In an incredible display of heart and resilience, former LFA interim flyweight champion Gabriella Fernandes scored a stunning upset victory over massive favorite Wang Cong at UFC Macau on Saturday morning.
The fight started with Wang dominating the early rounds, cornering Gabriella Fernandes against the cage in the first round and landing the better shots. She continued to control the action in the second round, but Gabriella Fernandes, who had been weathering the storm, managed to turn the tide with a brutal left hand that dropped Wang. Seizing the opportunity, Gabriella Fernandes quickly transitioned into grappling, securing Wang’s back before locking in a rear-naked choke, leaving the undefeated fighter unconscious on the mat.
The dramatic finish stunned the crowd and marked a major milestone in Fernandes’ career.
In her emotional post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, Fernandes revealed the personal challenges she had been facing leading up to the fight. She shared that she had been dealing with multiple injuries, including hurt hands and a foot, yet she was determined to fight. Fernandes also spoke about the immense personal loss she had suffered in recent months, losing both her father and sister.
“I’m living in the gym for 10 months, away from my family,” Fernandes said, holding back tears. “I lost my father last year, two weeks before my fight [against Tereza Bleda], and I lost my sister just over a month ago. I couldn’t be with her, and that’s why this win was for her.”
Despite coming into the fight with injuries and being the underdog, Fernandes showed incredible resilience, defeating Wang on her opponent’s home turf.
With the win, Fernandes improves her record to 10-3, including a 2-2 mark in the UFC after starting her promotion career with two losses. She has now earned back-to-back victories following her previous win over Carli Judice, signaling her comeback in the UFC.
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