Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
UFC strawweight Claudia Gadelha is fed up of one former opponent’s greasing allegations,
Claudia Gadelha was a winner in the co-main event of UFC on ESPN 8 this weekend. In Jacksonville’s VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena the Brazilian took a split decision victory over Angela Hill (though, some scored the fight for the American TUF alum).
After getting her hand raised Gadelha, who unsuccessfully challenged Joanna Jedrzejczyk for the UFC’s 115 lb belt back in 2016, called for a rematch with a former foe; Carla Esparza.
Gadelha beat Esparza in 2018, by split decision. After that fight Esparza, the UFC’s first ever strawweight champion, accused Gadelha of cheating. Specifically, Esparza alleged that Gadelha was applying some kind of substance to her body, which made it difficult for Esparza to grapple and wrestler with her.
After this weekend’s event — the third the UFC put on in north Florida last week — Esparza responded to Gadelha’s call out. In doing so, she took the opportunity to again accuse Gadelha of ‘greasing’.
Let’s run it back!! Leave the grease at home this time @ClaudiaGadelha_
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) May 17, 2020
“Let’s run it back!! Leave the grease at home this time,” tweeted Esparza.
At the UFC on ESPN 8 post-fight press conference Gadelha was asked her opinion of that tweet. She wasn’t impressed.
“It’s 2020. The sport is evolving so much, come on. I have the commission following me from the time I step into the octagon to the time the fight is finish. How the f—k am I going to grease?” said Gadelha (per MMA Fighting). “Carla Esparza, stop with your f—king excuses, and let’s get back in there again.”
Before beating Hill, Gadelha defeated Randa Markos (at UFC 239 last July). Prior to that she lost a unanimous decision to Nina Ansaroff at UFC 231 in December 2018.
Since losing to Gadelha, Esparza has gone 3-1 inside the Octagon. She lost to Tatiana Suarez by TKO at UFC 228 in September 2018. After that she beat Virna Jandiroba, Alexa Grasso and Michele Waterson all by decision.