After completing a wintery training camp in Toms River, New Jersey and making weight for her bout with Alexa Grasso at UFC 246 in January, the bout was called off when Grasso hit the scales five pounds over the strawweight limit.
A May assignment against then-unbeaten countrywoman Marina Rodriguez was nixed in April as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world into lockdown before Gadelha ultimately accepted an assignment against the streaking Hill on the third fight card of the May restart in Jacksonville, Florida.
The close, competitive fight was cast as a clear victory for Hill online, with the obvious positives from Gadelha’s performance disappearing into the ether as the conversation fixated on the judges’ scorecards and the popular Hill being victimized by their tallies.
Then, less than a month before she and Yan were initially slated to step into the Octagon at UFC 253, the Brazilian was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury, forcing the bout back to this weekend.
“It’s been challenging; very, very challenging,” she said. “This whole year has been very challenging, but not just for me; we’re all in the same boat. We’re all going through a lot.”
Despite the challenges and frustrations, Gadelha remains positive heading into this weekend’s crucial clash with the streaking Chinese up and comer.
“It’s a crazy year, but it’s not a bad year,” she said. “I’m working, I’m doing whatever I can do to see the people I love, I got to fight this year already, I’m fighting again, my birthday is in a month, so I’m happy.
“I know it’s a challenging year, but I feel like I’m keeping my **** together and getting through this year.”