For real.

At least according to UFC superstar Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

Turns out, Joanna -- who's fighting Rose Namajunas at UFC 217 on Saturday -- is good friends with the Victoria's Secret model -- and notes that Lima has been doing hardcore boxing workouts for years and can REALLY throw hands.

And when a UFC champ like JJ gushes about someone's work ethic in the gym, you gotta respect that.

Joanna says Lima will likely never take a real fight because she makes too much money off her face -- but if she ever did get in the ring, she could definitely hold her own.