Gloria de Paula is looking to score an emphatic finish next week.
De Paula (4-2) faces Factory X’s Pauline Macias at Dana White’s Contender Series 34, which takes place Wednesday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Training out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima in Sao Paulo, de Paula is ready wherever the fight goes, but is confident her muay Thai will shine.
“I did watch some of her bouts,” de Paula told MMA Junkie. “It doesn’t worry me that she comes from a good team. My own team is excellent. My stamina is also very good. I don’t foresee any problems. I’m feeling very confident. I believe I’m going to earn my UFC contract by scoring an impressive KO.”
De Paula will be competing outside of Brazil for the first time in her career, but already has some experience of being away from home when she cornered her girlfriend and current UFC flyweight Mayra Bueno Silva in her Contender Series bout in Las Vegas more than two years ago.
“I got to see how things work backstage,” de Paula said. “I’m pretty comfortable as far as that goes. And for my own bout, I already traveled to Las Vegas to capture some pre-fight footage. That trip happened after the coronavirus pandemic had already started. People ask me if I’m anxious. Just the opposite – everything just adds to my own motivation.”