Gabriel Gonzaga Youtube Videos
Gabriel Gonzaga Bio
Gabriel Gonzaga-Nogueira (Portuguese pronunciation: [É¡abɾiˈew ɡõˈzaÉ¡É]; born May 18, 1979), is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who currently competes for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is a former member of Chute Boxe Academy and now fights out of Ludlow, Massachusetts as a part of Team Link. Gonzaga won by a devastating head kick knockout at UFC 70 over MMA legend Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović on April 21, 2007, which earned him a Heavyweight title shot with former five-time UFC Champion and UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture. He won a gold medal in the Ultra Heavyweight division at the 2006 Mundials, which is considered to be the top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition in the world.
Mixed martial arts career
Gonzaga's Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) record is currently 13-6-0 and 8-5-0 in the UFC. He made his MMA debut on April 4, 2003 in Santos, Brazil against Cicero Costa, winning via submission due to punches in the first round.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
He made his UFC debut at UFC 56, knocking out Kevin Jordan at 4:39 of the third round. However, Gonzaga had noted that his debut did not come without complications. Weeks before the fight, his pregnant wife started having complications with her pregnancy and lost one of the twins she was carrying. Gonzaga's obligations to his wife during her high risk pregnancy left him unable to train properly.
Gonzaga would later return at UFC 60 and win against Fabiano Scherner via TKO at the second round. At UFC 66 he would defeat Carmelo Marrero in the first round by armbar.
At UFC 70, Gonzaga knocked out Mirko "Crocop" Filipovic with a head kick, ironically Filipovic's own signature move. With the win, Gonzaga became the next contender for UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy "The Natural" Couture.
At UFC 74, Gonzaga lost to Randy Couture by TKO at the 1:37 mark of the third round.
Gonzaga returned to the Octagon to face the only man that had beaten him prior to the Randy Couture fight Fabricio Werdum at UFC 80, losing once again via TKO in the second round.
Gonzaga also fought at UFC 86 against Justin McCully. Early in the first round, McCully fell to the ground due to a powerful leg kick from Gonzaga. Gonzaga took to McCully's half guard, quickly passing to the mount position and winning by first round submission with an Americana from the mount.
At UFC 91 Gonzaga knocked out newcomer Josh Hendricks with a right hand at 1:01 of the first round.
Gonzaga then faced undefeated Heavyweight prospect Shane Carwin at UFC 96. In the first 30 seconds, Gonzaga caught Carwin with an uppercut and two left-handed punches, breaking his nose. The fight went to the ground, but Carwin quickly fought his way to his feet. Against the fence, Carwin pushed Gonzaga away and threw an overhand right that knocked Gonzaga out. The referee called the match at 69 seconds of round 1, handing Gonzaga his fourth loss.
At UFC 102 Gonzaga defeated Chris Tuchscherer via TKO at 2:27 of the first round. The fight, however, was controversial, as Gonzaga landed an illegal low blow that hurt Tuchsherer very badly. While Tuchsherer was able to continue after taking a full five minute rest, Gonzaga landed a powerful head kick and continued to dominate the rest of the fight, eventually finishing via strikes.
Gonzaga was set to fight Junior dos Santos at UFC 108, however it was reported that he had pulled out of the fight due to a staph infection.
The fight between Gonzaga and dos Santos eventually took place on March 21, 2010 at UFC LIVE: Vera vs. Jones, with Gonzaga losing via knockout in the first round.
Gonzaga was defeated by Brendan Schaub on October 23, 2010 at UFC 121 by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the fight 30-27 after Gonzaga was out-struck throughout all three rounds by Schaub. This was also the first bout in Gonzaga's professional career to go the distance.
Following the loss to Schaub, Gonzaga was released from the promotion. During his time in the UFC he posted a 7-5 record.
Post UFC
On his Twitter account, Gonzaga stated that he would only compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as of now. Recently on his Facebook page a fan asked him if he will still compete in MMA. He replied back, "Maybe". Gonzaga returned to action against Reality Fighting heavyweight champion Parker Porter. Gonzaga fought Porter on October 8 where he submitted him with an arm triangle choke in the third round, winning the Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship.
Return to the UFC
It was announced that Gonzaga recently signed a new, four fight contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In his return bout, he faced Ednaldo Oliveira at UFC 142, replacing an injured Rob Broughton. Gonzaga won the fight via submission in the first round.
Gabriel Gonzaga was expected to face Shane del Rosario at UFC 146 on May 26, 2012. Gabriel was pulled from the bout against Shane Del Rosario replacing Antonio Silva who was originally scheduled to fight against Roy Nelson. Gonzaga later was forced out of the bout against Roy Nelson because of an injury; therefore, Gonzaga was then replaced by Dave Herman.
Grappling credentials
ADCC Submission Wrestling Championships
Record of opponents:
- Won: Mustapha al-Turk (pts), Ricco Rodriguez (pts), Marcio Cruz (pts), Eduardo Telles (pts)
- Lost: Jeff Monson (pts), Xande Ribeiro (sub)
2006 Winner CBJJO Copa Do Mundo Black Belt Pesadissimo Winner CBJJ Mundials Black Belt Pesadissimo
2005 2nd CBJJO Copa Do Mundo Black Belt Pesadissimo 3rd CBJJO Copa Do Mundo Black Belt Absolute 2nd place ADCC +99 kg
2003 2nd CBJJO Copa Do Mundo Black Belt Pesadissimo 2nd CBJJO Copa Do Mundo Black Belt Absolute
2000 3rd Mundials black belt Super-Pesado
Personal life
Gonzaga and his wife have a daughter and a son. They currently live in Ludlow, Massachusetts.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed Martial Arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Knockout of the Night (One time)
- Fight of the Night (One time)
- FIGHT! Magazine
- Knockout of the Year (2007) vs. Mirko Filipović on April 21
- Inside Fights
- Knockout of the Year (2007) vs. Mirko Filipović on April 21
- Reality Fighting
- Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship (One time, Current)
Mixed martial arts record
See also
- List of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners
External links
- Official site Gabriel "Napão" Gonzaga
- Professional MMA record for Gabriel Gonzaga from Sherdog
- Team Link Website
- UFC Profile
MMA Shirts
