World champion Sabrina Gondim: “I want the best matches, against the best athletes”
In an exclusive interview with VF Comunica, the Brazilian says beating Mia Funegra and Gabrielle McComb at Worlds raised her confidence and that she does not pick opponents; in November, she returns to The Crown
Sabrina Gondim is in the best stretch of her career. The 2026 featherweight world champion, a 27-year-old from Paraíba, Brazil, won the title in Long Beach after beating two world champions in the same bracket, Mia Funegra and Gabrielle McComb. In an exclusive interview with VF Comunica, she said what those wins changed.
“After beating two world champions to become one myself, the confidence goes up, no doubt. Today I am a much more experienced athlete, more mature, and I know my strengths and weaknesses better,” she said.
Four matches without giving up a point
Her run in Long Beach had four matches and no points scored against her. Gondim beat Mia Funegra in the quarterfinals and Gabrielle McComb in the final, both 3-0. The title came less than two weeks after she took a UFC BJJ title match against Cassia Moura on short notice and was submitted. It also came after a long recovery: the Fight Sports black belt tore ligaments in her knee and had two surgeries before returning to competition.
The run continued last weekend. On Sunday, October 4, in New Jersey, she won the Pan No-Gi, also at featherweight, beating Cindy Ung in the final by one advantage.
“I am ready for anyone”
In the interview, Gondim also talked about how she chooses her matches. She said how hard the opponent is does not factor in.
“I respect all my opponents, but I don’t pick a match thinking about who is easier or harder. I want the best matches, against the best athletes, and I am ready for anyone who shows up,” she said.
Next stop: The Crown
The next test already has a date. On November 8, Gondim competes at The Crown, at the Long Beach Pyramid, in the lightweight bracket, one division above the one where she is world champion. The bracket includes Janaína Lebre, the current lightweight world champion, who submitted her in the quarterfinals of the 2025 edition.
Who do you want to see against Sabrina Gondim at The Crown? Leave your opinion in the comments.
