Eduarda Ronda debuts in the UFC after distrust from her own mother

This Saturday (4), Eduarda Ronda will fulfill her dream of debuting in UFC, on the card based in São Paulo (SP). First woman from Sergipe in the history of the organization, the strawweight (52 kg) from ‘Galpão da Luta’ – the heavyweight’s teammate Jailton Malhadinho – arrives at Ultimate after a meteoric rise in MMA and after overcoming the suspicions and uncertainties of his own family.

Born in Riachuelo, in the interior of Sergipe, Eduarda Moura began his career as a fighter late. Furthermore, ‘Ronda’, as she is known, also had to deal with the fact that part of her family, especially her mother, did not approve of her choice to pursue a career in the world of combat sports.

Resilient, Eduarda built an impressive record in a short time as a professional athlete and secured a contract with the UFC after standing out on the Contender Series in August this year. Success in this endeavor not only took the strawweight to the main MMA event on the planet, but also helped her change the questioning scenario within her own home.

“My family has a slightly old-school mindset, especially my mother. She has a business there and I worked with her. She painted it as if I had abandoned her to pursue a dream that, in her mind, was not possible. So much so that no one from Sergipe had ever entered the UFC. And I was advanced in age, I had little time with jiu-jitsu”, recalled Eduarda, before completing.

“I started training jiu-jitsu when I was 25, MMA was 27, 28, or so. It was more impossible than possible. But I believe that when we really want something, when we believe and have the correct support, we can get where we want. Today she (mother) is most proud. Because she saw that she really worked. Before, she wasn’t supportive because she wanted me back there. So, whether she wanted to or not, she made light of it. But it’s there, mom, I’m here,” she declared.

Even before stepping onto the stage set up at the Ginásio do Ibirapuera, in São Paulo, this Saturday, in her UFC debut, Eduarda Moura has already written her name in the organization’s history by becoming the first athlete from her state to be signed by the entity she presides over. by Dana White. The feat had repercussions among the residents of little Richuelo and, obviously, helped the fighter’s family to understand the importance of her achievement.

“My mother has a business in the interior of Sergipe, Riachuelo. And when she found out, there were a lot of people there: ‘When is she coming to take a photo?’. And my mother kept calling me, sending videos of the staff, the clients. It’s a small city. Everyone has known me since I was little. But I haven’t had the opportunity to go to Sergipe and walk around to see if I’m already being recognized. But I believe so. On Instagram, I receive a lot of messages from people there. I think they’re cheering. And keep cheering, see (laughs)”, joked Ronda.

In addition to making her debut on a card promoted in Brazil, Eduarda Ronda will perform in the same event that will be led by her team partner Jailton Malhadinho, protagonist of the UFC São Paulo main fight alongside Derrick Lewis. The Sergipe native, undefeated in professional MMA after nine fights, will face Mexican Montserrat ‘Conejo’ Ruiz, who is coming off two consecutive defeats in Ultimate, both to Brazilian athletes: Amanda Lemos and Jaqueline Amorim.