Miami, FL- The first couple of Combate Global Cristian Barraza and Gloria Bravo say it is all about team work in an effort to be successful in la jaula.

Having your significant other play so much of a critical role in your professional MMA career creates an exciting dynamic like no other. Often Bravo will corner Barraza and vice versa. Since that is the person you are in love with, “you have a little more faith in your corner,” Barraza added.

Barraza is married to fan-favorite Bravo. Both train together and have graced la Jaula together on the same night.

“For fight week, we work for each other. My goal is to make sure that [Cristian] is happy: make sure that he is well-fed, that he’s ready for any fight week commitments, and that his weight cut is going well,” Bravo interjected.

The couple will soon be competing in a future fight cared when Combate Global returns starting March 24.

Barraza has been with Combate Global since July 2021 and has made a name for himself due to his activity, amassing five total fights in the span of half a year. Barraza last fought in this past Copa Combate, where his run was cut short after facing Frans Mlambo, the tournament winner, in the semifinals.

This supportive role came into contention when both fought on the same night in July of 2021.

“Fighting in the same night as Gloria felt like complete chaos. There was a lot of pressure on our team too. They had to worry about not just two fighters, but two fighters that are also a couple. We do not recommend fighting on the same night as your significant other at all.”

This couple not only lives together, but they share the same workplace. Bravo and Barraza train together at the same gym, Black House Santiago.

“We like to train a lot together, but we arrived at a crossroads where we realized that there are some barriers. Cristian is a lot bigger and stronger; there is only so much I could help him out with. Couples need to take this into account; of course, it’s much different when you’re doing this as a hobby as opposed to training professionally,” Bravo added.

Barraza represents the Chilean spirit through and through, having been born and raised in Santiago.

“I’m very honored to be able to represent Chile. Whether I win or lose, representing Chile on such a prominent stage means a lot. Especially in events like Copa Combate where you’re the only one from your country fighting.”