Jorge Valente Gurgel (/ˈɡɜːrɡəl/;[dubiousdiscuss] Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈʒɔʁʒi ɡuʁˈʒew]; born January 25, 1977) is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist who competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor from 2002 to 2014, Gurgel is best known as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 2 and for his career with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Strikeforce.

Jorge Gurgel
Jorge Gurgel, Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter.
BornSilvio Jorge Valente Gurgel
(1977-01-25) January 25, 1977 (age 47)
Fortaleza, Brazil
Other namesJ.G.
ResidenceCincinnati OH, United States
NationalityBrazilian
American
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight154 lb (70 kg; 11.0 st)
DivisionLightweight (2002-2015)
Welterweight (2005)
Reach69.0
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofWest Chester, Ohio, United States
TeamThe JG MMA academy
Rank  Fifth degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active2000-2014
Mixed martial arts record
Total24
Wins14
By knockout1
By submission9
By decision4
Losses10
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision6
Websitehttp://www.jgmma.com
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Gurgel is originally from Fortaleza, Brazil, where he earned a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Marcus Aurélio.[1] Gurgel immigrated to the United States as an exchange student in high school.[2] Remaining to attend Wright State University he soon became an American citizen.[3] While in school, Gurgel worked full-time teaching Brazilian jiu-jitsu evenings, waiting and busing tables late at night/early afternoons, and going to class in the morning. Since college, Gurgel has been training and teaching full-time.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

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Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Gurgel starred in the second season of The Ultimate Fighter television series and was eliminated from the show in the fifth episode due to a loss to Jason Von Flue via unanimous decision, but showed tremendous heart by fighting with a blown ACL.

Gurgel's match with Diego Saraiva at UFC 73 was designated as the "Fight of the Night" by the UFC.[4] In the contest, Gurgel defeated Saraiva by unanimous decision, even though he was badly injured during the fight.[4] He was hospitalized afterward, due to a broken jaw and the presence of blood in his urine.[4]

After his loss to Aaron Riley, Gurgel was released from the UFC.[5] Gurgel was heavily criticized throughout his seven-fight run in the UFC for not displaying Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills in his fights. A third degree Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, the 35-year-old has generally elected to slug it out on his feet.

Strikeforce

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Gurgel made his Strikeforce debut on June 19, 2009, defeating Conor Heun via unanimous decision.

Gurgel faced Billy Evangelista on November 6, 2009 at Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista losing via unanimous decision.

Gurgel faced former EliteXC Lightweight Champion K. J. Noons at Strikeforce: Houston and lost by knockout 19 seconds into the second round. There was controversy surrounding this fight due to an apparent late punch by Noons at the end of the first round that dropped and stunned Gurgel and an illegal knee by Noons during the barrage of strikes prior to the referee stoppage.

Gurgel submitted Billy Vaughan in just 44 seconds via guillotine choke at Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson on March 5, 2011.[6]

Gurgel headlined Strikeforce Challengers 18 on August 12, 2011, against fellow Ultimate Fighter alumni Joe Duarte[7] Gurgel lost by a unanimous decision.

Gurgel faced Adriano Martins at Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine on January 12, 2013, he lost via unanimous decision.

Titan Fighting Championship

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Gurgel fought former UFC fighter Mike Ricci at Titan FC 27 on February 28, 2014. He lost by first-round TKO. Gurgel has now lost 7 of his last 9 fights.[8]

On September 16, 2014, Gurgel announced his retirement from MMA competition.[9]

Coaching

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Gurgel owns the JG MMA and Fitness Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio, Gurgel has trained known fighters such as Rich Franklin, Justin Edwards, Zoila Frausto, Dustin Hazelett, Jason Butcher, and Sean Salmon.

Personal life

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Gurgel married female MMA fighter Zoila Frausto on February 19, 2011.[10] The two have since separated.

Championships and accomplishments

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Brazilian jiu-jitsu

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  • NAGA SuperFight Champion[1]
  • Six-time Brazilian State Champion

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
24 matches14 wins10 losses
By knockout12
By submission92
By decision46
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss14–10Mike RicciTKO (punches and elbows)Titan Fighting Championship 27February 28, 201413:57Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Loss14–9Adriano MartinsDecision (unanimous)Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. SaffiedineJanuary 12, 201335:00Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States
Loss14–8Joe DuarteDecision (unanimous)Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. DuarteAugust 12, 201135:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win14–7Billy VaughanSubmission (guillotine choke)Strikeforce: Feijao vs. HendersonMarch 5, 201110:44Columbus, Ohio, United States
Loss13–7K. J. NoonsKO (punches)Strikeforce: HoustonAugust 21, 201020:19Houston, Texas, United States
Loss13–6Billy EvangelistaDecision (unanimous)Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. EvangelistaNovember 6, 200935:00Fresno, California, United StatesCatchweight at 160 lb.
Win13–5Conor HeunDecision (unanimous)Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. CyborgJune 19, 200935:00Kent, Washington, United StatesCatchweight at 160 lb.
Loss12–5Aaron RileyDecision (unanimous)UFC 91November 15, 200835:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesFight of the Night.
Loss12–4Cole MillerSubmission (triangle choke)UFC 86July 5, 200834:48Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win12–3John HalversonDecision (unanimous)UFC 82March 1, 200835:00Columbus, Ohio, United States
Loss11–3Alvin RobinsonDecision (unanimous)UFC 77October 20, 200735:00Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Win11–2Diego SaraivaDecision (unanimous)UFC 73July 7, 200735:00Sacramento, California, United StatesFight of the Night.
Win10–2Danny AbbadiDecision (split)UFC 63: Hughes vs. PennSeptember 23, 200635:00Anaheim, California, United States
Loss9–2Mark HominickDecision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night 5June 28, 200635:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win9–1Jason IrelandSubmission (guillotine choke)KOTC 48: PaybackFebruary 25, 200532:25Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Win8–1Joe JordanSubmission (guillotine choke)Extreme Challenge 56March 26, 200411:55Medina, Minnesota, United States
Win7–1Gin MinajevSubmission (guillotine choke)Extreme Challenge 56March 26, 200431:00Medina, Minnesota, United States
Win6–1Steve KinnisonSubmission (guillotine choke)Freestyle Fighting Championships 8March 5, 200421:08Biloxi, Mississippi, United States
Loss5–1Masakazu ImanariSubmission (heel hook)ZST: Grand Prix Opening RoundNovember 23, 200310:32Tokyo, Japan
Win5–0Luke SpencerTKO (submission to punches)Absolute Combat Challenge 1July 19, 200331:55Canton, Ohio, United StatesWon the Absolute Combat Challenge Lightweight Championship.
Win4–0Justin JamesSubmission (armbar)VFC 4: WildcardApril 19, 200313:51Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States
Win3–0Gin MinajevSubmission (guillotine choke)ICC 1: RetributionJanuary 12, 200312:18Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win2–0Calib CarrSubmission (armbar)UW: St. Cloud 2March 16, 200210:18St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States
Win1–0Elvin RodriguezSubmission (armbar)UW: St. Cloud 2March 16, 200211:10St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Jorge Gurgel". ohiomma.com. 2011-03-07. Archived from the original on 2011-06-20. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
  2. ^ a b "Jorge Gurgel MMA - Home". Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
  3. ^ "Biographies - the Ultimate Fighter".
  4. ^ a b c "Little new after UFC 73", The Winnipeg Sun, published July 9, 2007, accessed July 10, 2007.
  5. ^ "Jorge Gurgel "heartbroken" over his release from the UFC". mmajunkie.com. 2008-11-27. Archived from the original on 2011-04-25. Retrieved 2011-03-07.
  6. ^ "Billy Vaughan Tapped to Face Jorge Gurgel This Saturday at Strikeforce". MMAFighting.com. 2011-03-02. Retrieved 2010-12-30.
  7. ^ "Joe Duarte draws Jorge Gurgel in Strikeforce Challengers 18 headliner". MMAJunkie.com. 2011-06-22. Archived from the original on 2011-06-25.
  8. ^ "Titan FC 27 Results: Ricci Crushes Gurgel, Riddle Chokes Kuiper". themmacorner.com. February 28, 2014.
  9. ^ "MMA veteran Jorge Gurgel retires following tragic death of mother". mmajunkie.com. September 16, 2014.
  10. ^ "Jorge Gurgel weds long-time girlfriend Zoila Frausto". fiveouncesofpain.com. 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
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