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Report: Andrade-Namajunas rematch expected July 11

Alexandre Schneider / Getty Images Sport / Getty

A rematch between former strawweight champions Jessica Andrade and Rose Namajunas is targeted for July 11, sources told MMA Fighting's Damon Martin and Guilherme Cruz.

The two fighters have reportedly verbally agreed to the matchup, but contracts haven't yet been signed.

UFC president Dana White told ESPN's Brett Okamoto earlier Thursday that he was working to book the rematch but planned to talk to Namajunas first to make sure she's comfortable competing during the coronavirus pandemic.

The bout was initially scheduled for UFC 249 in April, but Namajunas withdrew from the contest after two of her family members died from COVID-19.

The 115-pound fighters faced off for the first time in the UFC 237 main event last May. Andrade finished Namajunas in the second round to capture the belt.

Namajunas hasn't stepped into the Octagon since that fight, with Andrade going on to drop the title to Zhang Weili in August.

Zhang, the current strawweight champion, said Thursday she wants to fight Namajunas in her next bout. It appears the winner of Andrade-Namajunas 2 could earn a title shot.

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