Claudia Gadelha is an absolute boss. The Brazilian had a pioneering career inside the Octagon, fighting her way out of poverty to compete for the inaugural UFC Women’s Strawweight title. Upon retirement, she became the only female fighter to be hired into a management role. At 35, with over a million followers on Instagram, Gadelha is an inspiration. A protégé of Dana White, she is leading the charge for the organization’s grappling division and seeking to bring Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) to the mainstream. The women’s MMA icon is all about optimizing her time on this planet, excelling in health, fitness, finance, and simply being a total badass.

Recently, she sat down with EssentiallySports for an exclusive interview to discuss her groundbreaking role and the future of the sport. As a former teammate of Jon Jones(the man many consider to be the greatest of all time), she also gave me a fascinating rundown of his legacy and thoughts on his potential super-fights.

Claudia Gadelha On Jon Jones: Legacy, Matchups, and Potential Super-Fights

When asked about Jon Jones and his potential future opponents, Gadelha didn’t hold back. She offered her thoughts on two possible super-fights: one against light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and the other against interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

“Jon has always been a special athlete. We all know what he can do inside the cage. But fighting at heavyweight, against someone like Alex Pereira or Tom Aspinall, would be a true test of his greatness,” Gadelha said.

She continued by emphasizing how both Pereira and Aspinall have the skills to challenge Jones at this point in his career.

“Alex has such dangerous striking, and we’ve seen what he can do to anyone who steps in front of him. But Jon is a different level. He’s so smart, his fight IQ is unmatched, and he’s got that wrestling that could neutralize any striker,”Gadelha added, emphasizing the difference in skill sets between the two fighters.

As for Aspinall, Gadelha is undoubtedly intrigued by the matchup, particularly the mental battle that would unfold.

“Tom Aspinall is an explosive, dangerous fighter. He’s got the tools to make it a competitive fight. But Jon’s experience and ability to adapt in the cage are what set him apart. It’s hard to bet against him,” Gadelha explained.

If Gadelha had to choose between these two absolute banger match-ups – then the Brazilian native would opt to see her countryman ‘Poatan’ challenge the GOAT,

“Honestly think he should fight Poatan (Alex Pereira). It’s a great matchup for Jon, and it would be an epic fight. We all know how dangerous Pereira is with his striking, but Jon’s grappling and control would be a challenge for anyone, especially someone with the striking power that Pereira has. It would be an interesting fight to watch, for sure,” she explained.

At 37, Jones is coming to the tail end of his career and fans may only get to enjoy seeing him doing what he does best maybe one or two times – if that.

“If Jon fights either of those two, it would be a fight of the year contender for sure. I think Jon’s legacy is already set, but these fights would add to that. And for us fans, it would be a spectacle to watch,” said Gadelha – and we’re sure most fans would concur – either of these match-ups would be guaranteed belters and would be a fitting send-off to ‘Bones.’

Gadelha’s Insight on the Future of MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Beyond analyzing Jones’ potential super-fights, Gadelha shared her thoughts on the future of MMA, particularly with her new role in the grappling scene. As someone who has been a trailblazer for women in the sport, she’s dedicated to furthering the reach of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and elevating the level of grappling in MMA.

“MMA has come such a long way, but there’s still so much room for improvement. BJJ has always been a huge part of MMA, but now we’re seeing more focus on how grappling can be incorporated at the highest level. I want to see BJJ pushed to the forefront,” Gadelha said.

Gadelha is excited about her involvement in growing the sport, particularly as the grappling division continues to develop within the UFC and beyond.

“I’m honored to have this opportunity to help guide the next generation of fighters. I believe MMA needs more grapplers to come forward and showcase their skills. There’s so much potential for fighters to shine in this aspect of the game,” Gadelha concluded.

Claudia Gadelha’s journey from Octagon legend to UFC innovator is nothing short of inspiring. Whether she’s discussing Jon Jones’ legacy or shaping the future of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, her insights are a must-hear for every MMA fan.

Also Read: Exclusive: “Dana Was Able to Show” – CEO’s Huge Help to Revive Claudia Gadelha’s UFC Career Revealed