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    Report – Jessica Andrade Returns To Strawweight, Draws Amanda Lemos On April 23. UFC Card

    ByRoss Markey

    Jan 24, 2022

    Former undisputed UFC strawweight champion, Jessica Andrade is expected to return to her old stomping grounds for the first time since Jul 2020 – with an-all Brazilian showdown against the #10 ranked contender, Amanda Lemos currently targeted to take place at a UFC Fight Night event on April 23. A location venue or location for the event has yet to be determined by the organization. 

    Improving to 22-9 back in September, Andrade handed Cynthia Cavillo an opening round knockout at UFC 266, courtesy of a barrage of strikes at the Octagon fence late in the first frame. 

    For Lemos, the Belem native is currently in the midst of a five-fight winning run, most recently taking home a close split decision win against common-opposition, Angela Hill at UFC Vegas 45 in December. News of the targeted strawweight tangle was first reported by MMA Fighting reporter, Guilherme Cruz. 

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    Before her victory against Calvillo, Andrade unsuccessfully challenged for undisputed flyweight gold as part of a championship tripleheader at UFC 261 last April.

    Meeting streaking division queen, Valentina Shevchenko, Andrade suffered a rather one-sided second round ground strikes knockout defeat against the Kyrgyzstan native. 

    Beginning her tenure at 125lbs back in October 2020 on ‘Fight Island’, Andrade made light work of former title challenger, Katlyn Chookagian – stopping the Pennslyvania native with a ripping body shot late in the first round. 

    Clinching the undisputed strawweight title back in May on home soil, Andrade defeated two-time foe, current champion, Rose Namajunas with a massive slam KO in the second round, before dropping a July 2020 rematch to the current gold holder.

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    During her run at strawweight, the Parana powerhouse managed to secure wins against the likes of Claudia Gadelha, Tecia Torres, Karolina Kowalkiewicz, Angela Hill, Joanne Calderwood, and Jessica Penne.

    11-1-1 as a professional, Brazilian veteran, Lemos has managed to score an impressive 5-1 promotional record since her transition to the UFC back in July 2017.

    Beyond a knockout loss to promotional alum, Leslie Smith, Lemos has defeated the quintet of Miranda Graner, Mizuki Inoue, Livia Renata Souza, Montserrat Ruiz, and the aforenoted, Hill.

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