Rafaello Oliveira

Rafaello Oliveira Ferreira (; born January 26, 1982) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Mixed martial arts career Oliveria took up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 16, and started his professional MMA career in 2004, competing in his native Brazil. He moved to the United States in 2007, and settled in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 2008, where he was an instructor at the Knoxville Martial Arts Academy. Despite pushing the pace in the first round and moving forward aggressively, Oliveira was controlled by Lentz in the 2nd and 3rd rounds which led to a unanimous decision loss.

Oliveira was expected to face Sean Sherk on January 2, 2010, at UFC 108. However, after an injury to Tyson Griffin, Sherk stepped up to face Jim Miller, leaving Oliveira to face John Gunderson. Oliveira went on to defeat Gunderson via unanimous decision, earning his first UFC win.

Oliveria most recently faced Andre Winner on March 31, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 21, replacing an injured Cole Miller. Oliveira was defeated by Winner via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the UFC.

In May 2011, Oliveira was re-signed by the UFC and faced Gleison Tibau on May 28, 2011, at UFC 130, replacing an injured Bart Palaszewski. Oliveira was submitted for the second time in his professional career, tapping out to a rear-naked choke in the second round.

Oliveira faced Yves Edwards on October 1, 2011, at UFC on Versus 6. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Oliveira was expected to face Reza Madadi on January 20, 2012, at UFC on FX 1. However, Oliveira was forced out of a bout with an injury and replaced by returning veteran Fabrício Camões.

Oliveira faced Yoislandy Izquierdo on July 7, 2012, at UFC 148. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Oliveira was expected to face Michael Chiesa on December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5. However, Oliveira was forced out of the bout with a broken hand and replaced by Marcus LeVesseur.

Oliveira faced Edson Barboza at UFC 162, and lost the bout due to leg kicks in the second round.

Oliveira faced Erik Koch on February 22, 2014, at UFC 170. He lost the fight by TKO in the first round after he was knocked down by a counter straight right hook, and was subsequently released from UFC shortly after.

Personal life Oliveira is married to Wanessa Carolina and has three children.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Erik Koch TKO (punches) UFC 170

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Edson Barboza TKO (leg kicks) UFC 162

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Yoislandy Izquierdo Decision (unanimous) UFC 148

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Yves Edwards TKO (head kick and punches) UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson

Washington, D.C., United States Loss

Gleison Tibau Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 130

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ryan Bixler TKO (punches) Recife Fighting Championship 4

Recife, Brazil Win

Bendy Casimir Decision (unanimous) Recife Fighting Championship 3

Recife, Brazil Win

Kevin Roddy Submission (rear-naked choke) DFL 1: The Big Bang

New Jersey, United States, United States Win

Rafael Dias Decision (unanimous) Scorpius Fighting Championships 1

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Loss

Andre Winner Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States Win

John Gunderson Decision (unanimous) UFC 108

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Nik Lentz Decision (unanimous) UFC 103

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

John Mahlow Decision (unanimous) XFC 8: Regional Conflict

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States Win

Beau King Submission (rear-naked choke) Colosseo Championship Fighting

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Robert Thompson Submission (triangle choke) XFC 7: School of Hard Knox

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States Loss

Lyle Beerbohm TKO (doctor stoppage) ShoXC 9

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

David Santiago N/A ROTR: Beatdown 6

Hawaii, United States Win

Edilson Florencio Submission (triangle choke) MZI - Combat 2

Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil Win

Vitor Pimenta TKO (punches) Action Fight Championship

Pernambuco, Brazil Win

Weguimar de Lucena Xavier TKO (slam) Rino's FC 2

Pernambuco, Brazil Win

Fabio Santana Toldo Submission (rear-naked choke) Rino's FC 1

Pernambuco, Brazil Win

Miro Arona Decision (unanimous) Pernambuco Extreme Fight

Pernambuco, Brazil Loss

Jorge Rodrigues Silva Submission (keylock) Pernambuco Extreme Fight

Pernambuco, Brazil Win

Unknown Fighter N/A Pernambuco Extreme Fight

Pernambuco, Brazil Win

Weguimar de Lucena Xavier TKO (punches) Arena Fight

Pernambuco, Brazil