Gabriel Gonzaga returns to MMA in Reality Fighting headliner opposite Parker Porter

by Jesse Holland on Oct 5, 2011 11:16 AM EDT in Regional MMA News & Results

Former UFC heavyweight number one contender Gabriel Gonzaga (11-6) returns to mixed martial arts nearly a year after his Zuffa release to challenge Reality Fighting Heavyweight Champion Parker Porter (5-2).

"Gonzaga vs. Porter" takes place this Saturday night (Oct. 8) at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.

"Napao" made his Octagon debut at UFC 56 way back in November 2005, knocking out Kevin Jordan with a Superman punch. He would finish his next two opponents before landing the head kick heard 'round the world, a frightening first round stoppage over PRIDE legend Mirko Filipovic.

Killing "Cro Cop" earned him a shot at then-UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture at UFC 74, but he was overwhelmed by "The Natural" and pounded out in the third frame.

It was all down hill from there, as Gonzaga went 3-5 over his last eight fights in the UFC and got released after an uninspiring unanimous decision loss to Brendan Schaub at UFC 121 last October.

Also in action, lightweight champion Matt Bessette (6-1) takes on Joe Proctor (5-0) while bantamweight champion John McLaughlin (4-0) takes on former wrestling teammate Emil Haddad (2-0).

Here is the remainder of the Reality Fighting line-up for Oct. 8:

Middleweight Fight
Erik Purcell (Ricardo Almeida) vs. Dwight Grant (Anderson's MA)

Middleweight Fight
Jay Ward (Black Dragon) vs. Erik Sommer (CTMMA)

Featherweight Fight
Erik Lee (Blue Devils) vs. Kyel Rozewski (Victory MMA)

Lightweight Fight
Jeremy Ross (Gladiator BJJ) vs. Leroy Derricott (Nitsuj)

Heavyweight Fight
Eric Bedard (Gilett's MMA) vs. Dane Grove (Blue Devils)

Featherweight Fight
Joe Boxer (Black Dragon) vs. Steven Carr (CTMMA)

Featherweight Fight
John Naples (Strikezone) vs. Terin Swanson (Soul Fighters)

For more on this weekend's show click here.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Good stuff

Hopefully he’s recharged after the time off and makes a successful return.

by SHORT_BUS on Oct 5, 2011 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

We all know why his is fighting and I hope I am wrong I liked this guy when he was dedicated but this is why I think he is fighting.

"I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist
and that there are as few as there are any other great artists.
Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts
since the medium is the human mind and spirit."

by Edgecrusher71 on Oct 5, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Always wanted to see Gabriel vs Mir when he was in the UFC

Long live the dragon!!!

by Octagon Brilliance on Oct 5, 2011 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

Somewhere in my UFC DVD fault lays....

Kevin Jordan vs Gabriel Gonzaga, the most boring fight ever……they both gas at the end of the first then stare at each other for 10 min until Gonzaga throws everything he has left in one superman punch at the end. It’s boring but great at the same time.

Long live the dragon!!!

by Octagon Brilliance on Oct 5, 2011 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

see UFC Mir v. Cro Cop. They stole the fight idea

"with a good physique and explosiveness anybody can perform a takedown"
-RoBerto

by Lesnar's striking coach on Oct 5, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah forgot about that, that's what i heard anyway

I went to go see that fight at a local bar and i guess they got busted for just paying a ppv view instead of the per seat thing. It was a tragic day rip local bar viewed ufc 96 – 118 there.

Long live the dragon!!!

by Octagon Brilliance on Oct 5, 2011 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions