Gabi Garcia has had a very interesting year. The jiu jitsu phenom struggled through a bout of depression after back to back fights scheduled against the elderly but in a sign that tides might be turning she will be facing a 31 year old Russian Veronika Futina – Hand-To-Hand Combat Champion who has won the Russia Championship 4 times.

Futina also threw some doping allegations at Garcia – who was pinged by USADA for doping violations in 2014 after winning gi worlds.

 ”She has said some strong words for me, calling me a disgrace, that I’m not a good fighter and she will take my glory,” she continued. “I’m not used to this sh*t talking because I come from jiu-jitsu and we don’t have that there, but that fuels me. I wouldn’t want to fight an angry Gabi… not angry because we can’t put emotion in a fight, but I’ll look at her and remember everything she said.” Garcia told mmafighting

”She has made some heavy accusations, but the country that was banned [by the International Olympic Committee] was Russia, not Brazil (laughs). We’re both getting tested, and we’ll see who wins on May 12. I wouldn’t want to be in her spot (laughs).”

It’s unclear what kind of testing the two are going for as Rizin is not exactly known for frowning upon doping as evidenced by featuring Crocop, Wanderlei Silva and others with doping past.

Garcia also mentions the struggle of finding an opponent is real:

  “My division is only starting now, and I have to carry the weight of opening it. I deal well with pressure, but it’s a new sport for me as well. People have 20 amateur fights before turning pro, but I can’t do that in my division. (My opponents) have nothing to lose, that’s the danger. They know my game, and that’s why I’m trying new things to change my game a little bit. This fight will be good for me to show what I can do. There are a few good girls that want to fight me, heavier girls.”

She also clarified she’s not in it for the money:

 “When I talked about being depressed, it’s because I train hard and then they put you to do something you don’t expect. I never asked for easy fights in my life. I never fought for money. Money is consequence. I will always agree with anything they ask, but that’s not what I want. Now I can say ‘no’ to the opponents I don’t think are good for my career. Not that I’m choosing, but… I think my next opponent will be a good fight, a really tough opponent. I think it’s going to be good.”