Julia Polastri first stepped into Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2021 but fell short against Jasmine Jasudavicius. Refusing to give up, she sharpened her skills in other promotions before returning to DWCS in 2023, where she defeated Patricia Alujas to earn her long-awaited ticket to the UFC. By 2024, her persistence paid off. 

Polastri officially signed with the UFC. No one seemed prouder than her partner, Douglas Bastos, who celebrated her achievement online. “The time has come to reap the fruits of your labor. We will show the Cwb Fighter style to the world again, now inside the biggest MMA stage in the world,” he wrote on Instagram. But who exactly is Douglas Bastos?

Meet Douglas Bastos, Julia Polastri’s partner & coach

Since joining the UFC, Julia Polastri hasn’t exactly had the best record. She is currently 2-1 in the UFC, but Douglas Bastos hasn’t left her side. Behind all of Polastri’s success stands her partner and coach, Douglas Bastos, the man who’s been by her side through every struggle and success. Bastos is a dedicated mixed martial artist himself and has not only trained Polastri but has also shared in the daily sacrifices that have fueled her dream.

Together, they have built a partnership founded on hard work, mutual respect, and relentless belief in each other. When financial challenges threatened Polastri’s path in the past, Bastos came up with a creative solution. He made homemade truffles to help sustain their lives and fund her fight career. Polastri recalls taking those truffles to sell on Rio de Janeiro’s Saracuruna train line every Saturday. 

“We split between the truffles and the money the gym makes from classes,” she said. “Thankfully, it’s what has been supporting us and, most importantly, funding an athlete’s life without lacking anything for me.” For Bastos, he intends to go beyond coaching, as he helped build a life with Polastri. 

Polastri often expresses her gratitude for him publicly, writing after her UFC debut: “Yeah, for two crazy people who came out of nowhere, until we got there, right?! … Thank you for everything you do and always wanting to see my best.” Despite her gratitude and hard work, ‘Psycho’ Polastri has a tough test ahead.

Karolina Kowalkiewicz believes the third time’s the charm

Karolina Kowalkiewicz is hoping the saying ‘third time’s a charm’ will work out for her as she prepares to return to Rio de Janeiro for her next fight against Julia Polastri on October 12. Despite suffering two losses in the Brazilian city, the Polish veteran remains optimistic. “Maybe it sounds funny, but I really feel good in Rio de Janeiro,” she said with a laugh. 

“I really like Brazil because my whole team is Brazilian. I have a lot of Brazilian friends. I feel very good here, and I hope this time I will win this fight.” After losing to Claudia Gadelha in 2017 and Iasmin Lucindo in 2024, Kowalkiewicz is once again facing a young Brazilian opponent. “When I got this offer, I was like, ‘What? Again? Why don’t you like me? C’mon guys! Again, Brazil? Again, a young Brazilian girl?’” she joked. 

Confident after a strong camp at American Top Team, she added, “I want to prove something to myself. I am here for a third time; I can do this!”

It appears both women are primed and ready for the test ahead. Only time will tell whether Polastri’s hard work with her partner will prevail over the veteran Karolina Kowalkiewicz. Who are you betting on?