Jessica Andrade is a bantamweight fighter currently signed to the UFC. She has finished nine of her eleven wins including five submissions. Her nickname means 'piledriver' in English.
Andrade began her career fighting around Brazil and was able to compile a 9-2 record in her first nineteen months as a professional. She was signed by the UFC in early 2013 and made her debut against Liz Carmouche but would lose by TKO in the second round. This was the first fight in UFC history that featured two openly gay athletes. She next fought Rosi Sexton at UFC Fight Night 30. Although Andrade dominated much of the fight, she was unable to finish her opponent and picked up her first decision victory. She was next set to take on The Ultimate Fighter 18 winner, Julianna Pena, at UFC 171, but Pena suffered a severe knee injury.
Andrade looked to pick up her second straight win against Raquel Pennington at UFC 171 and did so, utilizing a mixed strategy of quick striking and a suffocating ground attack, winning by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).