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Andrade vs Zhang Headline UFC Fight Night 157; See Odds & Breakdown

Cole Shelton

by Cole Shelton in Mixed Martial Arts News

Updated Apr 23, 2020 · 9:30 AM PDT

Will Zhang be able to pull the upset on home soil? Photo from @SpeakYourPeace3 (Twitter)
  • UFC heads to Shenzhen, China on Saturday
  • Jessica Andrade puts her title on the line against Chinese fighter, Weili Zhang
  • See the odds for the entire main card

The Octagon heads to Shenzhen, China on Aug. 31 for the first time in promotional history. In the main event, strawweight champion, Jessica Andrade will look to defend her title for the first time when she takes on Weili Zhang.

The co-main event sees Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos face Li Jingliang, in what promises to deliver fireworks. UFC Fight Night 157 airs live on ESPN+ with the main card starting at 6 a.m. ET.

Jessica Andrade vs. Weili Zhang Odds

Fighter Odds at Book 1 Odds at Book 2
Jessica Andrade -160 -170
Weili Zhang +130 +145

*All odds taken 08/28/19

Can Zhang get to 20 in a row?

Andrade (20-6) is riding a four fight winning streak including knocking out her last two opponents. At UFC 228 she knocked out Karolina Kowalkiewicz with one punch. Then, at UFC 237 when she was fighting for the title, she slammed Rose Namajunas on her head and knocked her out cold to win the title.

She also has notable wins over the likes of Claudia Gadelha, Raquel Pennington, Joanne Calderwood, and Tecia Torres.

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Zhang has won 19 in a row after dropping her debut pro fight. She is also 3-0 in the UFC with wins over Danielle Taylor, Jessica Aguilar, and most recently, Tecia Torres at UFC 235. The Torres win put her on the map to get the next title shot. Of her 19 wins, 16 have come by stoppage.

Tale of the Tape

Andrade
VS
Zhang
27 Age 30
5’2″ Height 5’4″
62″ Reach 63″
5 UFC finishes 1
2 UFC title fights 0

This matchup is very intriguing from a style standpoint. Andrade is the more powerful puncher and uses her strength and her game in the clinch work to pressure fighters. As evidenced by the Rose Namajunas fight, she will attempt the slam multiple times hoping to capitalize on a mistake and against Zhang, this could be a very real possibility.

However, Zhang is the more technical fighter. She can use her speed and her effective jab to piece up the champion and get in and out of the pocket before the Brazilian can load up on a shot.

This is a classic strength vs. speed fight, and I favor Andrade’s strength and experience. I think Zhang could very well be a champion in the UFC, but the time for her is not right now as Jessica Andrade looks too good and too experience for her. It will be a much closer fight than many expect but I think the Brazilian wins the fight by decision or a late knockout.

Pick: Jessica Andrade (-160)

Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Li Jingliang Odds

Fighter Book 1 Odds Book 2 Odds
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos -300 -280
Li Jingliang +230 +240

Who’s Winning Streak Will Come to an End?

dos Santos (21-5) is currently on a seven-fight win streak with four of those wins coming by stoppage. The Brazilian is ranked 14th in the division, yet he keeps on fighting unranked opponents. On his winning streak, he has beaten the likes of Curtis Millender, Max Griffin, and Lyman Good.

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Jingliang (16-5) is riding a two-fight winning streak with a knockout win over David Zawada, and a decision win over Daichi Abe. The Chinese fighter has been in the UFC since 2014 and has some notable wins over the likes of Dhiego Lima, Zak Ottow, and Frank Camacho. He also has five knockout wins inside the Octagon.

Tale of the Tape

dos Santos
VS
Jingliang
32 Age 31
5’11” Height 6’0″
73″ Reach 72″
4 UFC finishes 5
March 2019 Last Fight November 2018

This has all the making to be the fight of the night. Both fighters do not know how to take a step back it seems as they both are always the ones pushing the pace. It should be an interesting fight given the fact both like to strike and have knockout power.

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Yet, dos Santos will have the advantage on the ground, so if he can get him down there is a good chance he can finish Jingliang. The Chinese fighter has been submitted in his career before, so he needs to try and stuff the takedowns.

Ultimately, I think this is too much of a step-up in competition and dos Santos will have his hand raised and most likely by stoppage.

Pick: Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (-280)

The Rest of UFC Fight Night 157 Main Card

Here are the odds for the remaining fights on the card.

Kai Kara-France vs. Mark De La Rosa Odds

Fighter Book 1 Odds Book 2 Odds
Kai Kara-France -200 -190
Mark De La Rosa +160 +160

Zhenhong Lu vs. Movsar Evloev Odds

Fighter Book 1 Odds Book 2 Odds
Zhenhong Lu +450 +550
Movsar Evloev -700 -800

Yanan Wu vs. Mizuki Inoue Odds

Fighter Book 1 Odds Book 2 Odds
Yanan Wu +115 +112
Mizuki Inoue -145 -132
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