Jessica Andrade, knowing 'this is my division,' defeats Amanda Lemos in UFC strawweight bout

Welcome back to the strawweight division, Jessica Andrade.

Andrade (23-9) submitted Amanda Lemos (11-2-1) via standing arm-triangle choke just 3:13 into their UFC Fight Night main event on Saturday in Las Vegas. The early finish marked the first standing arm-triangle choke in UFC history.

It was also Andrade's first appearance at 115 pounds since July 2020. The former strawweight champion left the division following a split decision loss to current champ Rose Namajunas. She moved up to 125 pounds and performed very well, compiling a 2-1 record. Her only loss came in a title fight against dominant champion Valentina Shevchenko. Although she was successful at flyweight, Andrade has said strawweight is her ideal weight.

«That's the thing,» said Andrade, through a translator. «I took a little break at flyweight, but this is my division. This is where I will perform the best. I know I'm going to perform for a title again. If I have to climb back up again, that's what I'll do. But if there is a spot to fight for the belt, give it to me.»

Andrade, of Parana, Brazil, will likely need to win at least one more fight before vying for a title again — but she's already back in the conversation.

The 30-year-old veteran is unquestionably one of the best pound-for-pound female fighters on the planet. Lemos went into Saturday's main event on a five-fight win streak, which included three first-round finishes. She held the No. 10 spot in the UFC's official rankings.

None of that mattered against Andrade. Lemos had some early success with leg kicks and the right hand, but once Andrade caught Lemos against the fence and asserted her physicality on her, it was game over. Andrade has fought as high as the 135-pound bantamweight division, and