressive record of 26 wins and 12 losses in MMA, secured her second consecutive win at UFC 300 with a split decision triumph over Rodriguez. Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Andrade expressed her belief that she should be next in line to challenge current champion Zhang Weili.
"This is the natural course of things," Andrade stated to MMA Junkie and other reporters. "That’s what Marina said. I think the winner of this fight was the one who should be next for the fight for the title."
Andrade's argument for a title shot stems from the current landscape of the division, with contenders like Tatiana Suarez sidelined due to injury and others already having their opportunities against Weili. This situation, coupled with Andrade's recent performances, makes her a compelling candidate for the championship bout.
"If you think about it, Tatiana (Suarez) is injured. Amanda Lemos, not only myself but also Marina faced her. So I hope to have a shot at the title, and having that shot (at) the end of the year," Andrade explained, outlining her reasoning for the title contention.
While a potential matchup with rising contender Virna Jandiroba is plausible, Andrade prefers to avoid fighting her close friend and instead aims directly for the title showdown.
"Virna and I are really, really, really good friends," Andrade revealed. "I saw her at the (UFC Performance Institute) this week. We were talking about this. Most likely, she’s probably going to face Amanda Lemos next, and I would be fighting for a belt before her."
Andrade's determination to secure a title shot reflects her ambition to reclaim championship glory and solidify her status as one of the top competitors in the strawweight division.