Gabriel Gonzaga returns to UFC 142; replaces Rob Broughton to fight Edinaldo Oliveira – UFC News
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a place where twists and turns keep the fans amused. Such a twist was seen on December 16, 2011 when Brazilian mixed martial art (MMA) fighter Gabriel Gonzaga made his return into the
UFC. He has not only signed a contract with the promotion, but he has been replaced by English MMA fighter Rob Broughton at UFC 142.
According to UFC officials, Rob Broughton was pulled out of the event to be held on January 14, 2012 due to an injury and Gonzaga has been brought into the bout as his replacement. Gonzaga would face Broughton’s opponent Edinaldo
Oliveira, who is also a Brazilian MMA fighter.
Once UFC had announced the news there were still speculation whether injured Broughton would take part in the bout or not. Marco Alvan, Gonzaga’s trainer and manager confirmed the news on December 16, 2011. It has also reported
by the UFC that Gonzaga has signed a new four-year deal with the UFC which now makes him a permanent UFC fighter.
The last time Gonzaga fought for the UFC was at UFC 121 in October 2010 where he was defeated by Brendan Schaub. This was Gonzaga’s second straight defeat in 2010 as he had earlier lost to Junior dos Santos at UFC Live event in
March 2010.
When Gonzaga lost his bout at UFC 121, news were circulated that he might announce his retirement. But in October 2011 when he won the bout against Parker Porter at Reality Fighting and won the Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship,
it was only then he thought of extending his MMA career. Inside the UFC ring, Gonzaga is remembered for his infamous defeat by the hands of UFC legend Randy Couture at UFC 74 in August 2007. This bout was for the UFC Heavyweight Championship which Gonzaga
was unable to win.
Gonzaga, the 32-year-old fighter will now make his return into the UFC in front of his home crowd in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil when UFC 142 takes over the South American country. He will face 27-year-old compatriot MMA fighter Oliveira
who will make his UFC debut in the event. For Gonzaga this will be a new leash on his MMA and UFC career and he would be looking forward to prove his worth. On the other hand, Oliveira would be eager to step into the UFC ring for the first time and make an
impact.
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