Rafael Carvalho

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Rafael Carvalho
Rafael Carvalho Bellator MMA.png
Carvalho in 2015
BornRafael Carvalho de Souza
(1986-07-27) 27 July 1986 (age 37)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other namesThe Blessed
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st)
Division Middleweight (2011–2019)
Light Heavyweight (2019–present) [1]
Reach78 in (198 cm) [2]
Fighting out of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Team American Top Team (2019–present) [3]
Evolução Thai (formerly)
Madison Team
Siam Team MMA College
Noguchi Team
LA Sports
RankBrown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Years active2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total24
Wins17
By knockout12
By decision5
Losses7
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision3
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Rafael Carvalho de Souza [2] (born 27 July 1986) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions of Bellator MMA, where he was a former Bellator Middleweight World Champion. As of December 2017, Carvalho is tied with Alexander Shlemenko for most title defenses in the division's history. He also won the Smash Fight middleweight championship in 2013. [4]

Contents

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

First loss and rebound

Carvalho made his professional mixed martial arts debut against Julio Cesar Araujo Fernandes on 17 December 2011 at Samurai FC 6. Carvalho lost the fight via submission in the first round. Following the loss, Carvalho went on a nine-fight unbeaten streak that included a unanimous decision win over Gustavo Machado that won him the Smash Fight middleweight championship, before signing with Bellator MMA. [5]

Bellator MMA

Road to Bellator middleweight title

Carvalho was expected to make his promotional debut against fellow newcomer Anthony Ruiz on 19 September 2014 at Bellator 125. [6] However, after an injury to Brett Cooper, Carvalho stepped up and faced Brian Rogers in the co-main event. [7] Carvalho won the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the first round. [8]

Carvalho faced kickboxing veteran Joe Schilling on 10 April 2015 at Bellator 136. He won the fight by split decision. [9]

Bellator middleweight champion

Carvalho faced Brandon Halsey in the main event at Bellator 144 for the vacant Bellator Middleweight Championship on 23 October 2015. Carvalho stopped Halsey via a body kick in the second round in an upset. Halsey dominated the first round on the ground; almost finishing Carvalho with an arm-triangle choke. With the comeback victory, Carvalho became the first fighter to defeat Halsey. [10]

Carvalho made his first defense of his title against Melvin Manhoef on 20 May 2016 at Bellator 155. He won via a controversial split decision to retain the Bellator Middleweight Championship. Bellator announcer Jimmy Smith called it one of the worst decisions he had ever seen; likewise 5 of 5 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Manhoef. [11]

An immediate rematch with Manhoef was scheduled to take place at Bellator 168, on 10 December 2016. [12] However, Carvalho pulled out of the fight due to injury. [13] The rematch eventually took place on 8 April 2017 at Bellator 176. Carvalho won the bout via knockout due to a head kick in the fourth round. [14] Following the event, Carvalho was fined $5,000 by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) for unsportsmanlike conduct, due to jumping out the cage in his post-fight celebration. [15]

In a May 2017 interview with MMAfighting.com, Carvalho expressed interest in a bout with newly signed welterweight Rory MacDonald after the two exchanged words on Twitter. In addition, he hoped to make his next title defense in July or August. [16]

In his third title defense, Carvalho faced Alessio Sakara at Bellator 190 on 9 December 2017. [17] [18] He won the fight via knockout in the first round. As a result, Carvalho tied the record for most title defenses, held by Alexander Shlemenko, in the divisions' history (three). [4]

In his fourth title defense, Carvalho faced Gegard Mousasi on 25 May 2018 at Bellator 200 in London. [19] This was the last fight on his contract. [20] He lost the fight via technical knock out in round one. [21]

Return to contender status

On 12 September, it was announced that Carvalho had re-signed with the Bellator MMA promotion. It was also announced that Carvalho is expected to face promotional newcomer and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida on 15 December at Bellator 213. [22] On weigh-in day, Carvalho missed weight, weighing in at 186.5 pounds, over the maximum non-title limit of 186.0 pounds. The bout proceeded at Catchweight and Carvalho was fined 20% of his purse. Carvalho was defeated by split decision. [23]

Carvalho faced Chidi Njokuani at Bellator 224 in a 190 lb Catchweight bout on 12 July 2019. [24] He won the fight by unanimous decision. After the fight with Njokuani, Carvalho announced that he will be moving up to the light heavyweight division. [1]

Move up to light heavyweight

In his light heavyweight debut, Carvalho faced Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 230 on 13 October 2019. After being largely dominated in the fight, Carvalho lost via submission late in the second round. [25]

Carvalho faced Alex Polizzi at Bellator 245 on 11 September 2020. [26] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Bellator MMA announced on 27 October 2020, that Carvalho had been released from the promotion. [27]

After the release from Bellator, Carvalho was set to headline LFA 107 against Sharaf Davlatmurodov on 14 May 2021. [28] However, the bout was called off as Carvalho stepped in as a replacement for Costello van Steenis to face Lorenz Larkin on 6 days notice at Bellator 258 on 7 May 2021. The promotion announced that this bout would be a one off fight deal. [29] Carvalho lost the bout via split decision. [30]

Replacing Tony Johnson, Carvalho faced Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov on April 15, 2022 at Bellator 277. [31] He lost the fight via TKO in the second round. [32]

Post Bellator

In his first bout after leaving Bellator, Carvalho faced Marcelo Alfaya on November 15, 2023 at Centurion FC 16, winning the bout and the title via unanimous decision. [33]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
24 matches17 wins7 losses
By knockout122
By submission02
By decision53
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win17–7Marcelo AlfayaDecision (unanimous)Centurion FC 1615 November 202355:00 Attard, MaltaWon the vacant CFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Loss16–7 Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov TKO (elbows and punches) Bellator 277 15 April 202224:04 San Jose, California, United States
Loss16–6 Lorenz Larkin Decision (split) Bellator 258 7 May 202135:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesMiddleweight bout.
Loss16–5Alex PolizziDecision (unanimous) Bellator 245 11 September 202035:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Loss16–4 Vadim Nemkov Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 230 12 October 201923:56 Milan, ItalyLight Heavyweight debut.
Win16–3 Chidi Njokuani Decision (unanimous) Bellator 224 12 July 201935:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United StatesCatchweight bout (190 lbs).
Loss15–3 Lyoto Machida Decision (split) Bellator 213 15 December 201835:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United StatesCatchweight bout (186.5 lbs); Carvalho missed weight.
Loss15–2 Gegard Mousasi TKO (punches) Bellator 200 25 May 201813:35 London, EnglandLost the Bellator Middleweight World Championship.
Win15–1 Alessio Sakara KO (elbow) Bellator 190 9 December 201710:44 Florence, ItalyDefended the Bellator Middleweight World Championship.
Win14–1 Melvin Manhoef KO (head kick) Bellator 176 8 April 201743:15 Torino, Italy Defended the Bellator Middleweight World Championship.
Win13–1 Melvin Manhoef Decision (split) Bellator 155 20 May 201655:00 Boise, Idaho, United StatesDefended the Bellator Middleweight World Championship.
Win12–1 Brandon Halsey KO (body kick) Bellator 144 23 October 201521:42 Uncasville, Connecticut, United StatesWon the vacant Bellator Middleweight World Championship.
Win11–1 Joe Schilling Decision (split) Bellator 136 10 April 201535:00 Irvine, California, United States
Win10–1 Brian Rogers TKO (punches) Bellator 125 19 September 201413:06 Fresno, California, United States
Win9–1Mauri RoqueTKO (knee to the body and punches)Talent MMA Circuit 9: Sao Jose dos Pinhais 201410 May 201412:47 São José dos Pinhais, Brazil
Win8–1Sergio SouzaTKO (knee to the body and punches)Iron Fight Combat 47 September 201332:15 São José dos Pinhais, Brazil
Win7–1 Gustavo Machado Decision (unanimous)Smash Fight 213 July 201335:00 Curitiba, Paraná, BrazilWon the Smash Fight middleweight championship.
Win6–1Fernando ScherekTKO (punches)Adventure Fighters Tournament 49 March 201310:39 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
Win5–1Kaue DudusTKO (punches)Samurai FC 9: Water vs. Fire15 December 201223:48 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
Win4–1Eduardo GimenezTKO (punches)Empire Promotions: Empire FC20 October 201210:55 Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
Win3–1Luiz Cado SimonTKO (punches)Forca Jovem Parana: Nocaute ao Crack 225 August 20123N/A Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
Win2–1Glauber ValadaresTKO (punches)Predador FC 2111 August 201212:52 Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Win1–1Flavio Rodrigo MagonTKO (punches)Adrenaline Fight 410 March 201222:42 Apucarana, Paraná, Brazil
Loss0–1Julio Cesar Araujo FernandesSubmission (anaconda choke)Samurai FC 617 December 20111N/A Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil

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References

  1. 1 2 Guilherme Cruz (26 July 2019). "Rafael Carvalho done fighting at middleweight, wants to 'test' himself at light heavyweight". mmafighting.com.
  2. 1 2 "Rafael Carvalho – MMA Fighter Page – Tapology". tapology.com. Retrieved 5 April 2015.
  3. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (12 July 2019). "Former champion Rafael Carvalho no longer obsessed with Bellator belt". mmafighting.com.
  4. 1 2 Mike Bohn (10 December 2017). "Bellator 190 post-event facts: Rafael Carvalho Bellator's most successful champ – by a long shot". mmajunkie.com.
  5. ↑ Staff (9 September 2014). "Brett Cooper out, Brian Rogers gets third opponent: Rafael Carvalho at Bellator 125". mmajunkie.com.
  6. ↑ Staff (29 August 2014). "Bellator 125 lineup complete with eight fights on preliminary card". mmajunkie.com.
  7. ↑ C.J. Tuttle (9 September 2014). "Brett Cooper suffers foot injury; Brian Rogers to fight Rafael Carvalho at Bellator 125". sherdog.com.
  8. ↑ Josh Sanchez (19 September 2014). "Bellator 125 results: Rafael Carvalho TKOs Brian Rogers in Round 1". fansided.com.
  9. ↑ Tristen Critchfield (10 April 2015). "Will Brooks Outpoints Dave Jansen, Retains Lightweight Title in Bellator 136 Headliner". sherdog.com.
  10. ↑ Matt Erickson (23 October 2015). "Bellator 144 results: Rafael Carvalho kick stuns Brandon Halsey to win 185 title". mmajunkie.com.
  11. ↑ "Rafael Carvalho def. Melvin Manhoef". MMA Decisions. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
  12. ↑ Staff (7 October 2016). "Rafael Carvalho vs. Melvin Manhoef title rematch headlines Bellator 168 in Italy". mmajunkie.com.
  13. ↑ Mike Bohn (3 December 2016). "Injury knocks champ Rafael Carvalho from Bellator 168 main event vs. Melvin Manhoef". mmajunkie.com.
  14. ↑ Dann Stupp (8 April 2017). "Bellator 176 results: Champ Rafael Carvalho flattens Melvin Manhoef with big head kick". mmajunkie.com.
  15. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (10 April 2017). "Rafael Carvalho fined for jumping out of cage after Bellator win over Melvin Manhoef". mmafighting.com.
  16. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (30 May 2017). "Bellator middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho issues warning to Rory MacDonald". mmafighting.com.
  17. ↑ Nolan King (7 June 2017). "Rafael Carvalho Set to Defend Bellator Middleweight Strap in Italy". mma-today.com.
  18. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (12 July 2017). "Bellator champ Rafael Carvalho meets Alessio Sakara in Italy, hopes for Gegard Mousasi showdown in early 2018". mmafighting.com.
  19. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Carvalho-Mousasi Title Bout, Page-Rickels Booked for Bellator 200 in London". Sherdog. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  20. ↑ "Carvalho May Leave After Bellator 200". fightsports.tv. 14 April 2018.
  21. ↑ "Mousasi takes Bellator title with 1st-round TKO". ESPN.com. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  22. ↑ "Lyoto Machida Debuts Against Former Champion Rafael Carvalho at Bellator Hawaii". mmafighting.com. 12 September 2018.
  23. ↑ "Bellator 213 Results: Macfarlane vs Létourneau". mmafighting.com. 15 December 2018.
  24. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (27 May 2019). "Rafael Carvalho vs. Chidi Njokuani targeted for Bellator 224". mmafighting.com.
  25. ↑ Tudor Leonte (12 October 2019). "Nemkov Submits Carvalho at Bellator 230; Manhoef Crushes Bahati at Bellator 'Milan'". sherdog.com.
  26. ↑ "Bellator 245 fills out, including Ed Ruth, Rafael Carvalho, Tyrell Fortune". mmajunkie.com. 21 August 2020.
  27. ↑ Damon Martin, Mike Heck (27 October 2020). "Former two-division champion Joe Warren, Ricky Bandejas, Roy Nelson among slew of Bellator fighters no longer under contract". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  28. ↑ "Rafael Carvalho off LFA 107 on May 14 to make Bellator return; LFA 108 set for following week". MMAjunkie.com . 1 May 2021.
  29. ↑ "Rafael Carvalho steps in on six days' notice to fight Lorenz Larkin at Bellator 258". MMA Junkie. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  30. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 258 'Archuleta vs. Pettis' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  31. ↑ "Rafael Carvalho aceita luta com uma semana de antecedência no Bellator 277". www.uol.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  32. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 277 'McKee vs. Freire 2' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 16 April 2022.
  33. ↑ "Rafael Carvalho Seizes Centurion FC's First Light Heavyweight Title in a Grueling Clash". centurionfc.tv. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  34. ↑ "MMAjunkie's 'Knockout of the Month' for October is a ridiculous shot to the gut". 31 October 2015.
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