Rafael Assuncao
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Name | Rafael Assuncao |
| Nickname | N/A | |
| Association | Ascension Mixed Martial Arts | |
| Weight Class | Featherweight (145 lbs.) | |
| Height | 5' 5" (165 cm) | |
| Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai | |
| Birth Date | July 19, 1982 | |
| Fighting Out Of | Atlanta, Georgia | |
| Country | USA | |
| Rafael Assuncao Pictures | Official Website |
Rafael Assuncao is a professional mixed martial arts fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who currently competes in the Featherweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. His brother Junior Assuncao has also fought for the UFC.
Contents |
[edit] Professional Record
| Record | 19 - 4 - 0 (Win – Loss – Draw) |
| Wins | 3 (T)KOs 9 Submissions 7 Decisions |
| Losses | 1 (T)KOs 1 Submissions 2 Decisions |
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event Title | Date | Round | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Mike Easton | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC on FOX 5: Henderson vs. Diaz | 12/8/2012 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Issei Tamura | TKO (Punches) | UFC on FUEL TV 4: Munoz vs. Weidman | 7/11/2012 | 2 | 0:25 | |
| Win | Johnny Eduardo | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami | 8/27/2011 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Erik Koch | KO (Punch) | UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones | 3/19/2011 | 1 | 2:32 | |
| Win | L.C. Davis | Decision (Unanimous) | WEC 52: Faber vs. Mizugaki | 11/11/2010 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Diego Nunes | Decision (Split) | WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus | 6/20/2010 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Loss | Urijah Faber | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | WEC 46: Varner vs. Henderson | 1/10/2010 | 3 | 3:49 | Bout to determine #1 Contender |
| Win | Yves Jabouin | Decision (Split) | WEC 43: Cerrone vs. Henderson | 10/10/2009 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Jameel Massouh | Decision (Unanimous) | WEC 40: Torres vs. Mizugaki | 4/05/2009 | 3 | 5:00 | WEC debut |
| Win | Joe Pearson | KO | IC 12: Resurrection | 11/08/2008 | 1 | 0:12 | |
| Win | Aaron Williams | Submission (Armbar) | AFL: Erupption | 3/07/2008 | 1 | N/A | |
| Win | Kevin Gittemeir | Decision (Unanimous) | ISCF: Head on Collision | 6/01/2007 | 3 | N/A | |
| Win | Tyler Grunwald | Submission (Armbar) | ISCF: Battle of Rome 2 | 4/21/2007 | 1 | N/A | |
| Loss | Jeff Curran | Decision (Majority) | XFO 13: Operation Beatdown | 11/11/2006 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | James Birdsley | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | BW: Border Warz | 10/14/2006 | 3 | 1:42 | |
| Win | Nick Mamalis | Submission (Armbar) | ROF 26: Relentless | 9/09/2006 | 1 | 3:35 | |
| Win | Joe Lauzon | Submission | AFC 15: Absolute Fighting Championships 15 | 2/18/2006 | 2 | N/A | |
| Win | William McGlothlin | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | FT 4: Full Throttle 4 | 9/09/2005 | 2 | 3:58 | |
| Win | Jorge Masvidal | Decision (Unanimous) | FT 1: Full Throttle 1 | 4/21/2005 | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Win | Brandon Bledsoe | Submission (Armbar) | ISCF: Compound Fracture 2 | 2/04/2005 | 1 | 2:31 | |
| Win | Chad Lawshe | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | ISCF: Compound Fracture | 10/15/2004 | 1 | 0:54 | |
| Win | Scott Johnson | Submission (Armbar) | ISCF: Anarchy in August 2 | 8/07/2004 | 1 | 2:41 | |
| Win | Chris Clark | TKO (Punches) | ISCF: Friday Night Fight | 1/23/2004 | 1 | N/A | |
[edit] Mixed Martial Arts Career
Rafael Assuncao began competing in mixed martial arts in 2004, winning his first eight fights and racking up wins against notable competitors such as Jorge Masvidal and Joe Lauzon. His first, and only, career loss came at the hands of former WEC Featherweight title challenger Jeff Curran. Assuncao bounced back with four straight wins before signing an exclusive contract with the Zuffa owned World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).
[edit] WEC Career
Assuncao made his WEC debut at WEC 40: Torres vs. Mizugaki on April 5, 2009 against Jameel Massouh who was also making is debut with the organization. Assuncao controlled the majority of the fight, winning a unanimous decision victory.
Assuncao's next opponent was Yves Jabouin, whom he fought at WEC 43: Cerrone vs. Henderson on October 10, 2009. The fight went to the judges score cards, with Assuncao walking away the victor via split decision.
With impressive victories in the WEC, the promotion set up a bout to determine the #1 contender for then Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. Assuncao faced former dominant Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber on January 10, 2010 at WEC 46: Varner vs. Henderson. Faber, the home-town hero, controlled much of the fight, and in the third frame landed a right hand that put Assuncao down, setting up a ground-and-pound attack that forced the Brazilian to scramble to his feet. When he did, Faber leapt on his back and secured the fight-ending Rear Naked Choke.
Hoping to return to the winning ways, Assuncao returned at WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus, where he faced Diego Nunes, who was also coming off a loss. Unfortunately, Assuncao lost the fight by Decision (Split). The loss was his second in a row, after winning his first two fights with the promotion.
[edit] Ranks and Titles
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt
- Pan American champion
- Shotokan 2004 champion
