The past few months have been frustrating for Claudia Gadelha.
At UFC on ESPN 8, Gadelha (17-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) expects to create a problem for her UFC on ESPN 8 opponent instead of experiencing one.
“After that nightmare that happened in January with Alexa Grasso where she didn’t make weight, I was frustrated,” Gadelha told MMA Junkie during Thursday’s UFC on ESPN 8 virtual media day. “I spent three months in New Jersey through the winter, training so much for that fight, and she didn’t make weight. It was like ‘(Expletive), what am I going to do now?'”
A strawweight, Gadelha was booked for fights in December, January and early May. All three fights were canceled for various reasons. On short notice, Hill stepped up to the plate.
“(The UFC) talked to Angela Hill. She said she needed a couple more weeks to get ready because she wasn’t really training,” Gadelha said. “I was like, ‘Well, at this point, I’ll fight anybody. If she steps in, let’s go.'”
When Hill fights Saturday, it’ll be her seventh fight in 14 months. Fighting frequently has become a big part of Hill’s image. However, Gadelha recognizes Hill’s activity level isn’t something everyone can emulate.
“I feel like my health is way more important, (especially) now with this (pandemic),” Gadelha said. “Of course fighting is my life. It’s my career. It’s what makes me a better person and a better athlete. My health is way more important. As long as I’m healthy, making weight every other month, I would be cool with that. But I don’t think it’s healthy for me to drop 15 pounds every other month.”
As for the matchup at UFC on ESPN 8, Gadelha is expecting an appealing scrap for viewers – and trouble for Hill. Both fighters have found success recently, with Gadelha winning three out five and Hill winning three straight.
“I feel like Angela is going to come after (me),” Gadelha said. “She’s very confident because she won her last couple of fights. I’m a different breed. I’ve been fighting for so long. I have a lot of experience. If she comes forward, she’ll find a nightmare.”
UFC on ESPN 8 takes place Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.