Gabriella Fernandes scored probably the most surprising wins of 2024 when she rocked and choked out -950 favourite Wang Cong in enemy territory at UFC Macau. Lastly healed from accidents on each fingers and her left foot, sustained previous to that the large upset, “Gabi” re-enters the cage Saturday to face Julija Stoliarenko at UFC Vegas 109.
Fernandes admits she anticipated to compete towards somebody ranked larger within the flyweight division after giving Wang the only real lack of her MMA profession to date, however didn’t really feel ready to ask for something in the mean time.
Stoliarenko is 2-6 within the UFC and hasn’t fought since a stoppage defeat to Luana Carolina in February 2024.
“[Stoliarenko] agreed [to fighting], and I wouldn’t argue about that,” Fernandes advised MMA Preventing. “Actually, I by no means select opponents. Once I get to the rankings, then I’ll debate and see which fights are extra fascinating for me to proceed climbing. However till I get there, I’ll should undergo this.”
Regardless of hoping for an even bigger match-up, Fernandes appears again at her UFC debut towards Jasmine Jasudavicius as a reminder that everybody has their ups and downs.
“I don’t assume we are able to say ‘no’ to [the UFC],” Fernandes mentioned. “I settle for the problem. It’s a sport, we’re right here to be challenged. Everyone within the UFC is there for a cause. There are not any straightforward fights. There by no means was. A sport is like that, you may win, you may lose, so we are able to’t underestimate anybody.”
“I used to be at all times underestimated, and that’s why I don’t underestimate anybody,” she continued. “Once I began preventing, individuals didn’t imagine I’d someday make it to the UFC, nobody believed I’d have the self-discipline to proceed coaching. I used to be too outdated once I began, my life was utterly totally different, so I’m used to being doubted.”
Fernandes is the odds-on favourite this time round, however “received’t take in this kind of strain” as a result of “I’ve misplaced early in my profession and discovered from it,” Additionally, Wang was favored to beat her in China and everybody noticed how that ended.
“I do know I’m the favourite now as a result of I’m coming off wins, however I don’t see it like, ‘Oh, I’ve to win this,’” Fernandes mentioned. “In my head, it’s simply one other problem I’ve to undergo this Saturday. First, I’ve to be affected person. She’s a grappler and can go for the submission, she likes that jiu-jitsu sport and armbars. I can’t be overaggressive as a result of that’s what she needs me to do, after which she grapples. I’ll discover my second finally, she’ll get drained too, and I’ll do what I would like.”
Stoliarenko scored 10 of her 11 MMA wins through armbar, seven of these in below a minute, and Fernandes is aware of she will be able to’t make a mistake in that space — and feels able to go for an armbar of her personal, too.
“That has occurred earlier than,” Fernandes mentioned with amusing. “I fought a black belt and defended so many takedowns and floor and pound from high place that, growth, I noticed the chance and obtained the faucet. I’ve submissions as effectively, however I get the knockdown first after which shock [on the ground]. It’s MMA, it’s a shock, and you should use many weapons.”
