Daughter of photographers, she worked as a photo model from a young age. Glória was 17 years old and experiencing the pressure of being a third-year high school student when she started training muay thai with her mother to improve her physical conditioning. She liked it so much that she left the entrance exam in the background and started to take the sport more seriously.[3]
The passion rose the first time she watched a UFC event from the stands. In August 2015, she tracked Ronda Rousey knocking out Bethe Correia in just 34 seconds and defending the UFC bantamweight belt. Glória left the event in Rio de Janeiro determined to become an MMA fighter.[3]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
She went 4–2, with both of her losses coming to members of the UFC Arienne Carnelossi and Isabella de Padua by way of judges’ decisions, before being invited to Dana White's Contender Series.[4]
Dana White's Contender Series
de Paula was initially scheduled to face Pauline Macias at Dana White's Contender Series 34 on November 3, 2020. However, de Paula tested positive for COVID-19 and the bout was rescheduled to take place at Dana White's Contender Series 36 on November 17, 2020.[5] She won the fight via unanimous decision and was awarded a UFC contract.[6]
Gloria de Paula made her sophomore appearance against Cheyanne Vlismas at UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland on July 31, 2021. She lost the bout via first-round ground-and-pound technical knockout after she was knocked down by a head kick.[9]
De Paula faced Maria Oliveira on June 18, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 37.[12] She lost the bout via split decision.[13] 7 out of 13 media scores gave it to De Paula.[14]
On June 23, 2022, it was announced that De Paula was not re-signed and no longer on the UFC roster.[15]
Post UFC
De Paula faced Karolina Wójcik on November 16, 2022, at Invicta FC 50 in the Strawweight tournament semifinal, losing via unanimous decision.[16]
De Paula made her LFA debut at LFA 190 against fellow UFC veteran Ashley Yoder on August 23, 2024.[17] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[18]
Personal life
De Paula is in a relationship with fellow mixed martial artist Mayra Bueno Silva.[19]