Paulo Filho
From FightWiki
 |
Name | Paulo Filho |
| Nickname | Ely / Paulao | |
| Association | Team Link / Black House | |
| Weight Class | Middleweight (185 lbs.) | |
| Height | 5' 8" (173cm) | |
| Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo | |
| Birth Date | May 24, 1978 | |
| Fighting Out Of | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Country | Brazil | |
| Paulo Filho Pictures | Official Website |
Paulo Fernando de Souza Leite Filho is a Brazilian mixed martial artist as well as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo practitioner, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Filho was the last WEC Middleweight Champion. He is often compared (in fighting style and appearance) to his former teammate Ricardo Arona. He currently trains with Team Link, in Ludlow, Massachusetts, along with UFC Heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga.
Contents |
Professional Record
| Record | 20 - 1 - 1 (Win – Loss – Draw) |
| Wins | 2 (T)KOs 9 Submissions 8 Decisions 1 Other |
| Losses | 0 (T)KOs 0 Submissions 1 Decisions |
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event Title | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draw | Denis Kang | Draw | Impact FC 2 - The Uprising: Sydney | 7/18/2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Return to Middleweight |
| Win | Daniel Gabriel | Submission (Punches) | MF: Memorial Fight Qualifying | 6/04/2010 | 1 | N/A | Heavyweight bout |
| Win | Tatsuhiko Nishizaka | Submission (Kimura) | BCN 5: Bitetti Combat 5 | 12/12/2009 | 1 | 3:00 | Light Heavyweight bout |
| Win | Alex Schoenauer | Decision (Unanimous) | BCN 4: Bitetti Combat Nordeste 4 | 9/12/2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Light Heavyweight bout |
| Win | Melvin Manhoef | Submission (Armbar) | DREAM 10: Welterweight Grand Prix 2009 Second Round | 7/20/2009 | 1 | 2:36 | |
| Loss | Chael Sonnen | Decision (Unanimous) | WEC 36: Faber vs. Brown | 11/05/2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Bout changed to non-title fight after Filho failed to make weight |
| Win | Chael Sonnen | Verbal Submission (Armbar) | WEC 31: Faber vs. Curran | 12/12/2007 | 2 | 4:55 | Defended WEC Middleweight Championship |
| Win | Joe Doerksen | TKO (Punches) | WEC 29: Filho vs. Doerksen | 8/05/2007 | 1 | 4:07 | Won vacant WEC Middleweight Championship |
| Win | Kazuo Misaki | Submission (Armbar) | PRIDE Bushido 13 | 11/05/2006 | 1 | 9:43 | PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinal |
| Win | Ryo Chonan | Submission (Armbar) | PRIDE Bushido 12 | 8/26/2006 | 1 | 2:30 | PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal |
| Win | Gregory Bouchelaghem | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE Bushido 11 | 6/04/2006 | 2 | 5:00 | PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix First round |
| Win | Murilo Rua | Decision (Unanimous) | PRIDE Bushido 10 | 4/02/2006 | 2 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Ryuta Sakurai | Submission (Armbar) | PRIDE Bushido 9 | 9/25/2005 | 1 | 3:49 | |
| Win | Amar Suloev | Submission (Armbar) | PRIDE Bushido 6 | 4/03/2005 | 1 | 4:22 | |
| Win | Akira Shoji | Decision (Split) | PRIDE Bushido 4 | 7/19/2004 | 2 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Daijiro Matsui | Decision (Unanimous) | Gladiator FC: Day 2 | 6/07/2004 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Silmar Rodrigo | Decision (Unanimous) | BCN 3: Bitetti Combat Nordeste 3 | 4/01/2004 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Akira Shoji | Submission (Armbar) | PRIDE 22: Beasts from the East 2 | 9/29/2002 | 1 | 2:48 | |
| Win | Yuki Kondo | Decision (Unanimous) | DEEP: 2nd Impact | 8/18/2001 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Ikuhisa Minowa | Decision (Unanimous) | Pancrase: Proof 2 | 3/31/2001 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Keiichiro Yamamiya | TKO (Punches) | DEEP: 1st Impact | 1/08/2001 | 2 | 0:29 | |
| Win | Luiz Claudio das Dores | Submission (Punches) | Heroes: Heroes 1 | 7/24/2000 | 2 | N/A | |
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Pride FC
During his stint in PRIDE, Filho was the only undefeated entrant in the 2006 PRIDE Welterweight Grand Prix, but he did not win the tournament as an injury kept him from the tournament finals. In the semi-finals of the tournament on PRIDE Bushido 13, November 5, 2006, Filho defeated Kazuo Misaki by Armbar. Unfortunately, Filho suffered a ruptured membrane in his knee during the fight, forcing him to withdraw from the Grand Prix finals match against Denis Kang, who also suffered injury with a torn biceps in the semi-finals. Filho was replaced by Misaki, who went on to defeat an already injured Kang and claim the Grand Prix title.
So far, Filho's most notable wins include Kazuo Misaki, Amar Suloev and Yuki Kondo, as well as Murilo Rua and Ikuhisa Minowa.
World Extreme Cagefighting
He signed with the WEC and fought for the vacant middleweight title on August 5, 2007, at WEC 29. Filho defeated Canadian jiu-jitsu fighter Joe Doerksen via TKO (strikes) at 4:07 of the first round.
His first title defense occurred at WEC 31, where he was awarded a controversial win over 2-time NCAA Wrestling Champion Chael Sonnen by Armbar at 4:55 in the second round. Due to controversy stemming from the fight stoppage (Sonnen's screams of pain were taken as a verbal submission by the referee, despite his objections), a rematch was then announced to headline WEC 34. However on March 14th Filho pulled out of this bout due to the fact that he had checked into a substance abuse rehab facility. Filho faced Sonnen at WEC 36 on November 5th live on Versus. Filho missed weight for this match, however the contest went ahead as a non-title three round fight. Sonnen dominated the fight and took a unanimous decision victory. Throughout the fight Filho seemed disturbed, disoriented, and confused. Many questioned Filho and his mindframe and whether he still wanted to fight.
DREAM and Bitetti
Filho made his long awaited return to mixed martial arts at DREAM 10: Welterweight Grand Prix 2009 Final Round on July 20, 2009 when he fought the heavy handed Melvin Manhoef in Saitama, Japan. Manhoef started out strong, only to get caught in an Armbar at 2:36 of the first round. Filho showed great perseverance and a good chin in the fight, weathering an onslaught of strikes from the dangerous Manhoef before executing a powerful takedown that immediately put him in half guard, which he then swiftly transitioned into a full mount whilst at the same time trapping Melvin's left arm. He quickly secured an Armbar to win the bout in the first round.
Filho was scheduled to face Dong Sik Yoon on October 25, 2009 at DREAM 12: Cage of the Rising Sun, but failed to show up and was replaced on the card by Tarec Saffiedine.
On September 12, 2009 in Brazil, Filho defeated Alex Schoenauer via Decision (Unanimous). Returning to Bitetti Combat again in December of 2009, Filho faced off against Tatsuhiko Nishizaka, submitting his opponent with a Kimura in the first round.
Filho was supposed to return to a Bitetti Combat event, against Yuki Sasaki, in the main event, but Filho pulled out of the fight, citing the same personal issues as had previously kept him out of competition.
Filho was once against supposed to return to action, this time at Bellator 18 on May 13, 2010 where he would face off against reigning Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard. The fight, though, was not to be for Lombard's title, but rather a non-title "Super-Fight." Unfortunately, in the end, Filho, who in the past had pulled out of numerous fights due to personal issues, ended up pulling out of the fight two days before the event, though this time it was said that he was scratched due to problems with his visa after his managers reportedly made mistakes. Jay Silva, a former UFC veteran, who was already scheduled to make an appearance on the card, replaced Filho.
- “It seems the event took too long in sending out the letter I needed to present at the consulate and I’m not sure but it could be there was some kind of failure on the part of my managers. So, I won’t get my visa in time,” said Filho during a recent conversation with Gracie Magazine.
He finally returned to action at Impact FC 2 - The Uprising: Sydney, where he Drew with Denis Kang. The bout was initially slated for PRIDE's 2006 Middleweight Grand Prix, but was scratched due to injury. The mostly grappling affair resulted in no clear-cut winner, which was reflected in the range of scores. One judge had it 29-28 for Filho, one had it 30-27 for Kang, and the third had it 29-29.
Championships and Accomplishments
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- CBJJ World Championships
- 1999 Black Belt Pesado : 2nd Place
- 1998 Brown Belt Pesado : 2nd Place
- 1997 Purple Belt Pesado : 1st Place
- CBJJ Brazilian Championships
- 2000 Black Belt Pesado: 2nd Place
- 1999 Black Belt Pesado: 2nd Place
- 1998 Brown Belt Pesado: 1st Place
- 1996 Blue Belt Esadissimo: 1st Place
He got his black belt in Judo in '96 from Clube de Regatas Flamengo. His black belt in BJJ was awarded in 1998, from Carlson Gracie.
Mixed Martial Arts
- WEC Middleweight Champion (1 Successful defense)
