Rose Namajunas vs Jessica Andrade rematch targeted for UFC event on July 11

A rematch pitting the previous two women’s Strawweight title holders is once again in the works. According to MMA Fighting, Rose Namajunas and Jessica Andrade are in talks to sign on the dotted line to run it back on July 11 at a location that will be determined at a later date.

The two ex-title holders were booked to rematch at UFC 249, but Namajunas was forced out of the fight after a couple of her family members suffered coronavirus-related deaths. Rose’s withdrawal is understandable, as UFC 249 was the first event staged by the promotion in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic following a lengthy hiatus.

Namajunas and Andrade initially threw down at UFC 237 a year ago, which saw Andrade knockout Namajunas with a vicious slam (see it), ending her title reign in the process. “Bate Estaca’s” title reign was short-lived, though, as she was knocked out early in round one by Weili Zhang just three months later.

Speaking of Zhang, she recently called for a title fight against “Thug Rose” but was shut down by Dana White, saying he was still gunning for Andrade vs Namajunas part two. That being said, he did say he needed to chat with Rose to make sure she was okay with fighting under the current conditions.

Of course, the winner of this bout will be the front-runner for a title fight, so “Magnum” may still get her wish.

The event will likely be a pay-per-view (PPV) card, possibly on “Fight Island,” and also features a Bantamweight bout between Frankie Edgar and Pedro Munhoz. Also, Paige VanZant will face Amanda Ribas in women’s Flyweight action.