| Gurgel: ‘I Don’t Consider Fighting Hard’ |
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| Written by Maxwell Destree | |||||||
| Sunday, 27 December 2009 16:28 | |||||||
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Gurgel was born in Fortaleza Brazil, and currently lives in Cincinnati Ohio. He moved to Ohio in 1998 to pursue a career in MMA, and he’s been promoting the sport ever since.
The Ohioan owns 16 gyms known as J G Mixed Martial Arts Academy that feature over 600 students. The lightweight fighter also says he owned a gym in Madison, Wisconsin at one time but had to close it down because he didn’t have enough time for the students.
Gurgel is known and loved by many MMA fans since he appeared on The Ultimate Fighter (Season 2) with Coaches Rich Franklin and Matt Hughes. Although he did not win the show, the TV show gave the Brazilian native an opportunity to showcase his skills on the world’s biggest stage. The Rich Franklin teammate fought in the UFC from 2006 until the end of 2008 going 3-4 in his time.
It was during this stretch of time that the exciting lightweight had his most devastating loss. “Emotionally the only fight that messed with my head was the Cole Miller fight,” said Gurgel. He fought Miller in July of 2008 and was winning the fight until, with only :12 seconds left in the fight, the TUF cast member found himself tapping out to a triangle. It was a tough loss explains Gurgel because his family was in attendance for the first time ever in the young fighter’s career. “It was the first time I was depressed, it really hit me hard,” recalls Gurgel.
Despite the loss, the optimistic Gurgel says he has never had a tough fight, honestly. “I have so much fun fighting, I love it so much, I don’t consider fighting hard,” said Gurgel. He admits that physically and emotionally it can be demanding, but he reiterates, “ I don’t think it’s hard, it’s a let out for everything we do.”
It’s this passion for fighting and the sport that has kept the Ohio fighter busy. The TUF 2 alumni says he has participated in over 1,000 seminars in the last several years, making him one of the most active current fighters in the sport. Gurgel says he is excited to participate in the Midwest MMA Expo outside of teaching his own seminar.
As far as his seminar goes, he says he has learned not to prepare anything specific. He says he decides on the content of his seminar once he meets the crowd, “I feel it out,” he states.
Besides directly participating in the Expo he feels the event is good for MMA not only in the Midwest, but on a national scale too. “The media which is predominantly west or east coast, doesn’t give enough credit to the Midwest fighters, and coaches,” said the UFC veteran. Gurgel points out that Ohio is a huge fighting state, the number two in the US behind California. The Ohioan argues that, “you can’t be putting Bas Rutten, Ken Shamrock, and Royce Gracie on the cover of everything.” If one wants to promote the sport, then the young, up-and-comers need recognition he explains. The Brazilian finishes by stating, “I am sick and tired of hearing about these fighters from California, I beat them up all the time.”
When informed about the Combat USA tournament and the filming requirements of the participants, Gurgel had a little advice for the fighters. During the actual fights, he suggests to ignore a lot of the external things, and “just take it as another day”.
He also suggests that the fighters be sure to listen to their corner men. He explains that they have the fighter’s best interest in mind, and can see some things that perhaps the fighter doesn’t see. “I’ve been horrible at listening to my corner, but now I do, and it has helped me,” admits Gurgel.
Despite keeping a busy work schedule and helping out with seminars the lightweight fighter hasn’t forgotten where his passion lies “I’m a fighter first and a teacher second,” said Gurgel.
After his stint in the UFC, the rival promotion “Strikeforce” wasted no time in signing the Brazilian. The explosive lightweight is 1-1 in the Strikeforce promotion and 13-6 in his career, with his last loss coming in his most recent fight.
Billy Evangelista beat Gurgel by unanimous decision at Strikeforce Challengers Series 4 this last November. Despite the loss, Gurgel hasn’t lost his focus on his number one goal. “I want to be a world champion, I will be a champion,” he proclaims.
(Photo Courtesy of Sherdog.com)
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Comments (1)
Ron Faircloth
said:
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The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 2 cast member Jorge Gurgel loves the sport of MMA and is looking forward to setting the Midwest MMA scene apart from the rest of the country. Gurgel spends more time than any other active fighter on giving seminars, and promoting the sport, and he is looking forward to participating in the Midwest MMA Expo this January.
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... Anyone who gets to meet Jorge, please remind him that Mark Plavcan and Ron Faircloth wield the Bat-wing, the Brain, and the Fruit Basket far better than he ever could. We had our pieces in place and ready prior to his arrival and we put it all out there to win the full frontal game. I'm sure Jorge wants to remember seeing man-business at every turn while in Madison. Thanks in advance for your help. |
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