Though first reported by the Brazilian website Combate, today the UFC confirmed with the Japanese website eFight that Claudia Gadelha vs Jessica Andrade has been added to UFC Fight Night 117 Sept. 23 at Saitama Super Arena in Japan. This fight will be the co-main event. A broadcast for this show hasn't been announced yet though I expect it to air on UFC Fight Pass. So Claudia Tweeted Jessica that she wanted to fight. After Jessica agreed, it was up to the UFC to put it together. It's interesting that this fight wasn't scheduled for the upcoming Sao Paulo show in October. Timing may have been an issue. So instead it will be in Japan. Claudia looked great in her win over Karolina Kowalkiewicz. It was her first finish in the UFC. After that fight, she said she wanted another fight before getting a title shot. Dominic Cruz claimed on the broadcast that her opponent could be a UFC newcomer. Because he said that, I saw all kinds of goofy names mentioned. But I thought it was a red herring. And it was. Basically, if Claudia can finish Jessica, she's ready for a title shot. Not that I think it will be easy. Though Jessica lost to Joanna Jedrzeczyk, Joanna wasn't able to finish her. Now that Claudia has moved to Albuquerque and training with Chris Luttrell, I think she has stepped her game up big time and she could be a big title threat now. I like Jessica. She's very tough. But she may have to do what Claudia did and move to the US to get high level training. I'm looking forward to this fight.
No comments:
Post a Comment