Jessica Andrade’s Comfort Zone

Jessica Andrade believes the 115-pound weight class suits her best, even with the mountain of success she has enjoyed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s flyweight and bantamweight divisions.

“Bate Estaca” will return to strawweight form when she does battle with Xiaonan Yan in a featured UFC 288 attraction on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Still just 31 years of age, Andrade has made her intended long-term target known: a rematch with current strawweight champion Weili Zhang, a woman who ended their first encounter with knees and punches in just 42 seconds three-plus years ago.

“I’m focused on Yan, and I’m looking forward to getting another win,” Andrade told Sherdog.com. “Even though I feel very comfortable fighting at flyweight, strawweight is my true weight class. By winning this fight, I do believe I can get my shot against Weili.”

However, Andrade finds herself on the rebound following a second-round submission loss to surging flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield at UFC Fight Night 219 on Feb. 18. She stepped in as a late-notice replacement for Taila Santos and saw her three-fight winning streak grind to a halt in unceremonious fashion. Even so, Andrade has no regrets.

“I’m verry happy with my career,” she said. “Even if I did accept this last-minute bout, it wasn’t a bad thing for me. I think that the UFC has always done a lot for me, been at my side and helped me when I needed it, so when they needed me, I made myself available. Defeats happen in our careers and lives. I am confident I’ll come back even better. Without a doubt, I’ll redeem myself. I’ll be back to my weight class. I’m sure my career will take off again. Everything is going to work out, and I’ll get a chance to fight for the belt before year’s end.”

Yan serves as a formidable test for anyone at 115 pounds. She has compiled a 7-2 record inside the Octagon—Carla Esparza and Marina Rodriguez were responsible for her only setbacks—and last appeared at UFC Fight Night 211, where she laid claim to a majority decision over Mackenzie Dern in their five-round headliner on Oct. 1.

Andrade spent the majority of her prep time for Yan in Brazil, then closed out her training camp in Las Vegas with Parana Vale Tudo founder Gilliard Alfredo Fagundes. Muay thai specialist Ademir Mori has also become an integral part of her inner circle.

“It’s all going great,” Andrade said. “I’m sure everything will go well in this next fight. I’ll be more confident in my kicks, elbows and knees. I’m adding that to my MMA style. It’s all very cool.”

Despite her stated commitment to strawweight pursuits, Andrade made sure to leave her options open. Money does indeed talk.

“My plan is to remain at 115 pounds for another chance at the belt and keep doing my training camps in Brazil,” she said. “It’s been a decade for me in the UFC. I have a lot of history, and I can make a lot more. I’d like to keep fighting for another nine years or so and have a good retirement. Of course, despite my plans at strawweight, I’m always ready for a one-off fight in any weight class.”