UFC 315 star Jessica Andrade's first world title victory contained one of the wildest finishes in the UFC history.
The climb from Jessica Andrade to a UFC Championship Belt was dropped off by hitting a UFC fan favorite in the Octagon.
Andrade and then-PUC champion women's champion Rose Namajunas Co-head UFC 237 in Rio de Janeiro. It was Namajunas' second title defense after back-to-back victories over Joanna Jedrzejczyk, because she signaled a new era in the ladies division.
But Andrade had other plans, after three straight victories had driven her to the title shot against Namajunas.
Photo by Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images
Jessica Andrade closed Rose Namajunas in a stunning title win
Despite fighting in his home country, Namajunas earned a lot of cheers from the Rio de Janeiro -Modigte when she started to earn recognition from Vecht fans worldwide. Andrade fought with a large chip on her shoulder in front of the Brazilian audience as she looked to make a championship dream come true.
Andrade and Namajunas had a back and forth first round, because both strokes landed heavy strokes and wild struggling. The matchup would later earn 'Fight of the Night' awards, even though it did not go the full distance of five laps.
In round 2, each nerves was dissipated when she found a rhythm in the clinch. Out of the blue, Andrade Namajunas took off her feet and hit her head first in the canvas and immediately hit her.
It was one of the most shocking knockouts in the UFC history, because Andrade earned a rare SLAM finish. It was a scary moment for Namajunas and her team, but luckily she was able to regain consciousness a little later.
View the Knockout from Andrade on UFC 237 below.
Remember when …
Jéssica Andrade (@JessicamPro) spread Rose Namajunas with a slam to catch the UFC Strawweight title on UFC 237. (May 2019)#ufc300 pic.twitter.com/luht0knnoc
– Curtis Calhoun (@calhounonmma) 10 April 2024
UFC 315 lost a main card bolt only a few days before the event
Andrade will be confronted in Montreal this Saturday with rising flying weight Jasmine Jasudavicius on UFC 315. The former champion wants to come back in the win column in September after a loss for Natalia Silva.
UFC 315 took a big hit only a few days ago when Joel Alvarez withdrew from his main card bolt against Benoit Saint-Denis due to injury. At the moment, Saint-Denis remains without an opponent for this Saturday, despite a top-15 lightweight offer to fight.
UFC 315 still has many fights to look forward to, including two title matchups at the top of the Leisten events. UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad will defend his belt against Jack della Maddalena in the headliner fight, with Ian Machado Garry set up on a backup of the two hunters.