# Jorge Gurgel

Jorge Valente Gurgel (/ˈɡɜːrɡəl/; Portuguese pronunciation:; 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.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Ultimate Fighting Championship

Gurgel starred in the second season of The Ultimate Fighter television series and was eliminated from the show in the fifth episode due to a loss to Jason Von Flue via unanimous decision, but showed tremendous heart by fighting with a blown ACL.
Gurgel's match with Diego Saraiva at UFC 73 was designated as the "Fight of the Night" by the UFC. In the contest, Gurgel defeated Saraiva by unanimous decision, even though he was badly injured during the fight. He was hospitalized afterward, due to a broken jaw and the presence of blood in his urine.
After his loss to Aaron Riley, Gurgel was released from the UFC. 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

Professional record breakdown :
| 24 matches | 14 wins | 10 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 2 |
| By submission | 9 | 2 |
| By decision | 4 | 6 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 14–10 | Mike Ricci | TKO (punches and elbows) | Titan Fighting Championship 27 | February 28, 2014 | 1 | 3:57 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | |
| Loss | 14–9 | Adriano Martins | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine | January 12, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Loss | 14–8 | Joe Duarte | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Duarte | August 12, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 14–7 | Billy Vaughan | Submission (guillotine choke) | Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson | March 5, 2011 | 1 | 0:44 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 13–7 | K. J. Noons | KO (punches) | Strikeforce: Houston | August 21, 2010 | 2 | 0:19 | Houston, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 13–6 | Billy Evangelista | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers: Gurgel vs. Evangelista | November 6, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Fresno, California, United States | Catchweight at 160 lb. |
| Win | 13–5 | Conor Heun | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg | June 19, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Kent, Washington, United States | Catchweight at 160 lb. |
| Loss | 12–5 | Aaron Riley | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 91 | November 15, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Loss | 12–4 | Cole Miller | Submission (triangle choke) | UFC 86 | July 5, 2008 | 3 | 4:48 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 12–3 | John Halverson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 82 | March 1, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | |
| Loss | 11–3 | Alvin Robinson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 77 | October 20, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Cincinnati, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 11–2 | Diego Saraiva | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 73 | July 7, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Sacramento, California, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 10–2 | Danny Abbadi | Decision (split) | UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn | September 23, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| Loss | 9–2 | Mark Hominick | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night 5 | June 28, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Jason Ireland | Submission (guillotine choke) | KOTC 48: Payback | February 25, 2005 | 3 | 2:25 | Cleveland, Ohio, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Joe Jordan | Submission (guillotine choke) | Extreme Challenge 56 | March 26, 2004 | 1 | 1:55 | Medina, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Gin Minajev | Submission (guillotine choke) | Extreme Challenge 56 | March 26, 2004 | 3 | 1:00 | Medina, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Steve Kinnison | Submission (guillotine choke) | Freestyle Fighting Championships 8 | March 5, 2004 | 2 | 1:08 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Masakazu Imanari | Submission (heel hook) | ZST: Grand Prix Opening Round | November 23, 2003 | 1 | 0:32 | Tokyo, Japan | |
| Win | 5–0 | Luke Spencer | TKO (submission to punches) | Absolute Combat Challenge 1 | July 19, 2003 | 3 | 1:55 | Canton, Ohio, United States | Won the Absolute Combat Challenge Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–0 | Justin James | Submission (armbar) | VFC 4: Wildcard | April 19, 2003 | 1 | 3:51 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Gin Minajev | Submission (guillotine choke) | ICC 1: Retribution | January 12, 2003 | 1 | 2:18 | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Calib Carr | Submission (armbar) | UW: St. Cloud 2 | March 16, 2002 | 1 | 0:18 | St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Elvin Rodriguez | Submission (armbar) | UW: St. Cloud 2 | March 16, 2002 | 1 | 1:10 | St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States | |