Fighter Profile: Jorge Gurgel

Jorge Gurgel (left) defeated Conor Huen by Unanimous Decision at Strikeforce Challengers 2 in June 2009

Overall Record: 13-6

Height: 5’7” Weight: 155

Age: 32

Hometown: Fortaleza, Brazil

Jorge “JG” Gurgel, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is a former UFC lightweight who now fights for the California-based Strikeforce MMA promotion. Gurgel trains with his Team Extreme fight team located in Southwestern Ohio alongside teammate and former UFC middleweight champion, Rich “Ace” Franklin. The 5’7” ground specialist is known mostly for his stint on the second season of the popular Spike TV reality fight series, “The Ultimate Fighter.”

After migrating to the United States during his high school years, Gurgel later became a United States citizen and began to teach jiu-jitsu classes in his spare time. He made his professional fighting debut in March of 2002 fighting for the UW promotion in Minnesota. Gurgel won his rookie bout against Calib Carr, making him submit from an armbar only eighteen seconds into the fight.

The Brazil native would go on to win nine of his first ten bouts fighting for the ICC, Victory FC, ZST, ACC, Freestyle FC, and Extreme Challenge organizations. Among the opponents that he earned victories against included UFC 64 veteran Justin James, UFC 61 participant Joe Jordan, and one-time PRIDE FC fighter Jason Ireland. The lone loss during his ten-fight stretch happened in Japan’s ZST organization at the 2003 Grand Prix opening round. Masakazu Imanari manhandled Gurgel submitting him in thirty-two seconds from a heel-hook submission.

His impressive .900 winning percentage and ground skills helped earn him a position on the second season of “The Ultimate Fighter” from August to November 2005. Although he was viewed as one of the hardest workers in the house, he was defeated by replacement fighter, Jason Von Flue, by decision early in the season. He remained on the show as a valuable team member and training partner, often helping teammates with proper techniques and positions.

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The UFC awarded Gurgel for his hard work by placing him on their Fight Night 5 card in June of 2006, fighting speedy lightweight, Mark Hominick. Deciding to use the stand and trade strategy, Gurgel fell short in his debut, losing via unanimous decision after three tough rounds. He saved his roster slot with the organization by winning two straight against Danny Abbadi and Diego Saraiva at UFC 63 and UFC 73 respectively, the latter earning him “Fight of the Night” honors.

The seven year MMA veteran continued his up-and-down UFC career after losing a unanimous decision to Alvin “Kid” Robinson at UFC 77. Once again with his UFC career on shaky ground, “JG” defeated John Halverson with yet another unanimous decision at the March 2008 UFC 82: Pride of a Champion undercard. Fighting four months later at UFC 86, Gurgel was stopped for the first time in the UFC, by Cole Miller via triangle choke submission. He was released after his UFC 91 unanimous decision loss against Aaron Riley, going out winning his second performance bonus for “Fight of the Night.”

Being criticized by many for choosing to strike instead of using his strong ground game and jiu-jitsu, Gurgel didn’t need to look far to find a new fight home. He signed with UFC competitor, Strikeforce and proceeded to earn his fourth career decision victory over Conor Heun on the Strikeforce Challengers 2 card in June 2009. With the victory, Gurgel becomes a legitimate competitor for champion, Josh Thomson’s lightweight belt.

With his sights set on a return to the Octagon, Gurgel must first put together a solid winning streak in the deep Strikeforce lightweight division. He will try and make it two for two in Strikeforce after taking on Billy Evangelista on the next Strikeforce Challengers show. Gurgel vs. Evangelista will serve as the headlining bout for the Showtime broadcast of the Strikeforce Challengers 4 fight card, scheduled for Saturday, November 6th from the SaveMart Center in Fresno, California.

Recent Jorge Gurgel MMA News:

November 2008 – After seven fights and a 3-4 record for the UFC, Gurgel was released from the organization.
June 2009 – In his Strikeforce debut, Gurgel won a unanimous decision against Conor Heun at Strikeforce Challengers 2
November 2009 – Lost to Billy Evangelista in the main event of the Strikeforce Challengers 4 card by Unanimous Decision

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer
Published September 2009