Gabriel Gonzaga: from dawn to dusk career

In mixed martial arts there are fighters with a very strange career. In the list of their achievements, victories over the strongest opponents are alternated with losses to outright outsiders. This is Gabriel Gonzaga, a Brazilian who has achieved some success, but has not managed to develop it.

Carier start

In the childhood and youth of this fighter there was nothing incredibly complex and interesting. Like many young Brazilians of solid build, he went into combat to avoid poverty. Young Gabriel moved to the section of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and soon achieved impressive success. The trainers appreciated the "tenacity" and dexterity of their new ward - grabbing an opponent, he did not let go of that one. Soon Gabriel Gonzaga received a sign of his highest achievement - a black belt.

There followed several fights in amateur organizations. The most striking achievement was the victory over Fabrice Verdeum, the future UFC champion, in the framework of the Jungle Fight. A prospective fighter was noticed in the UFC and signed into the most prestigious promotion of the planet. There he represented the team Team Link, known by the masters of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The first fight of Gabriel Gonzaga in the UFC

In his first battle, the Brazilian managed to surprise the audience and the leadership of the promotion. Everyone expected long and "viscous" battles in the stalls, but everything went wrong. Gonzaga knocked out Kevin Jodang against him, proving the right to represent the most prestigious league of the planet.

This achievement becomes even more striking, considering that at that time Gabriel Gonzaga was in an extremely difficult emotional state - not so long ago his pregnant wife nearly died.

Continuation of success in the octagon

The second fight was also won by technical knockout. In the third battle, Gonzaga demonstrated his skills in jujitsu, forcing the opponent to surrender in the first round.

And now the Brazilian gets a chance of his life. He is ready to be among the best of the best - you only need to defeat veteran Octagon, Croatian Mirko "Cro Cop" Phillipovich. "Cro Cop" - a famous fighter, winning many rivals in different leagues. His main technique was a kick to the head, which the Croat literally swept away the opponents.

Gabriel Gonzaga went to the preparation in all seriousness. For many days he studied the style of his future opponent and soon found a "key" to him. The battle turned out to be short-lived, but enchanting. The Brazilian did not use the fight - instead he already presented a surprise to the opponent in the first round, using his own kick to the head. "Cro Cop" collapsed like a knuckle, being in deep knockout.

Yes, Mirko Phillipovich was losing before, but this way - never. Before the Brazilian opened a terrific prospect. Alas, he did not use them.

Career problems

Next was the battle for the champion's belt with another veteran - Randy Couture. Gonzaga lost a technical knockout, but kept well and was awarded a prize for "The best fight of the evening." Then followed another defeat - from Fabriceu Verdum, whom Gabriel once defeated. Behind him - the victory over little-known rivals and the defeat of Shane Karvin ...

Career went downhill. To all "tops" Gonzaga lost, although one day he managed to force the surrender of the experienced Ben Rothwell. Also it should be noted a strange fight with the Russian Konstantin Erokhin. The battle "Constantine Erohin vs Gabriel Gonzaga" became one of the most boring in the history of the UFC and ended with a Brazilian victory by a unanimous decision. After there was a defeat in the rematch of Mirko Filipovich and a full sunset career.

For certain it is not known what the Brazilian station wagon intends to do next. Clearly one thing - he missed something in the preparation for the battles and can no longer demonstrate the same skills that he once showed. Maybe this is a fighting age?