Jessica Andrade not ruling out returns to strawweight or bantamweight after UFC 266

LAS VEGAS – Jessica Andrade is willing to compete in whichever weight division presents the best opportunity.

Andrade (21-9 MMA, 12-7 UFC), the first woman in UFC history to score a win in three weight classes, is a former strawweight champion and has already challenged for the flyweight title just two fights into her new divisional home.

She meets Cynthia Calvillo (9-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 266 main card opener, but the Brazilian is open to either moving back down or up a weight class in the future.

“It was the opportunity – Cynthia called me out and it worked out,” Andrade told MMA Junkie at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “But I’m still considering fighting at strawweight at 115 (pounds), and even if the UFC wants me to fight at 135, I’m ready to.

“I’m ready to make a statement. This Saturday is not going to be different. I want people to talk about me the next day, and I’m sure they will talk about me.”

Two of Andrade’s former foes, reigning strawweight champion Rose Namajunas and Zhang Weili, are set to rematch at UFC 268 in November and Andrade is happy to face the winner if the UFC grants her that opportunity.

“I’d fought both, but Weili was very quick (when she lost to Namajunas),” Andrade said. “I think this time the fight is not going to be that quick. I think it’s going to be a five-round fight and maybe Rose is going to win by points. Maybe the UFC will give me the chance to fight Rose again or Weili, whoever wins the fight. A third fight against Rose or Weili.”

UFC 266 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. The main card streams on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN News/ESPN+.

To see the full interview with Andrade, check out the video above.