Jéssica Andrade

Jéssica Andrade is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who fights in the strawweight and flyweight divisions of the UFC. Born September 25, 1991, she has spent over a decade at the top of women's MMA, known for her explosive power and forward pressure. She held the UFC strawweight title in 2019 and has faced nearly every big name in her weight classes.

Fans know her as "Bate Estaca," a nickname that translates to "pile driver," reflecting her ground-and-pound style. She has fought 30 times inside the Octagon, a remarkable number that speaks to her durability and willingness to take on anyone. Even as she works her way back from injury, she remains one of the most recognizable Brazilian fighters in the sport. [edit]

Jéssica Andrade grew up in Umuarama, a city in southern Brazil, where she started training in jiu-jitsu as a teenager. Her early life was far from easy, and she often helped her family by working odd jobs. She earned her black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu before she ever stepped into professional MMA.

Andrade made her professional debut in 2011 at just 19 years old, fighting in regional Brazilian promotions. She quickly built a reputation for finishing fights, winning her first six bouts by knockout or submission. That early success caught the attention of the UFC, which signed her in 2013 after she impressed in a stint on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.

Before joining the UFC roster, she also competed in a few fights outside Brazil, including a stint in the all-female promotion Invicta FC. Her transition to the UFC wasn't instant stardom, but her relentless style and willingness to move up in weight made her a natural fit for the organization's growing women's divisions. [edit]

Jéssica Andrade made her UFC debut in July 2013, stepping in on short notice against Liz Carmouche in the bantamweight division. She lost that fight, but it didn't derail her. Over the next few years, she bounced between bantamweight and strawweight, earning wins over the likes of Jessica Penne and Angela Hill.

Her breakout came in 2017 when she moved down to strawweight permanently. She rattled off four straight wins, including a brutal knockout of former champion Carla Esparza. That set up a title shot against Rose Namajunas in May 2019. Andrade won the fight with a devastating slam, becoming the UFC women's strawweight champion. The finish went viral and is still one of the most talked-about moments in women's MMA history.

She lost the belt in her first defense to Weili Zhang later that year, but she kept fighting at the highest level. She moved up to flyweight and challenged Valentina Shevchenko for the title in 2020, losing a competitive decision. Since then, she's remained a top contender in both divisions, racking up wins over Marina Rodriguez, Amanda Lemos, and others. As of 2026, she is ranked in the flyweight top 20 and is working her way back after shoulder surgery. [edit]

Jéssica Andrade is known for her aggressive, pressure-heavy fighting style that fans love to watch. She's never in a boring fight, and that reputation has made her a fan favorite across the MMA community. Her nickname "Bate Estaca" captures her approach perfectly, and she wears it with pride.

Outside the Octagon, she presents herself as down-to-earth and hardworking. Her decision to work as a delivery driver while injured resonated with fans, who saw it as a testament to her character. She's often described as humble and approachable, and she interacts warmly with fans on social media.

Her Instagram, @jessicammapro, gives followers a mix of training clips, fight highlights, and glimpses into her daily life. She's not flashy, but she's authentic, and that authenticity is a big reason why she has such a loyal following. [edit]

Jéssica Andrade's reputation rests on a foundation of raw grit rather than polished celebrity, drawing a loyal following from hardcore combat sports enthusiasts and Brazilian fans who revere her "Bate Estaca" moniker. Her audience connects deeply with the narrative of a fighter who returned to food delivery work while injured, viewing her labor not as a setback but as an extension of her fighting spirit. This specific brand of authenticity has cultivated a fanbase that values resilience over spectacle, celebrating her victories in Brazil and her ability to dominate elite competition without relying on traditional marketing machinery. While she maintains a direct line to supporters through social media, there is no organized global fandom name or dedicated campaign infrastructure like subway ads; instead, her legacy lives in the retold stories of her championship runs and the viral moments that define her character. The iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated Jéssica Andrade, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list).[edit]

Jéssica Andrade earned the nickname "Bate Estaca" from her Brazilian jiu-jitsu background, where her ground-and-pound technique was legendary. She holds a black belt in BJJ and leverages that grappling base to control opponents throughout her career. A rare feat for any competitor, she has fought in three different UFC weight classes: bantamweight, strawweight, and flyweight. Her slam knockout of Rose Namajunas in 2019 secured her the Knockout of the Year award from major outlets, shocking the MMA world and cementing her highlight reel status. Fans often recount her victory over Carla Esparza at UFC 237 as the moment a fighter from humble beginnings became a national hero in Brazil. Another enduring story involves her recent return to the streets as a delivery driver during an injury layoff, a move that resonated globally as proof of her refusal to rely on fame. When not in the Octagon, she enjoys cooking Brazilian recipes and spending time with her dogs.[edit]

Jéssica Andrade grew up in a working-class family in Umuarama, Brazil. Her parents worked hard to provide for her and her siblings, and she has spoken about how those early struggles shaped her work ethic. She is close with her mother, who has been a constant presence in her corner during fights.

She has two sisters, and the family remains tight-knit. Andrade often credits her family's support for her success in MMA. Outside of fighting, she lives in Brazil and keeps her personal life relatively private, though she occasionally shares moments with her family on Instagram.

She doesn't have children of her own, but she's a doting aunt to her sisters' kids. Her pets are a big part of her life, and she regularly posts pictures of her dogs, who seem to be her constant companions during training camps. [edit]

Jéssica Andrade is part of a generation of Brazilian fighters who helped build women's MMA in the UFC. She has shared the Octagon with many of the sport's biggest names, including Rose Namajunas, Weili Zhang, and Valentina Shevchenko. Her rivalry with Namajunas produced one of the most memorable finishes in UFC history. She's also trained with other Brazilian stars and remains close to the MMA community in her home country. [edit]

Jéssica Andrade has kept her romantic life mostly out of the spotlight. She has not publicly confirmed any long-term relationships or marriages. In interviews, she has mentioned that her focus has been on her fighting career, and she prefers to keep her personal life private.

There have been occasional rumors linking her to fellow fighters, but nothing has been confirmed. As of 2026, she is reportedly single, concentrating on her recovery and return to the Octagon. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Jéssica Andrade's net worth at around $3 million as of 2026. Her primary income stream derives from UFC fight purses, which have grown significantly since she captured the championship title. For her title defense against Rose Namajunas, she received a disclosed purse of $100,000 alongside a $50,000 win bonus and performance incentives. These payouts have risen with her standing in the division, supplemented by sponsorship deals with MMA-related brands. During her injury layoff, she took a job as a delivery driver, a decision that made headlines and demonstrated her practical approach to finances. She explained that she was not afraid of hard work and needed the extra income while unable to compete. Beyond fighting, Andrade invests heavily in her training and recovery, building a financial portfolio that reflects a career defined by consistent, high-level competition rather than flashy business ventures.[edit]

Jéssica Andrade has won several performance bonuses in the UFC, including Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards. Her slam knockout of Rose Namajunas was widely recognized as one of the best finishes of 2019. She has also been honored with the UFC's Knockout of the Year by various media outlets. [edit]