Raphael Assunção

Raphael Assunção
Born July 19, 1982
Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Nationality Brazilian
Height 5 ft 5.5 in (1.66 m)
Weight 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
Division Featherweight (2004-2011)
Bantamweight (2011-present)
Reach 67.5 in (171 cm)
Fighting out of Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Team Ascension Mixed Martial Arts
Rank Black Belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[1]
Years active 2004-present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 27
Wins 23
By knockout 3
By submission 10
By decision 10
Losses 4
By knockout 1
By submission 1
By decision 2
Notable relatives Junior Assunção, brother
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
last updated on: November 9, 2014

Raphael O. Assunção[2] (born July 19, 1982) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of September 29, 2014, he is #4 in official UFC Bantamweight rankings[3] and ranked the #5 Bantamweight in the world by Sherdog.[4]

Biography

Originally from Recife in Brazil, now lives and trains in Atlanta with Ascension MMA under Manu N'toh. He is also the brother of Júnior Assunção and Freddy Assunção who also fight as mixed martial artists.

Mixed martial arts career

World Extreme Cagefighting

Assunção joined the WEC in 2009, with a 12-1 professional record. He made his promotional debut on April 5, 2009 at WEC 40 against Jameel Massouh.[5] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[6]

He faced Yves Jabouin on September 2, 2009 at WEC 43.[7] Assunção won the back and forth fight by split decision.[8]

Assunção faced Urijah Faber on January 10, 2010 at WEC 46.[9] Faber won the fight via third-round submission.[10]

Assunção then faced Diego Nunes on June 20, 2010 at WEC 49.[11] He lost the fight via split decision.

Assunção faced LC Davis on November 11, 2010 at WEC 52.[12] Assunção won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championshipa. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[13]

Assunção was expected to face Manvel Gamburyan on March 19, 2011 at UFC 128,[14] but Gamburyan was forced out of the bout with a back injury[15] and replaced by Erik Koch.[16] He lost the fight via KO in the first round.

Assunção next faced UFC newcomer Johnny Eduardo on August 27, 2011 at UFC 134.[17] He won the fight via unanimous decision and was out up to 6 months with a possible nasal fracture.[18]

Assunção faced Issei Tamura on July 11, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman.[19]v He won the fight via second round TKO.[20]

Assunção faced Mike Easton on December 8, 2012 at UFC on Fox 5, replacing an injured Bryan Caraway.[21] He won the fight via unanimous decision despite suffering a broken arm during the first round.[22]

Assunção faced Vaughan Lee on June 8, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV 10.[23] He won the fight via armbar submission in the second round.[24]

Assunção was expected to face T.J. Dillashaw on September 4, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 28.[25] However, the pairing was delayed and is expected to take place at a later event this year due to a minor medical issue for Assunção.[26] The bout with Dillashaw was rescheduled and took place on October 9, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 29.[27] Assunção defeated Dillashaw via split decision.[28] The performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.[29]

Assunção was expected to face Francisco Rivera at UFC 170.[30] However, Rivera was forced from the bout due to a hand injury.[31] Assunção instead faced touted UFC newcomer Pedro Munhoz.[32] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[33]

Assunção was briefly linked to a Bantamweight Championship bout against Renan Barão on May 24, 2014 at UFC 173. However, Assunção opted to decline the bout as a rib injury sustained in his last bout at UFC 170 had not healed enough to resume the proper training in advance of the event.[34] Barão instead faced, and was ultimately defeated by T.J. Dillashaw.[35]

Assunção faced Bryan Caraway on October 4, 2014 at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine.[36] He doubled the numbers of strikes Caraway threw and caught him with knees to win a unanimous decision victory.[37]

On December 22, 2014, Assunção announced that he had suffered a broken ankle during training that would not require surgery, but is expected to be sidelined for up to 10 weeks.[38]

A rematch with perennial contender Urijah Faber was expected to headline UFC Fight Night 62 on March 21, 2015.[39] However, Assunção was forced out of the bout as an ankle first injured in mid-December of 2014 was slow to heal and that he was unable to resume the proper training to prepare for the fight in that time frame.[40][41]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 23–4 Bryan Caraway Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine October 4, 2014 3 5:00 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 22–4 Pedro Munhoz Decision (unanimous) UFC 170 February 22, 2014 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 21–4 T.J. Dillashaw Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields October 9, 2013 3 5:00 Barueri, Brazil Fight of the Night.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 20–4 Vaughan Lee Submission (armbar) UFC on Fuel TV: Nogueira vs. Werdum June 8, 2013 2 1:51 Fortaleza, Brazil
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 19–4 Mike Easton Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz December 8, 2012 3 5:00 Seattle, Washington, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 18–4 Issei Tamura TKO (punches) UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman July 11, 2012 2 0:25 San Jose, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 17–4 Johnny Eduardo Decision (unanimous) UFC 134 August 27, 2011 3 5:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Bantamweight debut.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 16–4 Erik Koch KO (punch) UFC 128 March 19, 2011 1 2:32 Newark, New Jersey, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 16–3 L.C. Davis Decision (unanimous) WEC 52 November 11, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 15–3 Diego Nunes Decision (split) WEC 49 June 20, 2010 3 5:00 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 15–2 Urijah Faber Submission (rear-naked choke) WEC 46 January 10, 2010 3 3:49 Sacramento, California, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 15–1 Yves Jabouin Decision (split) WEC 43 October 10, 2009 3 5:00 San Antonio, Texas, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 14–1 Jameel Massouh Decision (unanimous) WEC 40 April 5, 2009 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 13–1 Joe Pearson TKO (punches) IHC 12: Resurrection November 8, 2008 1 0:12 Chicago, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 12–1 Aaron Williams Submission (armbar) AFL: Eruption March 7, 2008 1 3:22 Lexington, Kentucky, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 11–1 Kevin Gittemeir Decision (unanimous) ISCF: Head-On Collision June 1, 2007 3 5:00 Kennesaw, Georgia, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 10–1 Tyler Grunwald Submission (triangle choke) ISCF: Battle of Rome 2 April 21, 2007 1 0:56 Rome, Georgia, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 9–1 Jeff Curran Decision (majority) XFO 13: Operation Beatdown November 11, 2006 3 5:00 Hoffman Estates, Illinois, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 9–0 James Birdsley Submission (rear-naked choke) Border Warz October 14, 2006 3 1:42 Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–0 Nick Mamalis Submission (armbar) ROF 26: Relentless September 9, 2006 1 3:35 Castle Rock, Colorado, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–0 Joe Lauzon Submission (armbar) Absolute Fighting Championships 15 February 18, 2006 2 4:37 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 William McGlothlin Submission (guillotine choke) Full Throttle 4 September 9, 2005 2 3:58 Duluth, Georgia, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 Jorge Masvidal Decision (unanimous) Full Throttle 1 April 21, 2005 3 5:00 Duluth, Georgia, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Brandon Bledsoe Submission (armbar) ISCF: Compound Fracture 2 February 4, 2005 1 2:31 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Chad Lawshe Submission (guillotine choke) ISCF: Compound Fracture October 15, 2004 1 0:54 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Scott Johnson Submission (armbar) ISCF: Anarchy in August 2 August 7, 2004 1 2:41 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Chris Clark TKO (punches) ISCF: Friday Night Fight January 23, 2004 1 N/A Atlanta, Georgia, United States

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Raphael Assuncao - Official UFC Fighter Profile". UFC.com. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "Fighter Rankings - UFC ®". Ufc.ca. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "Sherdog's Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings". sherdog.com.
  5. ↑ John Morgan (2009-03-01). "Rafael Assuncao vs. Jameel Massouh added to WEC 40". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
  6. ↑ Maggie Hendricks (2009-04-05). "Assuncao wins with unanimous decision". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
  7. ↑ "WEC confirms latest changes, "WEC 43: Cerrone vs. Henderson" fight card set". mmajunkie.com. 2009-09-25. Retrieved 2009-09-25.
  8. ↑ "WEC 43: Cerrone vs. Henderson on October 10 in San Antonio, Texas". MMAFrenzy.com. 2009-01-02. Retrieved 2009-08-29.
  9. ↑ "WEC 46 Fight Announcement: Urijah Faber v. Raphael Assuncao". sbnation.com. 2009-10-29. Retrieved 2009-10-29.
  10. ↑ "Faber taps Assuncao during WEC 46". fiveouncesofpain.com. 2010-01-11. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
  11. ↑ "Rafael Assuncao vs. Diego Nunes in the works for WEC 49 preliminary card". mmajunkie.com. 2010-04-30.
  12. ↑ "Raphael Assuncao vs. L.C. Davis targeted for WEC 52 in November". mmajunkie.com. 2010-09-22. Retrieved 2010-09-22.
  13. ↑ "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Gamburyan vs. Assuncao Official For UFC 128". MMAWeekly.com. 2011-01-13.
  15. ↑ "Manny Gamburyan Pulls Out Of UFC 128". mmafighting.com. February 25, 2011.
  16. ↑ "Erik Koch vs. Raphael Assuncao In The Works for UFC 128 in New Jersey". mmaweekly.com. February 26, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Raphael Assuncao vs. Johnny Eduardo added to UFC 134 prelims". mmajunkie.com. July 18, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Assuncao out 6 months possibly". mmajunkie. August 31, 2011.
  19. ↑ "Raphael Assuncao-Issei Tamura Booked for UFC on Fuel TV 4 in July". heavy.com. May 14, 2012.
  20. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2012-07-11). "News UFC on FUEL TV 4 results: Raphael Assuncao pounds out Issei Tamura in second". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  21. ↑ "Raphael Assuncao replaces Bryan Caraway, faces Mike Easton at UFC on FOX 5". mmajunkie. November 21, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Pic: Raphael Assuncao's broken arm suffered in win over Mike Easton at UFC on FOX 5". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  23. ↑ Mookie Alexander (April 4, 2013). "Raphael Assuncao vs. Vaughan Lee slated for UFC on Fuel 10". bloodyelbow.com.
  24. ↑ Mike Chiapette (2013-06-08). "UFC on FUEL 10 results: Raphael Assuncao taps out Vaughn Lee, says he wants a title shot". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2013-06-08.
  25. ↑ Christoffer Esping (July 12, 2013). "TJ Dillashaw möter Raphael Assuncao på UFC on FOX Sports 1 #3". mmanytt.se.
  26. ↑ Kelsey Mowatt (July 14, 2013). "Raphael Assuncao vs. T.J. Dillashaw Delayed". cagedinsider.com.
  27. ↑ Ivan Raupp (2013-08-14). "Raphael Assuncao and TJ Dillashaw face off at UFC Barueri (Brazilian Portuguese)". m.sportv.globo.com. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  28. ↑ Matt Erickson (2013-10-09). "UFC Fight Night 29 results, photos: Raphael Assuncao gets past T.J. Dillashaw". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
  29. ↑ Matt Erickson (2013-10-09). "UFC Fight Night 29 bonuses: Palhares snubbed for sub award". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
  30. ↑ Matt Erickson. "Raphael Assuncao meets Francisco Rivera at UFC 170 in Las Vegas". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-12-18.
  31. ↑ "Broken hand knocks Francisco Rivera from UFC 170 fight with Raphael Assuncao". mmajunkie.com. February 3, 2014.
  32. ↑ Zane Simon (2014-02-09). "Report: UFC signs Pedro Munhoz to fight Raphael Assuncao at UFC 170". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved 2014-02-09.
  33. ↑ Ben Fowlkes (2014-02-22). "UFC 170 results, photos: Raphael Assuncao tops Pedro Munhoz for sixth straight". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
  34. ↑ Staff (2014-03-28). "Raphael Assuncao explains why he isn't fighting Renan Barao at UFC 173". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
  35. ↑ John Morgan (2014-03-27). "UFC bantamweight champ Renan Barao faces T.J. Dillashaw in new UFC 173 headliner". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-03-27.
  36. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2014-08-06). "Bryan Caraway, Raphael Assuncao set to battle at UFC Fight Night Halifax". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-08-06.
  37. ↑ Ken Pishna (2014-10-04). "UFC Fight Night 54 Results: Raphael Assuncao dominates Bryan Caraway". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2014-10-04.
  38. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2014-12-22). "'Devastated' Raphael Assuncao breaks ankle in training". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2014-12-22.
  39. ↑ Staff (2015-01-21). "Urijah Faber vs. Raphael Assuncao headlines UFC Fight Night 62 in Brazil". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
  40. ↑ Guilherme Cruz (2015-02-02). "Raphael Assuncao injured, out of UFC Fight Night 62 main event with Urijah Faber". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2015-02-02.
  41. ↑ Steven Marrocco (2015-02-03). "Out of UFC headliner, Assuncao still targets champ Dillashaw: 'He knows I'm coming'". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-02-03.

External links