Carla Esparza is convinced that Claudia Gadelha illegally greased for their bout this past weekend at UFC 225, and she wants a rematch.
Gadelha (16-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) edged Esparza (13-5 MMA, 4-3 UFC) via narrow split decision on Saturday’s FS1-televised preliminary card at Chicago’s United Center.
On Monday, the former and inaugural UFC women’s strawweight champion took her gripes – and call for a rematch – public (via Twitter):
The accusation Esparza referenced was presented on Monday’s edition of “The MMA Hour.” Esparza, who’s No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA women’s strawweight rankings, joined the program and made the accusation about No. 4-ranked Gadelha. She said that she considered complaining to referee Rob Madrigal but instead pressed on. She lost via 28-28, 29-28 and 29-28 scores.
“It’s pretty shady to me,” Esparza said on the show. “I rewatched the fight, and my hands were slipping right off her. Even when I was trying to grab armbars during the fight, my arms kept slipping down.
“She’s a cheater, but it doesn’t really surprise me. In my opinion, she’s been a pretty dirty fighter throughout (her career), so it is what it is. … Claudia, you’re a cheater, straight up. It’s not cool. It is what it is, but it’s done with.”
Gadelha has not publicly responded to the accusations, and MMAjunkie could not immediately reach her for comment. However, immediately following the fight, she said she was confident she deserved the victory.
“I definitely feel like this was my fight,” Gadelha stated. “I controlled her throughout every round. She landed a lot, but I controlled the fight.
“I am one of the best women in the world, and I want to keep improving and get another shot at the belt.”
For complete coverage of UFC 225, check out the UFC Events section of the site.