Jorge Gurgel

Jorge Valente Gurgel (; ; 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.

Background Gurgel is originally from Fortaleza, Brazil, where he earned a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Marcus Aurélio. Gurgel immigrated to the United States as an exchange student in high school. Remaining to attend Wright State University he soon became an American citizen. 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. In the contest, Gurgel defeated Saraiva by unanimous decision, even though he was badly injured during the fight. 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 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.

Gurgel headlined Strikeforce Challengers 18 on August 12, 2011, against fellow Ultimate Fighter alumni Joe Duarte 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 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.

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

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

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight of the Night (Two times) Absolute Combat Challenge ACC Lightweight Championship (One time)

Brazilian jiu-jitsu NAGA SuperFight Champion Six-time Brazilian State Champion

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Mike Ricci TKO (punches and elbows) Titan Fighting Championship 27

Kansas City, Kansas, United States Loss

Adriano Martins Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Joe Duarte Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Billy Vaughan Submission (guillotine choke) Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson

Columbus, Ohio, United States Loss

K. J. Noons KO (punches) Strikeforce: Houston

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Billy Evangelista Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista

Fresno, California, United States Win

Conor Heun Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg

Kent, Washington, United States Loss

Aaron Riley Decision (unanimous) UFC 91

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Cole Miller Submission (triangle choke) UFC 86

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

John Halverson Decision (unanimous) UFC 82

Columbus, Ohio, United States Loss

Alvin Robinson Decision (unanimous) UFC 77

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Win

Diego Saraiva Decision (unanimous) UFC 73

Sacramento, California, United States Win

Danny Abbadi Decision (split) UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn

Anaheim, California, United States Loss

Mark Hominick Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night 5

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jason Ireland Submission (guillotine choke) KOTC 48: Payback

Cleveland, Ohio, United States Win

Joe Jordan Submission (guillotine choke) Extreme Challenge 56

Medina, Minnesota, United States Win

Gin Minajev Submission (guillotine choke) Extreme Challenge 56

Medina, Minnesota, United States Win

Steve Kinnison Submission (guillotine choke) Freestyle Fighting Championships 8

Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Loss

Masakazu Imanari Submission (heel hook) ZST: Grand Prix Opening Round

Tokyo, Japan Win

Luke Spencer TKO (submission to punches) Absolute Combat Challenge 1

Canton, Ohio, United States Win

Justin James Submission (armbar) VFC 4: Wildcard

Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win

Gin Minajev Submission (guillotine choke) ICC 1: Retribution

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Win

Calib Carr Submission (armbar) UW: St. Cloud 2

St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States Win

Elvin Rodriguez Submission (armbar) UW: St. Cloud 2

St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States