Gadelha can't accept Jedrzejczyk's in-cage apology after TUF 23 Finale loss

LAS VEGAS – Claudia Gadelha says her rivalry with Joanna Jedrzejczyk isn’t done after she suffered a second career loss to the UFC strawweight champion at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale.

After losing a controversial split decision in 2014, Gadelha (13-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) finally got her rematch with Jedrzejczyk (11-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) at Friday’s FOX Sports 1-televised event, which took place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. She lost a unanimous decision for just her second career blemish, both of which have come to Jedrzejczyk.

After a tension-filled season as opposing coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter 23,” Gadelha had the chance to gain revenge on her rival. It didn’t go her way, though, and despite receiving an apology from Jedrzejczyk for her actions in the octagon immediately after the fight, Gadelha said at the post-fight news conference that she couldn’t in good conscience accept.

“No, it’s not done – never,” Gadelha said. “The things that she did during the show and the things she said during the show was very disrespectful. I grew up in the [Brazilian jiu-jitsu] philosophy. She disrespect me and my coaches and I can’t accept that.”

It’s possible some of Gadelha’s bitterness stems from the fact she lost a fight she was well on her way to winning. The Brazilian started strong, clearly taking the first two rounds with the help of takedowns and a knockdown. The tide began to turn in the third, however, when Gadelha became noticeably fatigued and slowed down as the contest progressed.

Once the fight hit the championship rounds Gadelha was completely out of the running. Jedrzejczyk got 10-8 scorecards from all three judges in the fourth and got another 10-8 from one judge in the fifth.

Gadelha was fighting for the first time since August 2015 and admitted she wasn’t prepared for the tenacity and pace of the 25-minute battle.

“I was fighting to win, then the third round I felt my arms were very fight,” Gadelha said. “I tried to keep fighting back, but she kicks a lot, she has good hips and was escaping from my takedowns and that’s what happened.

“I think I’m better than her technically – if it wasn’t for the conditioning I could have beat her there.”

At a 0-2 deficit in the rivalry it’s going to take a lot of work for Gadelha to earn a third opportunity to fight for the belt. She said she’s not deflated by that reality, though, because with every setback she becomes more energized to return stronger.

“I don’t look at it that way,” Gadelha said. “I learn fight-by-fight. This just makes me more hungry. I get back in the gym and work my ass off to get back in the octagon and fight again.”

For complete coverage of The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale, check out the UFC Events section of the site.