A rematch between former strawweight champions is on tap for UFC 249.
Less than a year after Jessica Andrade scored a stunning slam knockout of Rose Namajunas to claim the title, the pair will run it back in April.
On Thursday, MMA Junkie confirmed with two people close to the situation that Andrade (20-7 MMA, 11-5 UFC) and Namajunas (8-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) have verbally agreed to a second fight at UFC 249. The people requested anonymity because the UFC has yet to make an official announcement. News of the fight being finalized was first reported by ESPN.com.
UFC 249 takes place April 18 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The main card streams on pay-per-view following prelims likely on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.
Andrade, 28, will attempt to put herself back near the top of the heap at 115 pounds after holding the strap for less than four months. After beating Namajunas at UFC 237 in May, the Brazilian went into enemy territory and was quickly knocked out by Zhang Weili to spell the end of her run as champ.
Many believe Andrade got the title in somewhat lucky fashion, as she delivered a rare knockout against Namajunas, 27, in a fight she was decisively losing prior to the finish. Namajunas hasn’t competed since that brutal finish and openly questioned whether she would continue to compete. She ultimately decided to press forward and will get a shot at vengeance in the rematch.
With the addition, the UFC 249 lineup now includes:
- Champ Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson – for lightweight title
- Jessica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas
- Uriah Hall vs. Ronaldo Souza
