Amanda Nunes or Stake? Former champion reveals who was the first to sign with UFC — Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation

Jiu-Jitsu Federation: Women's MMA is a recent phenomenon within the UFC. The first women's match in the organization's history was played in February 2013, between Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche. But what about among Brazilian women? Who really opened the doors for so many other Tupiniquin athletes to shine in Ultimate later? To answer these questions, it is essential to mention the names of two national pioneers: former champions Amanda Nunes and Jessica ‘Knock-Pile’.

The only woman to win belts in two different categories in the UFC, Amanda Nunes was the first Brazilian to sign and be hired by the entity chaired by Dana White. And the one who revealed this was Jessica Andrade, who for years ended up taking this fame wrongly. But as she explained in an exclusive interview with ‘Direto de Vegas’, Ag Fight's project in podcast format, her achievement, in fact, was to have become the first Brazilian to, in fact, fight in the most famous octagon in the world — as her debut was held months before the ‘Lioness’.

"Not to be signed (I was the first Brazilian). It was Amanda Nunes. Fighting, yes. It was me. There was even a certain discussion about it at the beginning. Amanda was angry when reporters said: ‘Jessica Andrade, the first Brazilian to sign with the UFC, the first to fight’. And the faggot got mad (laughs). Because she had been the first to sign and no one i was talking about her. They went to talk about female MMA in Brazil when I fought, but she had already signed. Then when she fought, she said: ‘I want to make it very clear that I was the first to sign with the UFC and the first to win’. Because in my debut I ended up losing to Liz Carmouche. Then there was no way, the woman threw it in my face (laughs). I said, ‘It's not my fault, I have nothing to do with it (laughs),’”Jessica explained.

Last-minute deal

A the opportunity to join the UFC athlete cadre came as a big and pleasant surprise for Bate-Estaca. Without hesitation, the Paraná native accepted the offer and made her debut in front of veteran Liz Carmouche, in July 2013. Despite being defeated by the American at the time, Jessica Andrade started there one of the most emblematic trajectories of women's MMA in the organization, which, at its peak, culminated in her strawweight title (52 kg) in 2019, and lasts until the days of today.

“At the time, I didn't even know she signed it before I did, either. I just went to the fight. He had just returned from Russia, fighting with Milana Dudieva, who years later also joined the UFC. And he showed up (the opportunity) at the last minute, he had just returned from the fight. Then Tiago Okamura, who was my manager at the time, called Paraná (then coach) and said: ‘Look, there's a fight for Jessica in the UFC, what do you think?’. Then I said: ‘It could even be against the Pope, let's go!’. Then, thank God, everything worked out, it was a ‘co-main event’. My face and that of Liz Carmouche passing by the ‘Empire State’, on the buses. I was like, 'Oh my God, look where I am.’ And thank God I'm in the UFC to this day, ”recalled the Brazilian.

At the age of 34, Jessica Andrade is still active and currently has more than 40 fights in her professional MMA cartel. At the moment, the Brazilian is inactive to treat a shoulder contusion — which, in march of this year, she needed surgical intervention. When he returns to compete in the UFC, Bate-Estaca will have the mission to reverse a recent bad phase in his career and, consequently, try to breathe more relieved in the company. In her last six challenges at Ultimate, the veteran came out victorious in only two opportunities.

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Source: AG Fight — read original