Gabriella Fernandes scored one of the most shocking wins of 2024 when she rocked and choked out -950 favorite Wang Cong in enemy territory at UFC Macau. Finally healed from injuries on both hands and her left foot, sustained prior to that the massive upset, “Gabi” re-enters the cage Saturday to face Julija Stoliarenko at UFC Vegas 109.
Fernandes admits she expected to compete against someone ranked higher in the flyweight division after giving Wang the sole loss of her MMA career so far, but didn’t feel in a position to ask for anything at the moment.
Stoliarenko is 2-6 in the UFC and hasn’t fought since a stoppage defeat to Luana Carolina in February 2024.
“[Stoliarenko] agreed [to fighting], and I wouldn’t argue about that,” Fernandes told MMA Fighting. “In fact, I never choose opponents. When I get to the rankings, then I will debate and see which fights are more interesting for me to continue climbing. But until I get there, I’ll have to go through this.”
Despite hoping for a bigger match-up, Fernandes looks back at her UFC debut against Jasmine Jasudavicius as a reminder that everyone has their ups and downs.
“I don’t think we can say ‘no’ to [the UFC],” Fernandes said. “I accept the challenge. It’s a sport, we’re here to be challenged. Everybody in the UFC is there for a reason. There are no easy fights. There never was. A sport is like that, you can win, you can lose, so we can’t underestimate anyone.”
“I was always underestimated, and that’s why I don’t underestimate anyone,” she continued. “When I started fighting, people didn’t believe I would one day make it to the UFC, no one believed I would have the discipline to continue training. I was too old when I started, my life was completely different, so I’m used to being doubted.”
Fernandes is the odds-on favorite this time around, but “won’t absorb this type of pressure” because “I’ve lost early in my career and learned from it,” Also, Wang was favored to beat her in China and everyone saw how that ended.
“I know I’m the favorite now because I’m coming off wins, but I don’t see it like, ‘Oh, I have to win this,’” Fernandes said. “In my head, it’s just another challenge I have to go through this Saturday. First, I have to be patient. She’s a grappler and will go for the submission, she likes that jiu-jitsu game and armbars. I can’t be overaggressive because that’s what she wants me to do, and then she grapples. I’ll find my moment eventually, she’ll get tired too, and I’ll do what I want.”
Stoliarenko scored 10 of her 11 MMA wins via armbar, seven of those in under a minute, and Fernandes knows she can’t make a mistake in that area — and feels ready to go for an armbar of her own, too.
“That has happened before,” Fernandes said with a laugh. “I fought a black belt and defended so many takedowns and ground and pound from top position that, boom, I saw the opportunity and got the tap. I have submissions as well, but I get the knockdown first and then surprise [on the ground]. It’s MMA, it’s a surprise, and you can use many weapons.”
