Gabriel Gonzaga
Active 2005–present · rated in 2 editions · peak overall 80.0
Scouting report
Delivering a head kick knockout over Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 70, Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga was a heavyweight threat. Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the 2006 ADCC World Champion blended jiu-jitsu with punching power, his toolkit supported by an 88 BJJ rating and 88 Strength.
Peak ratings
By edition
Gonzaga returned to the UFC in 2012 with a three-fight submission and knockout streak, submitting Ednaldo Oliveira with a rear-naked choke in Rio, submitting Ben Rothwell with a guillotine in Sao Paulo, and knocking out Dave Herman in Las Vegas, while dropping a stoppage to Travis Browne. His Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt mastery and right hand are reflected in an 88 BJJ and 80 Boxing.
In 2014 and 2015, Gonzaga lost a decision to Stipe Miocic in Chicago and was stopped by Matt Mitrione in Phoenix and by Mirko Cro Cop in a Krakow rematch, before outpointing Konstantin Erokhin at the TUF 22 Finale. His submission transitions, leg kicks, and strength anchor his 86 BJJ and 78 Boxing ratings.
Gabriel Gonzaga, one kick that made the highlight reels
Gabriel Gonzaga is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt whose best known moment is a head kick knockout of Mirko Cro Cop in 2007. He returned to the top promotion in 2012 and won a string of fights, including submissions of Ednaldo Oliveira and Ben Rothwell and a knockout of Dave Herman in 17 seconds. Travis Browne knocked him out with elbows in 2013, and Cro Cop got revenge in 2015. Draft him for a mix of ground skill and a good hand.
Gonzaga rating by rating
Boxing. Reasonable. A strong right hand that could end a fight.
Kickboxing. Good. The Cro Cop knockout came from a head kick.
Wrestling. Fine, though he used it more to reach the mat than to grind.
BJJ. The top of his card, tied with strength. His finishes on the mat were the core of his game.
Strength. Strong. He carried the weight of a big man with good posture.
Durability. Decent, but he was knocked out by Carwin in 2009 and by Browne in 2013.
Cardio. The lowest number on his card. He was best when fights ended quickly.
Fight IQ. Reasonable, though not the source of his edge.
A grappler who is happy to fight standing too
BJJ and Strength both sit at 88, and together they make him a heavyweight who can finish in different ways. He can lean on the ground or walk forward with strikes, so he is difficult to plan against. In a lineup that needs versatility, he brings both.
His gas tank is the concern
At 76, Cardio is the lowest rating. His best work came early in fights, and a patient opponent who can survive the first round has a clear path. Give him a role as an early finisher and do not expect him to grind out a decision in the later rounds.
Keep exploring
Closest heavyweight profiles to Gabriel Gonzaga, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Stefan Struvebest bjj 84 · weakest wrestling 70
- Ben Rothwellbest strength 89 · weakest kickboxing 76
- Frank Mirbest bjj 94 · weakest kickboxing 74
- Antonio Silvabest strength 90 · weakest kickboxing 72
- Heavyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Gabriel Gonzaga's strongest attribute, BJJ.
Draft Gabriel Gonzaga into your build
Gabriel Gonzaga enters the pool on any spin landing on heavyweight between 2010 and 2015. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Gabriel Gonzaga is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Gabriel Gonzaga's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.