Godinez (14-5) had said in the lead up to the fight that she felt more focused, happier and more mature. That new mindset helped her push through to a decision victory over Andrade.

“Even before the fight I knew I was going to win. Just the way I felt the whole week. I was super relaxed, super calm, I was just being myself. When we were warming up I actually told my coach ‘I don’t feel really nervous’,” Godinez told Cageside Press at her post-fight scrum.

“Of course I feel nervous because I want to do good and my body is getting ready to get in the cage. Not like overly nervous. When I was in the cage waiting for her, just the way I was feeling, I was really comfortable.”

Beating a former champion like Andrade may be the step up she needed to get into the title picture. Godinez definitely felt like the biggest win of her career sends a message to the division that she’s ready.

“We’re here, we’re making noise, and whatever the UFC decides who’s next we’re going to be ready,” she said.

“When I’m home and see what my manager and UFC wants me to do and we will be ready. There is that card (Noche UFC), there is Vancouver card which is more realistic in October. See what’s out there for me.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Loopy Godinez above.

The post Loopy Godinez Feels She Sent Message To Division She’s Title Shot Ready appeared first on Cageside Press.

Andrade had fallen to Canada’s Jasmine Jasudavicius at UFC 315 in May, he second consecutive defeat, one that dropped her recent record to 2-5. Godinez had picked up a win over Julia Polastri in March to snap her own two-fight skid.

The fight saw Jessica Andrade returning to 115lbs for the first time since UFC 300.

Early in the fight, Andrade was happy to walk Loopy down, and ate several strikes for her efforts. The sheer disrespect for Godinez’s power was a gamble; Godinez, meanwhile, mixed in leg kicks and got her jab going. The round played out on the feet, both women having their moments.

In the second, the fight went to the ground, Loopy getting some time on top, Andrade forcing her was back to her feet. Back in the standup, Loopy fired her left hand, more than once, and was having success with it. As the frame wore on, Andrade found a home for her right, backing Godinez up. Andrade went to the body, and landed a low kick of her own. Despite it being an area where she’d likely have the edge again, Godinez appeared to have pushed off thoughts of a takedown until the final 30 seconds. Then, she shot in, explosively, but Andrade was able to fight it off and stay standing, back against the fence.

Andrade opened round three winging hooks from her hips, left and right, then stuffed another takedown attempt. As she had throughout the fight, Andrade continued to walk Godinez down. No successful takedowns in the fifth round, just a scrappy standup battle with both women landing. Godinez in the final minute trailed a combination with a knee that appeared to connect. The pair traded right to the horn when Godinez landed a takedown that likely wouldn’t count, coming as late as it did.

The judges scored it for Loopy Godinez after three rounds, in what was an action-packed, close scrap.

Official Result: Loopy Godinez def. Jessica Andrade by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

The post UFC 319: Loopy Godinez Comes Out Ahead of Jessica Andrade In Action-Packed Affair appeared first on Cageside Press.

The televised preliminary card fight featured St. Catharines, Ontario’s Jasudavicius on a four-fight win streak, and coming off a victory over former flyweight title challenger Mayra Bueno Silva earlier this year. She was facing off with Andrade, the ex-strawweight champ, who was coming in off a loss to Natalia Silva.

ROUND 1: Andrade came out with her patented forward-pressure and attacked Jasmine’s long stance with leg kicks. Jasudavicius used her reach advantage and kept Andrade at the end of her punches. After connecting on a couple shots, the Canadian shot a takedown and slammed the former champion down. She quickly transitioned to the back, flattened Andrade and tapped her with the rear-naked choke.

This was by far Jasudavicius’ best performance to date. A first-round finish in front of her home crowd against the biggest name she has faced yet. A truly flawless victory by the Canadian fighter. At 36 years old, it’s now or never for her, and she’s on the best run of her career. Though she didn’t have a name to callout, this win will push her further up the top10 and inch her closer to a title shot.

Official Result: Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Jessica Andrade by submission (rear-naked choke) (Round 1, 2:40)

The post Jasmine Jasudavicius Chokes Andrade Out For Biggest Career Win appeared first on Cageside Press.

It also caught Brazil’s “Bate Estaca” herself by surprise as well, she admitted during Wednesday’s UFC 315 media day, addressing media outlets including Cageside Press.

Ahead of her 29th fight under the UFC banner, Andrade (26-13) explained that while “I really feel good at flyweight, it feels good on my body,” and that she likes fighting at 125lbs, “I really want to go back to 115.”

That would have happened this time out, were it not for the name UFC matchmakers offered: Fellow Brazilian and strawweight contender Virna Jandiroba. “The bigger thing is, they offered me Virna. And I have a bit of a deal with Virna, that we’re only going to fight each other— we’re friends, but we’re [only] going to be fighting each other if it’s for a title or for the chance to go for a title. So I said no, not this time, we’re not going to fight.”

After turning down the Jandiroba offer, the UFC came back with Jasmine’s name. Jasudavicius sits on a four-fight win streak, with two finishes, and three of those wins coincidentally coming against Brazilians.

Jessica Andrade doesn’t know why the UFC put her together with Jasmine Jasudavicius, “but maybe because I’m a challenge, and I offer a good skill-set,” she told Cageside Press.

Still, as good as flyweight has been to her physically, she intends to head back to strawweight at some point. “I want to go back 115 eventually, but this is a good opportunity. I really feel good, my body is good on 125 but I would like to fight at 115— but I will only fight Virna if it’s for a title.”

Watch Jessica Andrade’s full UFC 315 media day appearance above.

The post UFC 315: Jessica Andrade Declined Jandiroba Fight, Was Surprised by Jasudavicius Pairing appeared first on Cageside Press.

Gilbert Burns

At 38-years old, Gilbert Burns is on the tail end of his career. That’s just the reality of it. After challenging for welterweight gold in 2021, Burns is 3-4 in the promotion. That’s not dreadful, but three of those four losses have come about consecutively across his last three fights.

Burns is unlikely to ever get another crack at gold, and the UFC being the UFC, will likely now be booked against a number of younger stars, much like Brady. If they do go that route, it wouldn’t be surprising to see someone like Michael Morales booked against Burns. Unfortunate, but not surprising. That said, the man Morales just beat, Neil Magny, is the preferable option here. He remains ranked, at #15, and has been trading wins and losses the past few years. He’s 37. He did lose to Burns in January 2023, but if you book this, say, four months on down the line, that’s two years between fights, and not the worst rematch. Preferable to feeding the old(er) to the young.

Burns’ next fight: Neil Magny rematch

Jessica Andrade

Former women’s strawweight champ Jessica Andrade is far from old, but she’s got a lot of mileage on her these days, and a lot of outside distractions. Ahead of UFC Vegas 97, word broke that she was suing a former coach for embezzling millions of dollars. Previously, she tried her hand at OnlyFans, only to see explicit photos leak to the public.

Despite having two straight wins at strawweight, Andrade returned to flyweight at UFC Vegas 97, only to lose a decision to Natalia Silva. In all honesty, if she can handle the weight cut still, the move is still strawweight. And if you kind of discount the loss at 125lbs, she’s still a player there, and has yet to face another fellow Brazilian in Amanda Ribas. Coincidentally, Ribas also just dropped a fight at flyweight, to Rose Namajunas, but before that had a win at strawweight. Book these two, 115lbs, and maybe have them stick with strawweight for the time being.

Andrade’s next fight: Amanda Ribas 

Kyle Nelson

What an unfortunate turn of events for Kyle “The Monster” Nelson. Sitting on a solid win streak, the unranked featherweight had been granted a shot against a big name in Calvin Kattar, only for Kattar to drop out of UFC Vegas 97. Steve Garcia stepped in, Nelson missed weight, and to add insult to injury, Garcia picked up the TKO victory.

Now, there’s an argument to be made that Garcia deserves the Kattar fight. As for Nelson, he’ll have to lower his aim a fair bit. Jamall Emmers could fit the bill; he’s coming off a loss to Nate Landwehr, and has been trading wins and losses of late.

Nelson’s next fight: Jamall Emmers

Matt Schnell

Fare thee well Matt “Danger” Schnell. The flyweight left his gloves in the octagon following a third consecutive loss at UFC Vegas 97, in this case to Cody Durden. We all know what that means.

Schnell’s next fight: retirement

Trevor Peek

A 2022 Contender Series winner, lightweight Trevor Peek fell to 2-3 under the UFC banner this past Saturday, taken to a decision by Yanal Ashmouz. He’s now lost two straight and three of his last four, and this early in his career with the 2024 Contender Series underway, that could be a death sentence (or more accurately a pink slip).

Should the UFC keep Peek around for another shot, an incoming Contender Series fighter wouldn’t be a bad call. Peek’s fought three to four times a year the past few years, so one more towards the end of 2024 isn’t a bad idea, against an early DWCS Season 8 winner looking to make a quick debut.

Peek’s next fight: 2024 DWCS winner

The post What’s Next: UFC Vegas 97 Losers appeared first on Cageside Press.

With six finishes on Saturday’s card, there was plenty of potential in terms of post-fight bonuses, which in the end went to Cody Durden, Steve Garcia, and the night’s co-main event between the aforementioned Andrade and Natalia Silva. For Durden, the extra 50K came after he caught Matt Schnell in a ninja choke in the second round of their main-card flyweight affair. All of Saturday’s bonuses, in fact, came from the main card, as Garcia, stepping in to replace Calvin Kattar, managed to put away Canadian Kyle “The Monster” Nelson via TKO in the first round.

Silva and Andrade went the distance, meanwhile, with Silva taking a unanimous decision win care of 30-27 scores from all three judges. The victory was the sixth straight for the Brazilian under the UFC banner, and twelfth consecutive win overall.

The fight, contested at flyweight, marked Andrade’s return to the weight class, where Natalia Silva had been ranked #8. Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko will face off with Grasso’s 125lb title on the line next weekend at UFC 306 (marketed as Riyadh Season Noche UFC), which should produce a path forward for the division’s other contenders.

All four bonus winning fighters at UFC Vegas 97 will pocket an additional $50,000 for their efforts on top of purse, outfitting pay, and so forth.

The post UFC Vegas 97 Bonuses Go to Durden, Garcia, Co-Main Event appeared first on Cageside Press.

Andrade (26-12) came into the fight with a massive UFC experience advantage and a title reign under her belt back in her strawweight days. With a two-fight win streak stemming off impressive victories over Mackenzie Dern and Marina Rodriguez she looked to add a rising star to her resume.

Silva (17-5-1) has not lost a fight since 2017 and took on Andrade riding an impressive 5-fight win streak. Victories over Jasmine Jasudavicius, Tereza Bleda, Victoria Leonardo, Andrea Lee and Viviane Araujo set up a date with the hard-hitting Andrade.

Round 1: Silva came out fast landing leg kicks and a clean left hand. She moves lateral quite a bit but Andrade did a great job of cutting the cage off. Still she waited a long time to throw anything. Andrade finally attacked and Silva smothered her shots and moved away.

Silva may have been landing more strikes, but Andrade was trying to leave dents every time she landed. A strong side kick from Silva forced Andrade back in the middle of a barrage of hands from the former champion. Andrade stayed with it and landed an impressive superman punch to end the round.

Round 2: Silva came out firing kicks to the calf and then up top. Andrade is not moving back however. She’ll eat shots to land a nuclear punch. Every time Andrade got close to land however Silva would clinch and land knees up the middle.

Andrade attacked the body, but then ate a big shot from Silva that rocked her. It was Silva then putting some pressure on until Andrade recovered.

Round 3: Andrade should have come out with more urgency, but Silva stayed on her game. A quick wardrobe malfunction on Silva’s part stopped the action momentarily, but then got back to landing heavy shots on Andrade. Andrade, no longer being able to cut the cage off, chased Silva around the cage.

Silva started to style on Andrade landing all kinds of kicks with shades of some Michelle Waterson-type jab kicks. The rest of the round was a Silva clinic and the fight ended with the two embracing as the seconds ticked away.

Result: Natalia Silva def. Jessica Andrade via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)

The post Natalia Silva Serves Up A Clinic To Score 6th Straight UFC Win appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I was in a prison before. I feel that there is levity right now,” Andrade told reporters through a translator on Wednesday.

“I feel like a weight was lifted off my back.”

Andrade (26-12) recently revealed that a former coach, who was also her manager, allegedly embezzled $2 million from her. She has sued to try and get the money back, but the suit is still ongoing.

The matchup with Silva is a welcome distraction for Andrade who used the time in training camp to be around people that cared about her. With camp behind her now she sets her sights on Silva.

“I think this is great matchmaking. Our styles of fighting are pretty good. When the name came up we thought about a main event in August. As it turns out it gave enough time for both of us,” she said.

“For both of us would have been (a) hard weight cut. My walking weight, I needed extra weeks to get that out. I’ve seen her since she’s come to the UFC. I followed her. I’ve cheered her on ever since she’s come here. I think it’s going to be a good fight for everybody.”

UFC hall of famer Joanna Jedrzejczyk recently told Cageside Press that’d she be down to fight for a BMF belt. Andrade said she’d be more than happy to be her dance partner in a potential women’s BMF title fight.

“I think, if that fight happened, it would be amazing. Would love the opportunity. I think, first of all, there are hard asses fighting in this game. They’re not just all male,” she said.

“There are many female badasses out there. There should be a BMF. It’s a new opportunity that we’re opening up for MMA.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Jessica Andrade above. She takes on Natalia Silva at UFC Vegas 97. 

The post Jessica Andrade Wants BMF Fight With Joanna, Talks Difficult Time appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I had a hard moment in my life. I lost my sister recently four months ago,” Silva told reporters on Wednesday.

“I like to fight again before, but I (couldn’t).”

Silva (17-5-1) leaned on her faith at one of the toughest moments of her life in order to get through the grieving process and into fight mode.

“Jesus helped me. I asked Jesus, ‘Jesus help me please I need to do this. I am feeling bad.’ I know you can help me and train to. Help me overcome this. I’m still feeling (it),” she said.

“But I am here to fight. Jesus helped me and Jesus is my strength.”

Her opponent is no pushover as she faces former UFC champion Andrade at the UFC APEX.

“I think this is my opportunity. I can do this. Jessica is a good name in UFC and I need(ed) to accept this opportunity and show my skills. Now I am here to fight against Jessica,” said Silva.

With a win over a former champion come more opportunities to move up

“(A) victory against Jessica will give me a new opportunity. I know I can fight for the belt, and that one victory against Jessica will give me (an) opportunity for this,” she said.

“This is an opportunity for me for a higher goal which is to be champion.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Natalia Silva above. She takes on Jessica Andrade at UFC Vegas 97.

The post Natalia Silva Reveals Sister’s Death As Reason For Layoff appeared first on Cageside Press.

The shocking allegations were first reported by MMA Fighting, with Andrade telling the site that a lawsuit was ongoing over money transfers utilizing TransferWise (now known as simply Wise).

“We have a lawsuit going about TransferWise and the money that was transferred to other people I’ve never seen in my life,” Andrade told MMA Fighting. “That happened when he was taking care of my finances, and I had no access to anything. At one point he said, ‘Jessica, look, let me handle this for you, you don’t have to worry about any of this.’ And as always, I trusted him. He removed my access to the account. He said, ‘You don’t need to look at your accounts, you’ll have a monthly salary.’ I was making good money in the beginning, but in the end I don’t know how [that money ran out].”

Parana, who retired as a coach and manager earlier this year, allegedly told Andrade that the missing money was a result of her spending too much money shopping on online retailer Amazon. The fighter contests that.

“I made $2 million and spent $10,000 on Amazon. Where did the rest of the money go? It makes no sense, and it’s being investigated now, and we’ll find out where every penny went,” stated Andrade, who faces Natalia Silva this weekend. Now living in Las Vegas, Andrade also pointed out that jurisdiction could become a factor in the case.

“The lawsuit is moving in the United States and he’s in Brazil, so I don’t know how it’s going to work. He was quite smart, he left before things happened.”

Jessica Andrade’s allegations, including that she was locked out of her bank account by Parana, were disputed by the coach. Parana responded to news of the lawsuit with a lengthy statement to MMA Fighting, which reads in part “It was never like the way she’s insinuating, that I stole a single cent from her, much less the amount she’s talking about, which is completely baseless.”

“Anyone who has a brain and knows how to do math will see that she really doesn’t spend her money on just a few purchases on Amazon. She has a lot of expenses, and there are so many that she even gets lost in the calculations. Jessica is not incapable. Jessica is not a 15-year-old girl. And Jessica is not illiterate. Jessica was never forbidden from going to the bank, from calling the bank and from finding out how her accounts were. Jessica always had full access to her things and was always intelligent enough to know everything that happened in her financial life.”

Andrade (26-12), who sits on a two-fight win streak at present, reigned as women’s strawweight champion in the UFC in 2019, defeating Rose Namajunas to win the title before immediately losing it to Weili Zhang. “Bate Estaca” later challenged Valentina Shevchenko in an unsuccessful bid for flyweight gold in 2021.

Also in 2021, Andrade turned heads by admitting she had sold nude photos via explicit content site Only Fans, which helped pay for her house and car. She later stated that she hated her experience with the site; eventually, nude photos of the former champ had leaked to the general public.

As she noted in her new statements to MMA Fighting, it now seems she’ll have to fight a little longer just to make up for the allegedly embezzled funds.

The post Jessica Andrade Alleges Ex-Coach Stole Millions, Launches Lawsuit appeared first on Cageside Press.