No Substitute for Determination

Eduarda Moura swam against the current in order to get upstream in her native Brazil, where she transitioned from jiu-jitsu to mixed martial arts against the wishes of many.

“There was no support of any kind, moral or financial—nothing,” she told Sherdog.com. “It was all me, myself and I. No one helped, father, mother, relatives, friends, no one. I sold my belongings so I could chase my dream.”

A late bloomer, Moura started competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 25 and switched to MMA some three years later. A move to Salvador, Brazil, resulted in an attitude adjustment for those around her and perhaps proved, once and for all, that her resolve was unshakable.

“That’s when things changed,” Moura said. “It’s working out. I fell in love with martial arts and that’s why I sought them out, but in my state of Sergipe, there was very little MMA. Jiu-jitsu was already expanding, so that’s where I got my start. I looked for a sport to lose weight, fell in love with martial arts in general, went into jiu-jitsu and then into boxing. Moving to MMA was actually my manager’s idea. That’s how it went.”

Fast forward to the present, where Moura has emerged as one of the more compelling up-and-coming talents in the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s strawweight division. The 30-year-old Galpao da Luta product will put her perfect 10-0 record on the line when she faces Denise Gomes as part of the UFC on ESPN 57 undercard this Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Moura nailed down a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in August and then dazzled in her Octagon debut some three months later, as she wiped out Montserrat Ruiz with punches in the second round of their UFC Fight Night 231 pairing.

Gomes represents a significant step up in competition. The Parana Vale Tudo export has won eight of her past 10 bouts, losing only to Konklak Suphisara and former Invicta Fighting Championships titleholder Angela Hill. Moura views the 24-year-old as a genuine threat and revealed that she would prefer to face someone other than a fellow countrywoman.

“I’d much rather face a foreigner—1,000 times more,” she said. “I spent my whole career facing Brazilians, even on the Contender Series. My first non-Brazilian opponent was [Ruiz] in my UFC debut. I thought the pattern would continue, yet I’m booked again against a Brazilian. But it’s my job. I’ll do it, even if it’s for the rest of my career. I wouldn’t complain. It’s just a matter of preference to face athletes from other countries. It makes it easier to defend our national flag.

“I know Denise,” Moura added. “I’ve studied her. I am aware of her knockout power. I believe that it will be her first time getting submitted, though I could either knock her out or submit her. I don’t like to let fights go to a decision. It’s my nature. It’s my style. I’m ready for whatever she brings.”

Not lacking in ambition, Moura has set some lofty goals for herself.

“My plans are to climb up the rankings and become the strawweight champion,” she said. “After that, I’ll move up to flyweight. I’ll work hard to make that happen. As far as my next fight, I expect to win quickly with no injuries, then I’ll ask for another fight in short order. My second UFC bout will be seven months after the first. I’m used to fighting way more often. I’d love to fight every month or two. I want people to see me. I want to do my work. I have to make up for lost time. I’d be very thankful if I could fight up to five times a year.”