Claudia Gadelha (14-2) is an accomplished UFC fighter on track for a shot at the strawweight title in the near future, but that’s hardly her life’s ambition.

The 28-year-old Brazilian longs to follow in her uncle’s footsteps and one day join the country’s special forces, and in Brazil that requires a law degree. So, in addition to the countless hours she spends training for her MMA career, she’s also pursuing a degree.

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“When I was young I had an uncle who was federal police, he was a big guy in the family that everyone looked up to,” Gadelha told SunSport. “I grew up going to family parties and every one was always waiting and excited to see ‘the guy’. He was ‘the guy’ and everyone was always waiting for him to arrive… he was a such a big deal in the family and I wanted to be a big deal too. So he inspired me.”

Gadelha said she decided way back when she was 17 that she would go to law school and become like her uncle.

“I decided to go through law school so I could one day be part of the special forces,” she said. “Now when there are family parties we are both the big deal.”

But first, Gadelha has a big fight coming up. On June 3, she’ll square off with Karolina Kowalkiewicz at UFC 212 in Rio de Janiero.

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Published by rsarlat

Rick is a freelance writer based in Reading, Pa, one hour west of Philadelphia. He's covered hard news and sports for a variety of websites and print publications over the years, first cutting his teeth as a newshound for the Temple University student newspaper.

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