Gadelha puts Esparza on blast over money woes

Claudia Gadelha isn't pulling any punches in her mission to get a fight with Carla Esparza.

The two-time strawweight title contender has been calling for a bout with Esparza since a win over Cortney Casey this past November, and she took to Instagram on Saturday to elaborate on the demand.

"What a weak fighter Carla is," Gadelha wrote. "She doesn't want to fight the best, she makes excuses so she can get an easy fight ... Now she is still refusing to fight me. You want money little girl? Step in the Octagon and fight."

Gadelha brought up the topic of money because of a recent Instagram post from Esparza in which she offered to sell a Harley Davidson motorcycle that she received as a prize for winning "The Ultimate Fighter 20" so that she can afford to pay her bills:

The post drew attention from the MMA sphere due to the fact that Esparza was a UFC champion as recently as two years ago and proper compensation for the promotion's fighters remains a divisive topic. Gadelha scoffed at Esparza's financial woes in her response.

"I have the cars I want, two houses and money in the bank at 27-years-old. You know why? Because I accept challenges," Gadelha wrote. "I fought twice in the last 6 months and I didn't choose none of my fights and I will never choose. I lost my fight for the title with pride and I was not waiting for a easy fight to get back in the win column.

"I was out for a year before fight for the title and you are talking about eight months out? The first thing I said when I talked to the matchmakers was: Please give me somebody in the top-5! You can find excuses and run but you won't disappear, I will see you soon."

Esparza recently returned from a year-long hiatus this past April to defeat Juliana Lima by unanimous decision. Both Esparza and Gadelha have been unsuccessful in title fights against current champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk.