Jéssica Fernanda da Costa Andrade, born on September 25, 1991, is a force to be reckoned with in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known by her formidable nickname “Bate Estaca,” which translates to “Piledriver” in English, Andrade has carved out a reputation as one of the most exciting and durable fighters in women’s mixed martial arts.
A former UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion, the Brazilian powerhouse consistently delivers action-packed performances across multiple weight classes, showcasing her aggressive striking, surprising grappling skills, and unwavering tenacity. As of late April 2025, Andrade continues to compete at the highest level of the sport, with her next highly anticipated bout scheduled for UFC 315.
Early Life and Nickname Origin
Born and raised in Umuarama, Paraná, Brazil, Jéssica Andrade’s journey into combat sports began with judo in school. It was during her high school years that she was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Demonstrating a natural aptitude for grappling, Andrade quickly transitioned into professional mixed martial arts just eight months after her first BJJ class in 2011.
The moniker “Bate Estaca” has an amusing origin story rooted in Andrade’s early days in BJJ competitions. As she recounted, during her very first tournament, finding herself in a bad position and unsure of what to do, her instinctive reaction was to pick her opponent up and slam her to the ground – a maneuver known as a “piledriver.”
This move is illegal in jiu-jitsu, resulting in her disqualification. Her teammates and friends found the incident hilarious, and the nickname “Piledriver” stuck, eventually becoming synonymous with her powerful and often explosive fighting style.
Early MMA Career and Move to the UFC (2011-2013)
Before joining the UFC, Andrade honed her skills in various Brazilian MMA promotions. She quickly established herself as a finisher, showcasing a blend of knockout power and submission prowess. By July 2013, Andrade had amassed a professional record of 9 wins and 2 losses, with the majority of her victories coming by way of stoppage. Her aggressive style and finishing ability caught the attention of the UFC, the premier MMA organization in the world.
UFC Career: Strawweight Ascent and Championship Reign (2013-2019)
Andrade made her UFC debut on July 27, 2013, against Liz Carmouche in a bantamweight bout, losing via TKO. She would compete twice more at bantamweight before the UFC introduced the women’s strawweight division. This move down to 115 pounds proved to be a turning point in her career.
Competing in the strawweight division, Andrade quickly became a top contender, showcasing her relentless pressure and powerful striking. Notable victories over Raquel Pennington, Sarah Moras, and Jessica Penne established her as a force in the division. She earned her first shot at the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship against the dominant Joanna Jędrzejczyk at UFC 211 in May 2017 but lost via unanimous decision in a hard-fought five-round battle.
Undeterred, Andrade continued her winning ways, securing impressive victories over Cláudia Gadelha and Tecia Torres, earning a Performance of the Night bonus for her knockout of Kowalkiewicz. This set up another title opportunity against Rose Namajunas at UFC 237 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in May 2019. In a stunning turn of events, Andrade defeated Namajunas via a brutal second-round knockout slam, capturing the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship and sending the Brazilian crowd into a frenzy. This victory also earned her both the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses.
Title Loss and Flyweight Foray (2019-2021)
Andrade’s reign as strawweight champion was short-lived. In her first title defense at UFC Fight Night 157 in August 2019, she faced Zhang Weili in Shenzhen, China, and lost the title via a first-round TKO.
Seeking new challenges, Andrade moved up to the women’s flyweight division in 2020. Her flyweight debut was a spectacular one, as she knocked out Katlyn Chookagian in the first round at UFC Fight Night 180, earning another Performance of the Night bonus. She then faced Rose Namajunas in a strawweight rematch at UFC 251, losing a close split decision in a bout that earned Fight of the Night honors.
In April 2021, Andrade challenged Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship at UFC 261, losing via second-round TKO.
Return to Strawweight and Recent Performances (2022-Present)
In 2022, Andrade returned to the strawweight division, immediately making an impact with a first-round submission victory over Amanda Lemos at UFC Fight Night 205, earning yet another Performance of the Night bonus. She followed this up with a unanimous decision win over Lauren Murphy at UFC 283 in January 2023.
However, her return to strawweight also saw some setbacks, with submission losses to Erin Blanchfield and Tatiana Suarez, and a knockout loss to Yan Xiaonan. Displaying her characteristic resilience, Andrade bounced back with a TKO victory over Mackenzie Dern in November 2023, earning another Performance of the Night award.
In her most recent outings, Andrade has continued to switch between weight classes. She secured a split decision victory over Marina Rodriguez at UFC 300 in April 2024 in a strawweight bout. She then returned to flyweight to face Natalia Silva at UFC Fight Night 242 in September 2024, losing via unanimous decision in a fight that earned her a Fight of the Night bonus.
Upcoming Fight at UFC 315 (May 10, 2025)
Jéssica Andrade is scheduled to face Jasmine Jasudavicius in a women’s flyweight bout at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This matchup presents another opportunity for Andrade to showcase her skills in the flyweight division and continue her quest for another title run.
FAQs
What is Jessica Andrade’s MMA record and a significant achievement?
Jessica Andrade has a professional MMA record of 26 wins and 13 losses. A major achievement is winning the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship by defeating Rose Namajunas via knockout (slam) at UFC 237.
What is Jessica Andrade’s fighting nickname and style?
Her nickname is “Bate Estaca,” meaning “Piledriver,” earned from an early jiu-jitsu incident. Her style is characterized by relentless pressure, powerful striking, and a fearless, aggressive approach. She also has developing grappling skills, evidenced by her unique submission win over Amanda Lemos.
What is Jessica Andrade’s current ranking in the UFC?
As of February 11, 2025, Jessica Andrade was ranked #14 in the UFC women’s pound-for-pound rankings. She has also held rankings in the strawweight and flyweight divisions, indicating her high skill level across multiple weight classes.
What is Jessica Andrade’s recent fight history and next scheduled fight?
Her recent fights include a split decision win against Marina Rodriguez at UFC 300 (April 2024) and a unanimous decision loss (Fight of the Night) to Natália Silva (September 2024). She is scheduled to fight Jasmine Jasudavicius on May 10, 2025, at UFC 315.
What are some notable highlights of Jessica Andrade’s UFC career?
Highlights include winning the strawweight title with a slam, her knockout victory over Karolina Kowalkiewicz, becoming the first UFC fighter to win via a standing arm-triangle choke against Amanda Lemos (earning Submission of the Year), and earning multiple Fight of the Night bonuses for her exciting performances.
In summary
Jéssica “Bate Estaca” Andrade embodies the spirit of a true warrior in the world of MMA. Her relentless aggression, powerful striking, and surprising grappling have made her a fan favorite and a constant threat in the women’s divisions. Despite experiencing both exhilarating highs, like winning the strawweight title, and tough losses, Andrade’s unwavering determination and willingness to face any challenge have solidified her legacy as one of the most exciting and respected fighters in the UFC. As she prepares for her upcoming fight at UFC 315, fans eagerly anticipate another thrilling performance from the tenacious “Piledriver.”
To read more, Click here
Leave a Reply