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Esparza responds to 'little brat' Gadelha's callout

Tim Heitman / USA TODAY

Carla Esparza isn't taking Claudia Gadelha's barbs lying down.

The former UFC strawweight champion issued a response to Gadelha's criticisms of her financial woes on Saturday. Esparza recently put her motorcycle up for sale in an effort to earn some admittedly needed scratch, which Gadelha saw as an opportunity to challenge her to a bout and gloat about her own cushy financial status.

In her pointed rebuttal, Esparza slammed the Brazilian for bailing on two previously scheduled meetings and condemned her purportedly petulant ways.

Related: Gadelha puts Esparza on blast over money woes

If I remember correctly, I showed up, weighed in, and stepped in the cage to fight you Claudia Gadelha TWO times. And YOU did not show up!!! The second time because you cut so much freaking weight that you went to the hospital. I also showed up on TUF 20 expecting to fight you (that makes it 3x), and again, YOU did not show up. Why?? Because you were too heavy to make the weight!!! Sorry if I walk around at 125lbs, and you get up to 155lbs. Too scared to fight people your own size??🤔 I've proven time after time I will show up to fight you, but just because you scream and cry like a little brat, does not mean you will bully me into your way. Trust me, the fight will happen. I wasn't scared to fight you then, I'm not scared to now. I haven't had a full camp in 2 years, so I think it's fair to ask for that. When I take this fight, I want to be at my best. I'm going in there to win.👊🏽 Cookie Monster out🍪 drops the mic 🎤

A photo posted by Carla (@carlaesparza1) on

"If I remember correctly, I showed up, weighed in, and stepped in the cage to fight you Claudia Gadelha two times," Esparza wrote. "And you did not show up! The second time because you cut so much freaking weight that you went to the hospital.

"I also showed up on 'TUF 20' expecting to fight you (that makes it 3x), and again, you did not show up. Why?? Because you were too heavy to make the weight! Sorry if I walk around at 125 lbs., and you get up to 155 lbs. Too scared to fight people your own size?"

True to Esparza's recollection, she and Gadelha were indeed slated to meet on two separate occasions while competing under the Invicta FC banner. "Claudinha" bowed out of what would have been her promotional debut at Invicta 4 due to injury, then again prior to Invicta 7, a bacterial infection in her intestines the culprit this time.

The pair were both tapped to compete for the UFC's inaugural strawweight title - which Esparza ended up capturing - on "TUF 20," but Gadelha signed directly with the promotion instead.

"Cookie Monster" went on to assure Gadelha they'd settle their beef in the Octagon, but not before she'd had a full training camp.

"I've proven time after time I will show up to fight you, but just because you scream and cry like a little brat, does not mean you will bully me into your way. Trust me, the fight will happen. I wasn't scared to fight you then, I'm not scared to now. I haven't had a full camp in two years, so I think it's fair to ask for that. When I take this fight, I want to be at my best. I'm going in there to win."

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