Jessica Andrade Willing to Travel to Hostile Territory for Rose Namajunas Rematch
Jessica Andrade respects Rose Namajunas for going into Brazil to defend the strawweight title, and she’s willing to return the favor if and when the American elects to resume her fighting career.
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Andrade captured the 115-pound belt when she slammed Namajunas on her head, knocking “Thug” Rose unconscious at the 2:58 mark of the second stanza. After the bout, Namajunas sounded more relieved than disappointed. “The Ultimate Fighter 20” veteran even hinted at retirement in a post-fight interview.
Once she clears her head, Andrade said she would grant Namajunas a rematch in her hometown.
"I know she's figuring some stuff out," Andrade said. "But if she wants to do it, I would be happy to go to Denver and do it in her hometown, just the same that she did it for me.”
For now, Andrade sees the next No. 1 contender emerging from the Tatiana Suarez-Nina Ansaroff clash at UFC 238 on June 8. She does admit that she has her eyes on Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who defeated Andrade via unanimous decision in a title bout at UFC 211. However, Andrade says the timing probably isn’t right for a Jedrzejczyk rematch at the moment.
"As much as I would like to have the rematch, I don't think it would be fair at this moment because she is 1-2 at strawweight since we last fought," Andrade said. "There are so many girls putting in so much work and climbing up the ranks that I don't think it would be fair for her to just bypass everybody."
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