Nothing has come easy for Gabrielle Garcia in jiu-jitsu

ABU DHABI // The sheer sight of her and the look in her eyes are enough to send a chill through her opponents’ bones. Gabrielle Garcia is all muscle, stands 1.88 metres tall and weighs over 90 kilogrammes.

The battle-hardened Brazilian is a nine-time world jiu-jitsu champion and has shed an incredible 50kgs over two years as she prepares for her mixed martial art (MMA) debut.

Garcia, 29, was originally set to compete in MMA on December 23 last year at Tokyo, Japan, but Real Fight failed to find an opponent.

She signed a contract with the Brazilian promotions company Jungle Fight for her first appearance in MMA on March 28 in Sao Paulo, but decided to postpone it to a future date.

“I want to fight in MMA because I need to find a new challenge,” said Garcia, who has dominated her weight and absolute class in jiu-jitsu since 2009.

“If they can’t get an opponent to match my weight in MMA or UFC, I will get my weight down as much as possible, which I have been doing for the last two years.”

Garcia won her brown/black 75kg-plus weight class at the seventh Abu Dhabi Professional World Championships on Thursday to remain undefeated since the women’s event was included in 2010.

“It may look easy for those watching from the outside, but none of the fights are easy to win,” she said after getting the better of compatriot Vanessa Nascimento in the final.

Garcia will defend her absolute class title in Saturday’s final day of the six-day jiu-jitsu event in the IPIC Arena at the Zayed Sports City.

“I still have to fight to win,” she said of her title defence of the absolute class. “I don’t take anyone as an easy opponent in a competition.

“Of course I use my height, weight, and strength to maximum. That’s my advantage, but you cannot win if you are not fit or don’t have the technique, and above all, that hunger to win.

“A lot of people can have their own opinion about me, but I know how hard it has taken me to be in the summit of my game. It is blood, sweat and tears, but I enjoy what I do ever since I started jiu-jitsu.”

Garcia took part in various sports during her younger years. She played basketball, volleyball and was successful in field hockey before her first lesson in jiu-jitsu at the age of 13. Garcia has not reached the top in her chosen sport without hard work and dedication.

She trains up to eight hours a day over three sessions for six days a week.

Her long-time Brazilian training partner and fellow competitor, Andresa Correa, is all praise for Garcia’s commitment and work ethics.

“There is never a time with her to relax during training,” Correa said.

“When she gets on to the mat, whether be a competition or sparring session, she will not spare to turn her might on me.

“It is the same with me. I have to give it back to her in return. That’s what training is all about. You can’t compromise what is for real in a competition.”

However, off the mat they are best of friends. “We have been training partners for over five years and up to now we have had no issues whatsoever between our professional work and friendship,” Correa said.

Beatriz Mesquita, the winner of the brown/black 65kg title, has met Garcia a few times in the open class, and has been on the podium ever since the open category for women was introduced in 2013.

“Everyone who is up against Gabby relishes the challenge against her,” she said. “She is an absolute powerhouse in jiu-jitsu. It is not only her superior height, weight and strength, but her technique all round.

“So fighting against her in the open division is a real big challenge for anyone.”

Mesquita had a different idea of Garcia until she got to know her better last year.

“She looked mean when I first came across her in a competition. We didn’t know each other at that time because we are from two different cities in Brazil,” Mesquita said. “I am from Rio and she’s from Sao Paolo. But over a period of time we came to know each other quite well and we have been good friends for the last year.

“Now I realise what a wonderful and friendly person she is.

“Obviously there is no friendship among the fighters when we are on the mat. Everyone in the circuit acknowledges that. However, off it, we are all best of friends.

“And Gabby is really an extremely kind and friendly person.”

apassela@thenational.ae