Jessica Andrade Volunteered To Fight Valentina Shevchenko At UFC 228
Jessica Andrade competed in the co-main event of UFC 228, defeating Karolina Kowalkiewicz by first round knockout.
The Brazilian slugger almost got a title opportunity of her own at the event, because Andrade had volunteered to fight Valentina Shevchenko for the vacant UFC Women’s Flyweight Title at the event.
“I even offered to fight for the belt if they agreed to, but since they had already weighed me and done all the work, I wasn’t allowed by the athletic commission,” Andrade said at the UFC 228 post-fight press conference. “But I’m happy I was able to help the promotion, help the UFC with a great show and excite people.”
The reason that Andrade almost got the opportunity was because then women’s flyweight champion Nicco Montano pulled out of the fight the day before the event, which would lead to Montano getting stripped of the title.
Andrade says that no matter whom the opponent is inside of the Octagon, it is her job to put forth the best performance possible.
“I think that’s my job, to go in there and excite everyone who’s watching,” Andrade said. “To give my best and knock people out, and that’s what I did tonight.”
Shevchenko is expected to compete for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Title later this year, which Andrade is a front runner for a shot at the UFC Women’s Strawweight Title.
