MMA Preview – Jessica Andrade vs Xiaonan Yan at UFC 288
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JESSICA ANDRADE VS XIAONAN YAN FACTS
When is UFC 288? Sunday 7th May, 2023 - 01:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 288? Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 288? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 288
What channel is UFC 288 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 288? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
JESSICA ANDRADE VS XIAONAN YAN LOWDOWN
Jessica Andrade (24-10) graces her 12th pay-per-view card and drops back down to strawweight. After dispatching Cynthia Calvillo (2021) at flyweight with ease racking up her ninth knockout, she dropped down to 115 lbs to submit top contender Amanda Lemos (2022) and put a three-round beating on Lauren Murphy (2023) back at 125 lbs. She then got matched with top prospect Erin Blanchfield back in February and got shocked suffering a second-round submission.
Xiaonan Yan (16-3(1)) eagerly accepts hoping a win will catapult her back up the rankings. After a unanimous decision win over Claudia Gadelha (2020) capped off a 13-fight unbeaten streak including six UFC wins, she got pounded out by Carla Esparza (2021) and lost a split decision to Marina Rodriguez (2022). However, she got back in the win column with a majority decision over Mackenzie Dern in October last year.
JESSICA ANDRADE VS XIAONAN YAN PREDICTION
We expect a fun striking battle here with a lot of volume. Yan is the slicker striker hailing from a sanda background. She has better technique, movement and defence.
However, Andrade does not respect anyone’s striking and is happy leaving her head on the centre line and walking her opponents down swinging wild hooks which usually works as she packs more power than any strawweight.
She has also been very active although she did not look herself against Blanchfield and cutting down to 115 lbs in your third fight in three months will be taxing on the body.
Yan can capitalize however, we feel this is a better match-up for Andrade who is more dangerous over three rounds. Yan is the underdog and a decision is the smart bet, but as long as the weight cut goes smoothly, we are backing the Brazilian.
Prediction: Andrade via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value bet: Yan via Decision
