‘People start doubting you’: Gabriella Fernandes reacts to historic upset of Wang Cong at UFC Macau
Gabriella Fernandes wrote her name in the UFC history books with the biggest upset of 2024 odds-wise—and 9th all-time in the UFC—a shocking submission of -950 favorite Wang Cong at UFC Macau.
Back to Brazil to celebrate the victory after cashing a $50,000 check for one of the best performances that night in China, Fernandes said in an interview with MMA Fighting she wasn’t that bothered or offended by her underdog status going into a fight with the 6-0 flyweight prospect.
“I don’t care about all that, you know?” Fernandes said. “I care about what I have to do to win. I need to focus on myself regardless of her hype or the fact I’m fighting in her home country or whatnot. It was better for me, actually, because I already knew it would be like that. She had all the pressure to deliver being at her home and the fact she was undefeated. I saw it as an opportunity.”
Wang made her way to the UFC with a guillotine over Paula Luna this past May and then demolished Victoria Leonardo in just 62 seconds three months later. Fernandes lost her first UFC bouts to Jasmine Jasudavicius and Tereza Bleda but signed a new deal with the UFC after a bonus-winning split decision win over Carli Judice in June.
“People start doubting you [after losses], that’s the truth,” Fernandes said. “I was the favorite when I debuted in the UFC against Jasmine but then I lost like that, and then I lost again, and people start not giving you credit. It’s was just my team and I, and that’s what really matters to me.”
Wang’s quick victory over Leonardo took place the night of Fernandes’ birthday party, and the 31-year-old thought to herself that a clash with Wang would be wonderful given their fighting styles. The offer came a month later, and she said yes right away. The “humble” athlete refuses to call out a 125-pounder after a big upset, but hopes the promotion sends her way a fellow striker after cashing big with the $50,000 bonus.
“It’s like I won twice,” Fernandes said of the bonus as a record underdog. “To win like that, and the bonus. To win at her home, an undefeated girl. It’s another obstacle out of my way. I stay with my feet on the ground, but I plan on fighting soon. I’ll just recover from the injuries and get back in there. It was harder to train while injured [than fighting]. Deep in there, I knew I was going to win. I said in an interview with the UFC before the fight, ‘She’s 6-1 but doesn’t know yet.’”
Watch Fernandes’ finish below.
The +520 underdog Gabriella Fernandes chokes out Wang Cong at #UFCMacau! pic.twitter.com/XyrsYsZpJU
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) November 23, 2024