A series of scrappy striking exchanges follow, as both fighters miss with a lot of output.
A right hand does get through for Rodriguez again, then another. She’s not landing with much power, however.
Meanwhile, Andrade is loading up on her punches, but the ex-champ has failed to land anything significant in this round.
Eventually Andrade gets through with a pair of left hooks, but they’re winging shots while she runs forward. But hey, if they land, they land...
Andrade is landing with increasing frequency, as Rodriguez looks a bit startled with her back to the fence! The buzzer comes at a good time for Rodriguez.
Next up, former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade faces Marina Rodriguez in an all-Brazilian affair.
Round one
Both women stand orthodox. Andrade, 32, is four years younger than Rodriguez. Andrade with a few low kicks early on; Rodriguez responds in kind.
Decent right hand by Rodriguez, who is the taller fighter by some margin. Andrade continues to press forward, but she walks onto a good counter combination from her compatriot.
Oh! More low kicks from Andrade, and Rodriguez stumbles to the mat as Andrade switches targets with some punches upstairs! It seems Rodriguez’s leg is compromised and played a role in that knockdown.
Andrade with some hard ground and pound, but Rodriguez is able to compose herself and neutralise Andrade’s offence, leading the latter to disengage and stand.
Soon, though, Andrade dives into Rodriguez’s guard. She moves into side control, then north-south. Rodriguez works on a D’Arce choke from underneath, but she can’t finish it.
