In mixed martial arts, there are fighters with a very strange career. In the list of their achievements, victories over the strongest opponents alternate with losses to outright outsiders. Such is Gabriel Gonzaga - a Brazilian who achieved some success, but failed to develop it.
Carier start
In the childhood and youth of this fighter there was nothing incredibly complicated and interesting. Like many young Brazilians of strong physique, he went into martial arts to avoid poverty. Young Gabriel leaned into the section of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and soon achieved impressive success. The coaches highly appreciated the “tenacity” and dexterity of their new ward - grabbing an opponent, he wouldn’t let that go. Soon, Gabriel Gonzaga received the mark of highest achievement - a black belt.
Several fights in amateur organizations followed. The most striking achievement was the victory over Fabrice Werdum, the future UFC champion, as part of the Jungle Fight. A promising fighter was spotted at the UFC and signed into the planet's most prestigious promotion. There he represented the Team Link team, famous for the masters of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Gabriel Gonzaga's first fight in the UFC
In his first battle, the Brazilian managed to surprise the audience and the leadership of the promotion. Everyone expected from him long and “viscous” battles in the stalls, but everything went wrong. Gonzaga knocked out Kevin Jodang against him, proving his right to represent the planet’s most prestigious league.
This achievement becomes even more striking, given that at that time Gabriel Gonzaga was in an extremely difficult emotional state - not so long ago his pregnant wife almost died.
Continued success in the octagon
The second fight was also won by TKO. In the third battle, Gonzaga demonstrated his skills in jujitsu, forcing the opponent to surrender in the first round.
And the Brazilian gets a chance of his life. He is ready to be accepted as one of the best of the best - you only need to defeat the octagon veteran, the Croat Croko Filipovich Mirko. “Cro Cop” is a famous fighter who defeated many rivals in different leagues. His main trick was a kick to the head, with which the Croat literally swept away the opponents.
Gabriel Gonzaga approached the preparation with all seriousness. For many days he studied the style of his future rival and soon found a “key” to him. The battle turned out to be short-lived, but enchanting. The Brazilian did not begin to use the fight - instead, he already in the first round gave the opponent a surprise, using his signature kick in the head. “Cro Cop” collapsed, as if undercut, being in a deep knockout.
Yes, Mirko Fillipovich lost before, but never. Stunning prospects opened up before the Brazilian. Alas, he never took advantage of them.
Career problems
The next was a fight for the champion belt with another veteran - Randy Couture. Gonzaga lost by technical knockout, but kept up well and won the award for "Best fight of the evening." Then another defeat followed - from Fabriceu Werdum, whom Gabriel had once defeated. Behind him - victories over little-known rivals and defeat to Shane Karvin ...
Career went downhill. Gonzaga lost to all the “tops,” although once he managed to force experienced Ben Rothwell to surrender. It should also be noted a strange battle with the Russian Konstantin Erokhin. The battle of “Konstantin Erokhin vs Gabriel Gonzaga” became one of the most boring in the history of the UFC and ended with the victory of the Brazilian by unanimous decision. After there was a defeat in revenge Mirko Fillipovich and a complete sunset career.
It is not known for certain what the Brazilian station wagon intends to do further. One thing is clear - he missed something in preparation for the battles and can no longer demonstrate the same skills that he once showed. Maybe it's fighting age?