Rio de Janeiro – Fighting at home on the first UFC event in Brazil in years has UFC flyweight Jessica Andrade ready to go against Lauren Murphy at UFC 283 on Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro.
“I’m really happy to be fighting here. My last fight was against Rose (Namajunas) that ended the way that it ended, but it’s really good being here around the people that I love and feeling their energy,” Andrade told reporters through a translator on Wednesday.
This time she faces Murphy (16-5) who is coming off a decision victory over MMA legend Miesha Tate in July 2022.
“She’s a really tough athlete. She’s very resistant with the blows. She’s got good grappling, good Jiu Jitsu, but you know I got Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and she’s going to be here and we’re going to use it,” she said.
Andrade (23-9) is riding a two-fight win streak with finished over Cynthia Calvillo and Amanda Lemos respectively that may put her over the hump for a title shot at 125-pounds should she defeat Murphy at UFC 283.
“For sure. I want to go back to my division, of course there’s Valentina (Shevchenko), but I really want another chance to fight Weili Zhang. I think with a victory on Saturday that can happen,” Andrade said.
Murphy has said she brought in sparring partners that she said can mimic Andrade’s style.
“I don’t think they can mimic. You know there’s some people that might try, but there’s only one Jessica Andrade and that’s me,” she said.
“The reality is going to be in the octagon. A lot of people say that I’m strong, but they don’t really notice and they don’t really know that until they get in there with me.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Jessica Andrade above. Andrade faces Lauren Murphy at UFC 283 on Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro.
