"We’re going to exchange information about how the divorces are going" - Jessica Andrade confirms split with wife ahead of Mackenzie Dern fight
Heading into the UFC 295 fight against Mackenzie Dern, Jessica Andrade confirmed that she was legally separating from her wife after several years of being married.
Andrade and Dern were both going through divorce proceedings at the time of their fight. Dern had also announced her split with pro-surfer Wesley Santos in early 2023.
Jessica Andrade had been married to her longtime partner Fernanda Gomes, who also cornered the former strawweight champion, for several years. The couple tied the knot in 2019 in Las Vegas, and Andrade credited Gomes for being a source of support numerous times over the years.
At the UFC 295 media day presser, Andrade was asked about Dern's comments about both fighters taking their stress out on each other during the fight. Confirming that she's indeed going through a divorce, the Brazilian replied:
"She's going through that, I'm going through it as well... We're going to go in there and let our demons out... I actually have gone through what she's gone through even longer because my divorce started earlier than hers... When the fight is over, we're going to exchange information about how our divorces are going."
Divorce proceedings put Jessica Andrade under tremendous financial pressure
Jessica Andrade's UFC 295 showdown was her fifth competitive appearance of 2023. While she defeated Dern by an impressive Round 2 TKO, Andrade was in a difficult situation professionally with three straight losses prior to that.
While most fighters take time off to assess their mistakes and regroup after consistent failure, Andrade continued to show up despite the losses. While speaking at the Trocacao Franca podcast, Andrade explained:
"This year, I had my divorce that has taken a lot of my money in paying lawyers and things here and there. So I ended up taking five fights. It will be over this year, god willing, and I'll be fine."
Jessica Andrade's personal life seems to have got back on track as she looks to score her second straight win at UFC 300 this weekend. The former UFC strawweight champion will take on fellow Brazilian Marina Rodriguez on the early preliminary card.