Gezary Matuda is fresh of her victory at Worlds 2016 in the Women’s upto 53kg category. Just recently she was headlining an exciting training camp in Switzerland with Mackenzie Dern but as this interview will reveal, she has more plans for 2016.

Matuda spoke to Tatame :

On challenges in 2016 

After the Pan Ams I fought in Polaris 3 which ended in a draw because there was no submission… This result was not what I expected and just gave me more experience and will to win the World IBJJF this year.

On growth of Jiu-Jitsu among females worldwide:

No doubt, both the technical level and the number of registered athletes is amazing. I previously fought in brown and black belt merged division because they only had so many girls enrolled. Today, there’s no easy categories. Jiu-Jitsu continues to evolve and is happily growing every day among more women.

On the type of athlete who inspires her gentle art

I like offensive players, who are looking to finish all the time. I get inspired in the people who are with me in my day to day, my teachers and training partners. I see how hard they work and it inspires me to always try to do my best. And I do not forget where I came from and know where I want to get help and also that things happen.

On possible transition into MMA:

This change is so close and so fat at the same time. Training at American Top Tim, which is a top gym for MMA, with several current champions. In my routine I train with more than 5 fighters from the UFC (Amanda Nunes, Nina Ansaroff, Jessica Aguilar, Tecia Torres and Valerie Letourneau). My husband is a headcoach for Muay Thai and responsible for most UFC fighters, then again I do have all the necessary support but at the same time I dedicate much to my passion, which is jiu-jitsu so we’ll see what the future holds. I’m in no hurry to make the transition.

Quick finish by Gezary Matuda at Polaris 2:

You can read the whole interview with Gezary at  Tatame.