Arizona won't pursue disciplinary action against Claudia Gadelha after post-fight punch

Claudia Gadelha

UFC strawweight Claudia Gadelha won’t be punished for punching Joanna Jedrzejczyk after the bell at this past Saturday’s UFC on FOX 13, according to the Arizona Boxing and MMA Commission.

ABMC Executive Director Matthew Valenzuela told MMAjunkie that Gadelha’s immediate apology – and Jedrzejczyk’s win – likely saved her from administrative action after the event at U.S. Airways Arena in Phoenix.

“(Jedrzejczyk) wasn’t hurt by anything (Gadelha) did,” Valenzuela said. “She won the fight. It was still wrong, but at the same time, there was nothing stated to myself that came back from the UFC.”

Valenzuela said he’d seen much more egregious behavior at previous events regulated by the commission and echoed UFC President Dana White, who said following the event that Gadelha’s behavior was mitigated by her apology immediately after the illegal blow.

Although some fans compared Gadelha to Paul Daley, who was cut by the UFC following a suckerpunch of Josh Koscheck after their fight at UFC 113, White said the situations were different.

“As soon as (Gadelha) did it to (Jedrzejczyk), she apologized to her,” White said. “She said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry,’ and she apologized. Those two had a war, they’re in the heat of battle, and (Jedrzejczyk) landed a kick, the bell rang, and then (Gadelha) hit her with a punch. And then she completely apologized for doing it. Totally different scenario.”

Gadelha was handed her first professional loss when judges ruled Jedrzejczyk the winner via split decision. The pair fought a highly competitive bout with Jedrzejczyk dropping the Brazilian in the first round and Gadelha bleeding from a cut opened by an accidental headbutt.

Jedrzejczyk (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) now may get the title shot targeted for Gadelha (12-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), according to White.

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 13, check out the UFC Events section of the site.