Jessica Andrade Says UFC Wants Her and Calderwood To “Burn the House Down”

Jessica Andrade spoke with MMAjunkie about her fighg with Joanne Calderwood at UFC 203. Some highlights are below:

On Calderwood: “I think Calderwood seems very nice. She seems to be charismatic and nice. I think she’s probably like me – outside of the fight, we show ourselves as completely different people. But when we go in there, it’s about concentration, focus and showing what we’re there for, showing our work. I think that’s why the UFC scheduled this fight – to see us burn the house down and sparks flying in there. They matched up two scary strikers for this duel.”

On how the fight may go: “The fight could go to the ground. I don’t know what will happen. But the strategy, initially, is striking – working on boxing and muay Thai, blocking her, frustrating her game so she’s not able to impose it and maybe get a knockout in the first round. But if a submission comes, it will be great, too. I’ve been training both my ground game and my striking a lot, so it all depends on what happens there. I think sometimes we build a whole strategy and end up changing it after the first punch, so there’s a lot to happen.”

On a possible title shot: “God has blessed my life a lot, and has helped me climb every step, one at a time. After this win, however, I think it will be time for my opportunity to fight for the belt and show a little more of who Jessica Andrade is – always respectful and hungry to make it up there and put on a good fight. I think after this fight I’ll try to ask for a title shot. It might not happen now. We never know what the UFC wants to do. But I know I’ll be well-ranked, and my chance will come. It can be now, or later, but it will be close. It will be very close. And I think the closest I’ve been I’ve been this far.”

On the UFC’s assessment of her: “Thankfully the UFC sees – I was able to show a little bit more about myself. I think I’m being able to showcase my work better, and I think the UFC can see that now. And they’re giving me the opportunity to stay active. This weight descent was very important for my career. I did it very well, I’m very strong and very quick. I’ve been able to impose my boxing. My hands got very quick and the strength remains the same. I think I had some ups and downs at 135, with losses and wins, but I think I found myself. I’m in the right division.”

On her weight cut: “My one concern was not making weight, but thankfully I did it smoothly. I didn’t need to do sauna or the tub, anything of that sort (against Penne). And I arrived very well-prepared. Hopefully, it will be the same with this next one.”