Julia
Polastri is intent on making her mark in the mixed martial arts
world.
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Hailing from the Gramacho neighborhood in the municipality of Duque
de Caxias, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Polastri has not only
captured titles in significant national events but has also become
the latest signing for the UFC through Dana White’s Contender
Series, fulfilling a dream that has been rooted in her heart since
the beginning of her career.
Polastri’s journey is marked by determination, sacrifice and a
passion for MMA. She started her career in muay thai and quickly
transitioned to MMA with a clear goal: to fight in the UFC, the
largest MMA organization in the world. Over the years, Polastri
worked tirelessly to achieve her dream.
Today, Polastri boasts an impressive record of 12-3 in her MMA
career. One of those losses occurred in her first appearance on the
Contender Series, but she didn’t let it deter her. Polastri
continued to train diligently, and after three consecutive wins,
including winning the belt for Legacy Fighting Alliance, she
received the long-awaited call from Dana White.
However, the path to the UFC was not easy for Polastri. She faced
the challenges of being a high-performance athlete in Brazil, where
the costs associated with training and maintaining her career are
high. That’s when Polastri had a unique idea to supplement her
income: selling truffles on the trains in Rio de Janeiro.
Every Saturday, Polastri starts her day early on the Saracuruna
line, carrying truffles made by her coach and boyfriend, Douglas
Bastos. The sale of truffles has become a crucial source of
financial support for the fighter, allowing her to maintain her
independence and focus on her MMA career.
“Today, I can sustain my life with truffles — rent, electricity,
and water,” she said. “We split between the truffles and the money
the gym makes from classes, and thankfully, it’s what has been
supporting us and, most importantly, funding an athlete’s life
without lacking anything for me.”
Signing with the UFC is a milestone in Polastri’s career, and she
is determined to give her best in every fight.
“Certainly, I feel a dream come true, and now I have to give my
best every time I step into the octagon,” she said. “We are working
hard so that I don’t disappoint, and with every fight, I improve
more and more. My direct focus has always been the UFC, and now I
don’t want to leave.”