Gabriel Gonzaga
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Brazil
2004 Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Mundials winner Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga (born May 18, 1979) made his Mixed Martial Arts debut on April 2, 2003 with a submission win over Cicero Cicero. Continuing to fight in small shows held in his native Brazil, Gonzaga then faced UFC veteran Brandon Lee Hinkle, beating him with a first round Triangle Choke.
"Napao", which literally translated means "Big Nose" is slang for someone who is a natural or very intuitive, next took a match with world-renowned grappler Fabricio Werdum. It would be Gabriel's first loss, the top ten ranked Werdum overcoming Gonzaga with strikes in the third round.
Getting back on track with a submission over Charlie Brown (don't worry, Snoopy was unharmed) started a win streak for Gonzaga that would eventually reach six in a row. The next challenge for "Napao" was Walter Farias against whom he scored his second straight submission win.
UFC Career
After a layoff of over a year, Gabe made his first Octagon appearance at UFC 56 - Full Force. Gonzaga's win streak continued to build when he knocked out Kevin Jordan, putting the UFC Heavyweight division on notice. "Napao" bettered Fabiano Scherner, defeating him by TKO, during his second UFC performance.
A clash with the undefeated wrestler Carmelo Marrero, who was coming off of a high-profile upset against Cheick Kongo, would be forthcoming. On December, 30, 2006, the 6-0 Marrero stepped into the cage with 7-1 Gonzaga only to be mauled in a what would prove to be a Jiu-jitsu clinic put on by "Napao". It took only 3:22 for Gabriel to lock on a fight-ending Armbar.
Mirko Cro Cop, widely considered the top contender to champion Randy Couture's title, stood in Gonzaga's path to his own shot at the belt. With the label of number one contender on the line, Cro Cop and "Napao" were set to meet in a contest that would later prove to be both iconic and ironic. Gonzaga executed his strategy perfectly initially pressing Mirko and taking the Croatian to the mat. After stunning Cro Cop with some ground and pound elbows, the referee stood the two men up. By successfully feinting a shoot "Napao" caused Mirko to drop his guard, and then knocked Crop Cop out cold with a destructive right kick to the head, beating Mirko at his own high-kicking game.
Gabriel then set his sights on Couture, and the championship. Unfortunately the combination of an accidental headbutt breaking Gonzaga's nose, and the considerable talents of "The Natural" proved too much to overcome. The memorable battle, which earned both men Fight of the Night honors, ended with a third round TKO victory for Randy Couture.
Gonzaga was then thwarted in his comeback effort by, again losing by TKO to Fabricio Werdum. Justin McCully, however, was not so lucky when he faced "Napao", losing by way of Americana.
The ever-dangerous Gonzaga is now slated to face the 14-4 Josh Hendricks at UFC 91 in November of 2008.
Mixed martial arts record
9-3
| 12 matches | 9 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 3 |
| By submission | 6 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 0 |
| Draws | 0 | |
Gallery
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