Jessica Andrade will test her luck against former UFC women’s strawweight title challenger Karolina Kowalkiewicz later this evening (Sat., Sept. 8, 2018) at UFC 228 live on pay-per-view (PPV) from inside American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
It’s a crucial fight for Andrade, who is coming off back-to-back victories over Tecia Torres and Claudia Gadelha. The Brazilian’s recent success after losing to Joanna Jedrzejczyk back at UFC 211 could have been enough to lock down another title shot against current champion Rose Namajunas, but Andrade simply couldn’t wait for “Thug.”
Instead, Andrade is opting to risk her divisional standing and take on a fighter who has fought incredibly well against the very best at 115 pounds.
“I couldn’t stay out for that long,” Andrade told MMA Fighting. “Even if I win the belt and bring it home, I want to stay active. I’m not that type of fighter that fights one or two times a year. Staying out makes you lose focus, lose rhythm. I have to fight.
“They said (Namajunas) wouldn’t come back before October, and I said ‘no, get me a fight sooner because I need money,’ and they got me this fight with Karolina. I know I’m ready and everything will be alright.”
Considering Andrade recently revealed that she had to sell her own UFC gear to pay the bills it makes sense that she would take this fight at UFC 228. Bringing in another paycheck is extremely important for the 26-year-old Brazilian, even if she’s risking everything.
“We end up fighting because we need it,” said Andrade. “We only get paid when we fight, unfortunately, so they pretty much force us to fight sooner instead of going for the belt. In my case, it’s tough for me financially, and also for my master, so that’s why I was asking for a fight for so long.
“When we have to wait for the titleholder’s willingness to defend, I said ‘you know what, I’ll fight again.’ I know I’m ready and I will win this fight. It will prove I’m ready. It’s my job and I have to fight.”
As for the fight itself, Andrade is confident that she can find some openings on the feet. She may possess an advantage on the ground with strong wrestling and a heavy top game, but the Brazilian is dead set on finishing Kowalkiewicz via knockout.
“God willing — and I know he wants — I think I can end this fight in the second round with a knockout,” Andrade said. “I’ll go for the knockout all the time. I won’t go for takedowns even if the Pope gets there and asks me to do it [laughs].”