Rafaello Oliveira facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rafaello Oliveira |
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Oliveira in 2009
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| Born | Rafaello Oliveira Ferreira January 26, 1982 Recife, Brazil |
| Other names | Tractor |
| Residence | Charleston, South Carolina, United States |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Reach | 71.5 in (182 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | Charleston, South Carolina, United States |
| Team | Charleston Krav Maga & MMA AMA Fight Club |
| Rank | black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 25 |
| Wins | 17 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 5 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Unknown | 2 |
| Losses | 8 |
| By knockout | 4 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 2 |
Rafaello Oliveira Ferreira (born January 26, 1982) is a skilled Brazilian mixed martial artist. He used to compete in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is often called the UFC.
Rafaello Oliveira's Fighting Journey
Rafaello Oliveira started learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when he was 16 years old. This martial art focuses on grappling and ground fighting. He began his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career in 2004 in his home country of Brazil.
In 2007, he moved to the United States. He settled in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 2008. There, he worked as an instructor at the Knoxville Martial Arts Academy. Later, in 2012, he moved to Charleston, South Carolina. He taught at Charleston Krav Maga and now teaches at his own school, Houzn Jiu Jitsu Academy, in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.
Fighting in the Ultimate Fighting Championship
In August 2009, Rafaello Oliveira got the chance to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). His first fight was at UFC 103. He was supposed to fight Dan Lauzon, but Dan got hurt. So, Oliveira fought Nik Lentz instead. Even though Oliveira fought hard, he lost the fight by a decision from the judges.
His next fight was planned for January 2, 2010, at UFC 108. He was set to face Sean Sherk. But another fighter, Tyson Griffin, got injured. This meant Sean Sherk had to fight Jim Miller instead. So, Oliveira ended up fighting John Gunderson. Oliveira won this fight by a unanimous decision, which means all the judges agreed he won. This was his first victory in the UFC.
Oliveira's next match was against Andre Winner on March 31, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 21. He stepped in to replace an injured Cole Miller. Oliveira lost this fight by a unanimous decision. After this loss, he was no longer part of the UFC.
However, in May 2011, the UFC signed Oliveira again! He faced Gleison Tibau on May 28, 2011, at UFC 130. Oliveira lost this fight by submission in the second round. This means his opponent used a move to make him give up.
Oliveira then fought Yves Edwards on October 1, 2011, at UFC on Versus 6. He lost this fight by TKO (Technical Knockout) in the second round. A TKO happens when the referee stops the fight because one fighter can't safely continue.
He was supposed to fight Reza Madadi on January 20, 2012, at UFC on FX 1. But Oliveira got injured and had to pull out of the fight.
Oliveira fought Yoislandy Izquierdo on July 7, 2012, at UFC 148. He won this fight by unanimous decision.
Another fight was planned for Oliveira against Michael Chiesa on December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5. But Oliveira broke his hand and couldn't fight.
Oliveira faced Edson Barboza at UFC 162. He lost this fight in the second round because of leg kicks.
His last fight in the UFC was against Erik Koch on February 22, 2014, at UFC 170. He lost this fight by TKO in the first round after being knocked down. Soon after, he was released from the UFC again.
Personal Life
Rafaello Oliveira is married to Wanessa Carolina. They have three children together.
