Jessica Andrade Says She Offered to Step In For Nicco Montaño at UFC 228

Jessica Andrade said in an interview that she volunteered to replace Nicco Montaño against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 228. MMA Fighting reports that Andrade, who was booked against Karolina Kowalkiewicz for the show, said in the post-event press conference that she offered to step in and face Shevchenko after Montaño was forced out due to being hospitalized.

“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, “But I’m happy I was able to help the promotion, help the UFC with a great show and excite people.”

Montaño was stripped of the flyweight title, and Shevchenko will fight for the title in a bout later this year.