Ronaldo Souza

Ronaldo Souza
Born Ronaldo Souza dos Santos
(1979-12-07) December 7, 1979
Vila Velha, Brazil[1]
Other names Jacaré (Alligator)
Nationality Brazilian
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Division Middleweight
Reach 72.0 in (183 cm)[2]
Style Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Muay Thai
Fighting out of Manaus, Brazil
Team

Black House

Team Nogueira
Rank Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3]
Black belt in Judo[3]
Years active 2003 – present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 27
Wins 22
By knockout 2
By submission 16
By decision 4
Losses 4
By knockout 2
By decision 2
No contests 1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: May 20, 2010
Ronaldo Souza
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Submission Wrestling
ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship
2003 Sao Paulo -88kg
2005 Long Beach Absolute
2005 Long Beach -88kg
2009 Barcelona Superfight
2011 Nottingham Superfight
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
World Jiu-Jitsu Championship
2001 Rio de Janeiro      Absolute
2001 Rio de Janeiro      -82kg
2002 Rio de Janeiro      Absolute
2002 Rio de Janeiro      -88kg
2003 Rio de Janeiro      Absolute
2003 Rio de Janeiro      -88kg
2004 Rio de Janeiro      Absolute
2004 Rio de Janeiro      -88kg
2005 Rio de Janeiro      Absolute
2005 Rio de Janeiro      -88kg

Ronaldo Souza dos Santos[1] (born December 7, 1979), nicknamed Jacaré (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒakaˈɾɛ]), is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, submission grappler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner competing in the UFC's middleweight division. Souza is the former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, and has also formerly competed for DREAM, and Jungle Fight. As of Feb 2, 2016, he is #2 in official UFC middleweight rankings.[4]

Background

Souza was born in Vila Velha, Brazil, was raised in Cariacica, Brazil until the age of 15, and competed in football as a goalkeeper. Souza had a rough upbringing, and on the day he turned 15, he saw one of his good friends get shot to death. After this event, Souza's mother moved him to Manaus to go live with his brother and started training Judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu when he was 17. He is a five-time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion, including gold medals in the Openweight class in 2003, 2004 and 2005. His other credentials include the 2005 77–87 kg ADCC Champion and the 2005 ADCC Absolute Division runner-up, only losing to Roger Gracie who outweighed him by approximately 25 lbs. Along with Roger Gracie and Marcelo Garcia, Souza is widely considered to be among the greatest BJJ practitioners of his time.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Souza made his mixed martial arts debut on September 9, 2003 at Jungle Fight's inaugural event where he lost to Jorge "Macaco" Patino by KO at 3:13 into the first round. He returned to mixed martial arts eight months later at Jungle Fight 2 securing a submission win over Victor Babkir under a minute into the first round. His next fight was in April 2006 at Jungle Fight 6 where he got his second win, defeating Alexander Shlemenko by an arm triangle choke submission. He went on to fight twice before the end of 2006, winning both fights by submission during the first round.

In 2006, Souza fought and drew with UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture in a grappling contest.[5] After the match Souza was invited by Couture to train at his gym. Souza accepted and started training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.[6] Souza's first fight of 2007 was on May 19 with him scoring a submission win due to strikes over veteran Bill Vucick at Gracie Fighting Championships: Evolution. He would next fight twice within a two-week period on September 29 and October 13, scoring two submission wins both within the first round.

DREAM

In 2008, Souza signed with Japanese MMA-promotion DREAM and was scheduled to participate in the 2008 DREAM Middleweight Grand-Prix. In the first round of the tournament, at DREAM 2 on April 29, 2008, he defeated Ian Murphy by a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.[7][8] This secured him a place in the quarter-finals which took place at DREAM 4 on June 15 where he fought former ICON Sport Middleweight Champion Jason "Mayhem" Miller. The fight went the distance with Souza continuously going for submissions with Miller escaping multiple rear-naked choke, leglock and armbar-attempts while mounting his own offense on the feet. Souza was awarded a unanimous decision victory which secured him a place in the semi-final of the Middleweight Grand-Prix.[9]

In the semi-finals which took place at DREAM 6 on September 23, Souza defeated Zelg Galesic early in the first round by armbar submission. The victory earned him a place in the finals of the tournament and a shot at the DREAM Middleweight Championship against Gegard Mousasi that same night. In the fight Souza was knocked out early in the first round by an upkick as he attempted to dive past Mousasi's guard to land a strike of his own. After participating in the tournament, Souza left Xtreme Couture and went to San Diego to train with Saulo and Xande Ribeiro, before leaving to train with Anderson Silva and Andre Galvao in preparation for Silva's upcoming bout with Thales Leites at UFC 97 at Black House.[10]

Souza fought in the DREAM Middleweight Championship in a rematch with Jason Miller at DREAM 9 after Gegard Mousasi vacated the title when moving up to Light Heavyweight. The fight was called a no contest due to an illegal kick to the head that opened up a gash on Souza's head.[11]

Strikeforce

Souza made his Strikeforce debut on December 19, 2009 at Strikeforce: Evolution with a first-round submission win over Matt Lindland, via arm-triangle choke. In this fight, Souza showed a major improvement in his stand up game and striking. Souza faced Joey Villaseñor on May 15, 2010 at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery.[12] He won the fight via unanimous decision,[13] dominating the first round, being very aggressive, achieving the mount position and almost achieving the submission, but slowed down on the 2nd and 3rd round.[14]

Souza fought Tim Kennedy on August 21, 2010 at Strikeforce: Houston for the vacant Strikeforce Middleweight Championship, and won via unanimous decision.[15] Souza then defended the belt for the first time against Robbie Lawler, on January 29, 2011 at Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg.[13]

In his second defense, Souza lost his Middleweight Championship against American Kickboxing Academy fighter Luke Rockhold via unanimous decision (50-45, 48-47, 48-47).[16]

On March 3, 2012, Souza made his sixth Strikeforce appearance against late replacement Bristol Marunde. Souza won via arm-triangle choke, submitting Marunde at 2:43 of the final round.[17]

On August 18, 2012, Souza faced Derek Brunson in his seventh Strikeforce appearance. Souza dropped Brunson early with a counter right hand which planted Brunson on the mat and landed three ground strikes, knocking out Brunson in just 41 seconds.

Souza faced UFC veteran Ed Herman at the final Strikeforce card, Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine, on January 12, 2013.[18] He won via submission in the first round.[13]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Souza signed a five-fight deal with the UFC in January 2013.[19]

Souza was expected to make his promotional debut against Costas Philippou on May 18, 2013, at UFC on FX 8.[20] Philippou pulled out of the bout in early May, citing a cut above his eye, and was replaced by Chris Camozzi.[21][22] Souza arm-triangle choked Camozzi unconscious in the first round.[23]

Souza next knocked out Yushin Okami in the first round on September 4, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 28.[24]

Souza beat Francis Carmont by unanimous decision on February 15, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 36.[25] After, he said he was injured during his training camp and would require a minimum of six weeks for recovery.[26]

Souza was expected to rematch Gegard Mousasi on August 2, 2014 at UFC 176.[27] When the event was cancelled, the bout was rescheduled for September 5, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 50.[28] Souza won via submission in the third round, earning his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[29][30]

Souza was expected to face Yoel Romero on February 28, 2015 at UFC 184.[31] Souza pulled out of the fight on January 15, due to pneumonia. The bout was rescheduled for April 18, 2015 at UFC on Fox 15.[32] Romero pulled out of the fight a week before the event, citing a ligament and meniscus tear in his knee.[33] Souza instead rematched returning veteran Chris Camozzi, submitting him with a first-round armbar.[34]

The bout with Romero was scheduled for a third time, eventually taking place on December 12, 2015 at UFC 194.[35] Souza lost the bout via split decision.[36] 12 of 17 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Souza, and 3 of 17 scored it a draw.[37] On January 13, 2016 Romero was informed of a potential doping violation stemming from an out of competition test conducted by USADA.[38]

Souza is expected to face Vitor Belfort on May 14, 2016 at UFC 198.[39]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Grappling credentials

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 22–4 (1) Yoel Romero Decision (split) UFC 194 December 12, 2015 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Romero tested positive for ibutamoren due to a contaminated supplement.
Win 22–3 (1) Chris Camozzi Verbal Submission (armbar) UFC on Fox: Machida vs. Rockhold April 18, 2015 1 2:33 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win 21–3 (1) Gegard Mousasi Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Jacare vs. Mousasi September 5, 2014 3 4:30 Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 20–3 (1) Francis Carmont Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Mousasi February 15, 2014 3 5:00 Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil
Win 19–3 (1) Yushin Okami TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Teixeira vs. Bader September 4, 2013 1 2:47 Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Win 18–3 (1) Chris Camozzi Technical submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold May 18, 2013 1 3:37 Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil Submission of the Night.
Win 17–3 (1) Ed Herman Submission (kimura) Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine January 12, 2013 1 3:10 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Catchweight (194 lbs) bout.
Win 16–3 (1) Derek Brunson KO (punches) Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman August 18, 2012 1 0:41 San Diego, California, United States
Win 15–3 (1) Bristol Marunde Submission (arm-triangle choke) Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey March 3, 2012 3 2:43 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Loss 14–3 (1) Luke Rockhold Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Barnett vs. Kharitonov September 10, 2011 5 5:00 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Lost the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship.
Win 14–2 (1) Robbie Lawler Submission (rear-naked choke) Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg January 29, 2011 3 2:00 San Jose, California, United States Defended the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship.
Win 13–2 (1) Tim Kennedy Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Houston August 21, 2010 5 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States Won the vacant Strikeforce Middleweight Championship.
Win 12–2 (1) Joey Villaseñor Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery May 15, 2010 3 5:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Win 11–2 (1) Matt Lindland Submission (arm-triangle choke) Strikeforce: Evolution December 19, 2009 1 4:18 San Jose, California, United States
NC 10–2 (1) Jason Miller No contest (cut from an illegal kick) DREAM 9 May 26, 2009 1 2:33 Yokohama, Japan For the vacant DREAM Middleweight Championship.
Loss 10–2 Gegard Mousasi KO (upkick) Dream 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Final Round September 23, 2008 1 2:15 Saitama, Japan For the vacant DREAM Middleweight Championship.
Win 10–1 Zelg Galešić Submission (armbar) Dream 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Final Round September 23, 2008 1 1:27 Saitama, Japan
Win 9–1 Jason Miller Decision (unanimous) Dream 4: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Second Round June 15, 2008 2 5:00 Yokohama, Japan
Win 8–1 Ian Murphy Submission (rear-naked choke) Dream 2: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 First Round April 29, 2008 1 3:37 Saitama, Japan
Win 7–1 Wendell Santos Submission (punches) Hero's The Jungle October 13, 2007 1 1:40 Manaus, Brazil
Win 6–1 José de Ribamar Submission (armbar) Amazon Challenge September 29, 2007 1 3:28 Manaus, Brazil
Win 5–1 Bill Vucick Submission (punches) Gracie Fighting Championships: Evolution May 19, 2007 1 3:01 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win 4–1 Haim Gozali Submission (rear-naked choke) Jungle Fight Europe December 17, 2006 1 1:34 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Win 3–1 Alexey Prokofiev Submission (triangle choke) Fury Fighting Championship 1 September 27, 2006 1 2:30 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 2–1 Alexander Shlemenko Technical submission (arm-triangle choke) Jungle Fight 6 April 29, 2006 1 2:10 Manaus, Brazil
Win 1–1 Victor Babkir Submission (punches) Jungle Fight 2 May 15, 2004 1 0:56 Manaus, Brazil
Loss 0–1 Jorge Patino KO (punch) Jungle Fight 1 September 13, 2003 1 3:13 Manaus, Brazil

[13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Ronaldo Jacare Souza – Wiki". BJJHeroes.com. Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  2. ↑ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Machida vs. Rockhold". UFC.com. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  4. ↑ UFC Fighter Rankings
  5. ↑ Gross, Josh (2006-11-18). "Couture Draws with "Jacaré" and Garcia Wins Again". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  6. ↑ Martin, Denis. "BJJ Phenom ‘Jacaré’ Set for Toughest Test to Date". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  7. ↑ Sherdog.com (2008-04-29). "Success for Sakuraba in Saitama". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  8. ↑ Nowe, Jason. "Aoki Bests ‘JZ,’ Middleweights Advance". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  9. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Dream 4 Play-by-Play". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  10. ↑ Alonso, Marcelo (February 27, 2009). "Jacaré, Galvão Training Silva for Leites". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  11. ↑ http://www.dreamofficial.com/free/fightcard/?id=20090526
  12. ↑ "Randleman vs. Gracie, Villasenor vs. "Jacare" official for May 15 Strikeforce event". MMAjunkie.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza Official MMA Record - Sherdog.com". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  14. ↑ Robert Rousseau. "Ronaldo Jacare Souza Defeats Joey Villasenor By Unanimous Decision". http://martialarts.about.com. Retrieved 2013-05-20. External link in |publisher= (help)
  15. ↑ Brian Knapp. "Jacare, Kennedy to Vie for Vacant Strikeforce Crown". Sherdog.
  16. ↑ "Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza Defends Strikeforce Title Against Luke Rockhold". MMAWeekly.com. June 5, 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-25.
  17. ↑ Fontanez, Erik. "Strikeforce Tate vs. Rousey Results: ‘Jacare’ Souza Wins With Late Sub". MMAWeekly.com.
  18. ↑ "STRIKEFORCE® MARQUARDT VS. SAFFIEDINE". strikeforce.com. 2012-11-30.
  19. ↑ "Souza signed in UFC and is expected to do very well.". January 6, 2013.
  20. ↑ "Constantinos Philippou vs. 'Jacare' Souza targeted for UFC on FX 8 in Brazil". mmajunkie.com. 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  21. ↑ Ariel Helwani (May 3, 2013). "Injury forces Costa Philippou out of 'Jacare' Souza fight at UFC on FX 8". mmafighting.com. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  22. ↑ Staff (May 3, 2013). "Chris Camozzi ersätter mot ‘Jacare’, Natal möter nu nykomlingen Joao Zeferino". mmanytt.se. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  23. ↑ "UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  24. ↑ Mike Bohn (June 23, 2013). "Yushin Okami vs. Ronaldo Souza in the works for UFC on FOX Sports 1 #3". mmamania.com. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  25. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2013-11-19). "‘Jacare’ Souza vs. Francis Carmont added to UFC Fight Night card in Brazil". MMAfighting.com.
  26. ↑ Foster, Jack. http://mmanewsnow.com/index.php/mmanews/jacare-souza-injured-least-6-weeks. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  27. ↑ Matt Erickson (June 18, 2014). "UFC 176 co-main event set with Gegard Mousasi vs. 'Jacare' Souza". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  28. ↑ Staff (2014-07-09). "Dana White says Gegard Mousasi vs. Jacare Souza will take place at UFC Fight Night 50". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2014-07-09.
  29. ↑ John Morgan (September 5, 2014). "UFC Fight Night 50 results: Ronaldo Souza dominates Gegard Mousasi, earns third-round tap". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
  30. ↑ "UUFC Fight Night 50 bonuses: Lauzon, Chiesa, Souza and Rothwell win $50,000". MMAjunkie.com. September 6, 2014.
  31. ↑ Brian Martin (2014-11-13). "UFC 184: Jacare Souza vs. Yoel Romero added to Staples Center card". dailynews.com. Retrieved 2014-11-13.
  32. ↑ Matt Erickson (February 11, 2015). "Yoel Romero vs. 'Jacare' Souza re-booked for UFC on FOX 15 co-main event". MMAjunkie.com.
  33. ↑ Matt Erickson (April 11, 2015). "Yoel Romero hurt, Chris Camozzi returns to rematch 'Jacare' Souza at UFC on FOX 15". MMAjunkie.com.
  34. ↑ Dave Doyle (April 18, 2015). "UFC on FOX 15 results: 'Jacare' Souza makes short work of Chris Camozzi". MMAfighting.com.
  35. ↑ Staff (2015-08-17). "‘Jacare’ Souza vs. Yoel Romero rebooked for UFC 194 in Las Vegas". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
  36. ↑ Bren Brookhouse (2015-12-12). "UFC 194 results: Yoel Romero decisions Ronaldo Souza in back-and-forth battle". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  37. ↑ "Yoel Romero def. Ronaldo Souza". MMA Decisions. Retrieved 2015-12-13.
  38. ↑ http://m.ufc.com/news/UFC-Statement-on-Yoel-Romero-11216
  39. ↑ Shaun Al-Shatti (2016-01-19). "Vitor Belfort vs. Jacare Souza announced for UFC event in Brazil". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2016-01-19.

External links

Vacant
Title last held by
Jake Shields		 4th Strikeforce Middleweight Champion
August 21, 2010 – September 10, 2011 		Succeeded by
Luke Rockhold
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