Fernando_Gonzalez_(fighter)

Fernando Gonzalez (fighter)

Fernando Gonzalez (fighter)

American mixed martial arts fighter


Fernando Esparza Gonzalez (born September 15, 1983)[3] is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2003, Gonzalez has also competed for the WEC, King of the Cage, Bellator MMA, Absolute Championship Akhmat, and Strikeforce. Also a successful competitor in Muay Thai, Gonzalez is the former WBC National Muay Thai Cruiserweight Champion.[4]

Quick Facts Born, Other names ...

Background

Born in Escondido, California, Gonzalez began boxing at the age of five. During high school, Gonzalez competed in football and began training in mixed martial arts after graduating at the age of 19.[5]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career: WEC

Gonzalez made his MMA and WEC debut against Mike Castillo on October 17, 2003, at WEC 8. He was victorious via first-round TKO.[6]

After going 7–3 in his next ten bouts, Gonzalez returned to the promotion when he faced Jimmy Dexter at WEC 20, defeating him via rear-naked choke submission.[7]

He next faced Alex Stiebling at WEC 23 on August 17, 2006. He won the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage in the first round.[8]

Gonzalez faced Brendan Seguin at WEC 25 on January 20, 2007. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[9]

In what would be his last fight for the promotion, Gonzalez faced Hiromitsu Miura at WEC 29 on August 5, 2007. He lost the fight via submission due to punches in the second round.[10]

Strikeforce

Gonzalez made his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal on December 17, 2011. He faced Eddie Mendez and lost via split decision.[11]

Bellator MMA

Gonzalez made his Bellator debut on July 25, 2014, when he faced Bellator season 6 welterweight tournament winner Karl Amoussou at Bellator 122. Despite coming in as an underdog, Gonzalez pulled off the upset, winning via unanimous decision.[12]

In his second appearance for Bellator, Gonzalez was expected to face Justin Baesman at Bellator 127 on October 3, 2014. However, Karo Parisyan's opponent, Marius Žaromskis, was removed from their scheduled bout on the same card, so Gonzalez stepped in as a replacement.[13] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[14] In his post-fight drug test, Gonzalez tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).[15] As a result, Gonzalez was suspended for 30 days in the state of California by the CSAC and fined $315.[16]

Gonzalez faced Marius Žaromskis at Bellator 132 on January 16, 2015.[17] He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Gonzalez next faced Curtis Millender at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015.[18] He won the fight via submission in the third round, bringing his Bellator record to 4–0. After the fight it was revealed by the CSAC that Gonzalez tested positive for marijuana; his second violation while with the promotion.[19]

On March 4, 2016, Gonzalez fought Gilbert Smith at Bellator 151. He won the fight by split decision.[20]

Gonzalez fought Michael Page on November 19, 2016, at Bellator 165.[21] He lost the fight via split decision.

After his first loss in the promotion, Gonzalez was scheduled to face former Bellator Welterweight Champion, Andrey Koreshkov, at Bellator 174 on March 3, 2017. However, an injury forced Koreshkov out of the bout.[22] Instead, Gonzalez faced Brandon Girtz at the event and won via unanimous decision.[23]

Gonzalez faced Brennan Ward at Bellator 182 on August 25, 2017. Originally a catchweight of 178 pounds, Gonzalez missed weight and came in at 180 pounds. He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the third round.[24]

Gonzalez faced Lorenz Larkin in a catchweight bout at Bellator 193 on January 26, 2018.[25] Gonzalez missed weight for the third time in a row.[26] After surviving a late flurry of strikes in the third round, Gonzalez lost the fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.[27][28]

Post-Bellator

Gonzalez faced Gabriel Checco on March 9, 2019 at California Xtreme Fighting (CXF 17) and won by split decision.[29]

Gonzalez faced Elias Silvério on June 8, 2019 at ACA 96 on and lost by unanimous decision.[30]

Gonzalez faced Abubakar Vagaev on October 4, 2019 at ACA 100 and lost by unanimous decision.[31]

Gonzalez faced Ty Freeman on May 29, 2021 at J Street Fights 1 and won by knockout in the third round.[32]

Gonzalez faced Sidiah Parker on August 28, 2021 at NWFA 1: Retribution and lost by unanimous decision.[33]

Gonzalez faced Maki Pitolo on March 4, 2022 at Tuff-N-Uff 127 and lost by unanimous decision.[34]

Bare-knuckle boxing

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

Gonzalez made his debut against Vincent Familari in a middleweight bout at BKFC: Knucklemania IV on April 27, 2024.[35] He lost the bout by unanimous decision.[36]

Personal life

Gonzalez and his wife have children.[37]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
49 matches 29 wins 20 losses
By knockout 10 2
By submission 8 5
By decision 11 13
More information Res., Record ...

Kickboxing record

More information Date, Result ...

Bare knuckle boxing record

Professional record breakdown
1 match 0 wins 1 loss
By decision 0 1
More information Res., Record ...

References

  1. "Fernando Gonzalez: "I'm trying to finish the fight every single time I'm in the cage" - Bellator MMA". Archived from the original on 2015-01-15. Retrieved 2015-01-15.
  2. "Fernando Gonzalez vs. Karl Amoussou". Sherdog.com. July 25, 2014.
  3. Steven Marrocco (2015-06-09). "Bellator's Mike Richman suspended two years after failed drug test". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2015-06-10.
  4. "Bellator's Michael Page to face Gonzalez in San Jose Nov. 19". bigstory.ap.org. 26 August 2016. Archived from the original on 8 October 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  5. John Morgan (January 26, 2018). "Bellator 193 results: Lorenz Larkin picks up first Bellator win". mmajunkie.com.
  6. Guilherme Cruz (2018-02-20). "Bellator trims roster, parts ways with 13 fighters". mmafighting.com.
  7. Bryant, Steve (2019-03-11). "CXF 17: March Madness - 09 March 2019 - Results". SoCalUNCENSORED.com. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  8. medialead.ru (2019-06-09). "ACA 96: Goncharov vs Johnson - Results". www.aca-mma.com. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  9. "NWFA 1: Retribution | MMA Event". Tapology. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  10. "BKFC KNUCKLEMANIA IV". Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships. Retrieved 2024-04-11.
  11. "Fernando Gonzalez: "I'm trying to finish the fight every single time I'm in the cage"". bellator.com. January 11, 2015. Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.

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