Jessica Andrade to Fight Rose Namajunas in High-Profile UFC Rematch

Jessica Andrade is readying for a rematch…

The UFC is thisclose to a deal for a high-profile rematch between the 28-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist and fellow  former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas, according to ESPN.

Jessica Andrade

Contracts haven’t been signed yet, but both sides have reportedly agreed to meet on July 11 at a location to be determined. 

The location could be the mysterious “Fight Island,” which UFC president Dana White has claimed will be operational by late June.

Namajunas (8-4) was the champion when she first fought Andrade (20-7) in Brazil in May 2019. Namajunas appeared to be winning the bout until Andrade picked her up and slammed her midway through the second round for a knockout victory.

Andrade went on to surrender the title to current champion Zhang Weili in her first attempted defense three months later.

The UFC originally booked this rematch for UFC 249 on April 18 in Brooklyn, but that event was ultimately postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The promotion tried to keep it intact for May 2, but Namajunas was forced to withdraw due to personal reasons.

The winner of the 115-pound contest would have a strong case for another title shot against Zhang, who recently told ESPN she’d like to face Namajunas in her next bout.

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