BJJ champion, Talita expects to repeat the feat in MMA. Photo: Ivan Trindade.

After male Jiu-Jitsu big names migrated to MMA in search of new challenges in the sport, now it is the girl’s time. With the arrival of strong female divisions in MMA, changing athletes to fight in gloves could not be different, and the great opportunities begin to appear. The lucky one now is Talita “Treta” Nogueira, Jiu-Jitsu  black belt world champion that after acting a few times in MMA had signed a contract with Bellator this week.

GRACIEMAG contacted the fierce Talita, and she proved to be extremely excited about the new phase of her career in Bellator. Undefeated in MMA with six wins, four by submission, Treta told how she received the news and what awaits the new venture:

“I was very happy with the news of being part of a major MMA event. The plan was to get down to 61kg and try to get in the UFC, but when the chance to go to Bellator in my current category 66kg showed up, my manager Stefano Sartori and I chose to keep me in this weight division where I feel stronger and confident. I never had to hurry in my life, taking a step at a time, and this is another step, ” said Talita.

The athlete, 28, is accustomed to the pace of competition. However, still not many girls in female Bellator featherweight division recently inaugurated, the interval between fights can be extensive. Therefore, Talita is not thinking about leaving the mat, despite being focused on MMA:

“I want to be more than prepared and give my best. I know Jiu-Jitsu can save me but my standup has to be up to date as well. I love competing in Jiu-Jitsu, but the focus now is MMA. I do not intend to abandon the BJJ championships, even the biggest ones. If I’m not in a camp to fight, I will definitely wear the kimono. My life is Jiu-Jitsu. If I’m well trained, a championship is always welcome, “said the champion.

Dear reader, what do you expect of the Jiu-Jitsu champion in her career in Bellator? Comment here!

Antonio Peinado. Photo: Carlos Ozório

At São Paulo international airport, before taking off for California, where the Jiu-Jitsu Pan-American is to take place, Antonio “Batista” Peinado contacted GRACIEMAG.com on Wednesday: “I’m about to embark to go throw some weight around with the big guys. Whoever’s there to watch will have a lot of fun. Alliance is coming at full force,” warned the black belt, who will enter ultraheavyweight action.

“There’s a good gang in the division. I saw Big Mac and Gabriel Vella at weight; two tough fighters,” he remarked.

Gabriel Vella, now on Ryan Gracie team, is a former training partner of Peinado’s at Alliance. At the time of the conversation, the fighter had not yet seen the brackets. Should he make it past Asa Fuller, his next match will be against the very Vella.

“If we cross paths in the bracket, we’ll have to fight. But he trains with us, is good people and he’s always been 100% with me. He helped me a lot. We’ve helped each other out a lot. We’ve trained together a lot, even when I was still a brown belt. But we have to maintain our professionalism and fight, regardless of who the opponent is. That’s what we train for,” he said.

After the Pan, Peinado returns to Brazil, where he will get no down time before preparing for his upcoming challenges.

“I’ll compete at the Pan; that’s what I’m focused on. After that I’ll return to Brazil and continue my preparations for the Brazilian Nationals and Worlds. My goals are the IBJJF and CBJJ championships,” he says in closing.

To check out all the brackets at the Pan, click here.