Andrade Vs. Silva Betting Odds, Prediction

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Flyweight sluggers Jessica Andrade and Natalia Silva will go to war this weekend (Sat., Sept. 7, 2024) at UFC Vegas 97 inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Andrade has rebounded nicely from a rough 2023, winning her last two bouts opposite quality competition. Now that the former champion has a bit of 115-pound momentum, she’s — once again! — going to risk it all by jumping up 10 pounds and facing off with a top-notch Flyweight prospect.

Cash rules.

Silva has been highly impressive in her two years on the UFC roster. Undefeated in five trips to the Octagon, the 27-year-old Brazilian has picked apart all of her opponents and shown impressive athleticism. She looks like a future contender, and she’ll get a chance to prove her time is now in this match up.

Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:

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Andrade vs. Silva Betting Odds

• Jessica Andrade victory: +240
• Jessica Andrade via TKO/KO/DQ: TBD
• Jessica Andrade via submission: TBD
• Jessica Andrade via decision: TBD
• Natalia Silva victory: -298
• Natalia Silva via TKO/KO/DQ: TBD
• Natalia Silva via submission: TBD
• Natalia Silva via decision: TBD
• Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

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How Andrade Wins

Andrade is a powerhouse. She’s more physically dominant at Strawweight, but she’s still a powerful hitter and big takedown threat at 125-pounds. Aside from raw power and huge slams, Andrade is known for putting together body-head combinations of hooks.

Closing the distance is going to be a huge key here. Silva’s kickboxing at times leans more towards enthusiastic than technical, but she is still often able to keep opponents away by spamming them with a variety of kicks. Given Andrade’s height and reach disadvantages, closing into the pocket will be very important.

It’s a common situation for the former champion.

Andrade does her best work at closing range when she doesn’t headhunt. Her low kicks are a great weapon, as they can disrupt her opponent’s stance, leaving them stationary for follow-up punches. Body-head combinations are more likely to catch Silva circling with her chin high as well.

Generally, Andrade has to answer every kick. Whether she blocks, evades, or absorbs a Silva kick, “Bate Estaca” has to swarm forward with her own offense afterward rather than hang back.

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How Silva Wins

Silva has a Taekwondo background, and it shows in the cage! Strong and fast, Silva stabs at her opponent with lots of powerful kicks. When pressed, she’ll stand her ground and fire hard counter punches before returning to her bike and punishing kicking game. It’s an exhausting style, but Silva has the athleticism to pull it off.

We’ve seen Andrade cracked on the counter many times as she tries to come forward. Notably, Yan Xiaonan knocked her cold just last year with a plant right hand. Joanna Jedrzejczyk landed about 100 plant counters in her 25-minute domination of Andrade. Silva has the power to make that shot hurt as well as the style to land it often.

It starts with the jab, kicks, and movement. If Silva keeps her feet moving and offense flowing, she’ll force aggressive charges from the Brazilian. Silva can take her time, get a sense of Andrade’s timing, then plant her feet and try to make Andrade pay for her reckless nature.

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Andrade Vs. Silva Prediction

Jessica Andrade’s career management is tragic.

On one hand, I get it: divorce and alleged embezzlement are expensive. Being a UFC fighter isn’t THAT profitable even for former champions. Andrade takes on any fight the UFC offers because she signed a lucrative contract relatively recently and wants to cash in on all those fights.

Alas, it’s very bad strategy for earning another title shot. All of Andrade’s style relies on her physicality advantage, which just isn’t as prominent at Flyweight. Silva in particular can probably match her speed and strength, which means Andrade is facing a range disadvantage without the skill to compensate.

Andrade is a gamer and could always pull it off via sudden KO or submission, but it sure feels like Silva picks her apart and ruins her Strawweight win streak.

Prediction: Natalia Silva via decision (odds not yet released)