Claudia Gadelha healthy and hoping for UFC 190 return
Brazilian strawweight contender Claudia Gadelha suffered the first loss of her professional fighting career late last year to Joanna Jedrzejczyk by the closest of margins via split decision. Joanna's next fight was for the 115-pound world title, in March, and the Polish fighter walked away with the belt.
Gadelha watched her rival take home gold and, that same month, suffered a back injury. For that reason, "Claudinha" has yet to fight in 2015.
However, UFC Tonight's Ariel Helwani reported Wednesday on FOX Sports 1 that the 26-year-old is now 100 percent healed up from her back ailment and awaiting her next engagement. If she has her way, Gadelha will next fight at UFC 190 in Rio.
The Nova Uniao fighter had originally wanted to fight former champion Carla Esparza on that date in Brazil, but Esparza is reportedly nursing various injuries that would prevent the matchup.
So, Gadelha is now open to fighting whomever. Of course, she would like to fight the winner between Jedrzejczyk vs. Penne on June 20 in Berlin, but Gadelha believes she needs another win to earn that fight.
