Paulo Filho(Portuguese pronunciation:[ˈpawluˈfiʎu];born May 24, 1978), is a Brazilian retiredmixed martial artistwho last competed in theMiddleweightdivision. A professional competitor from 2000 until 2014, Filho was the lastWEC Middleweight Champion,and also competed inPRIDE,DREAM,Pancrase,DEEP,Impact FC,and theWorld Series of Fighting.[4]
| Paulo Filho | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 24, 1978 Rio de Janeiro,Brazil |
| Other names | Ely |
| Residence | Niterói, Brazil |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st) |
| Division | Middleweight Light Heavyweight Heavyweight |
| Reach | 70 in (180 cm) |
| Style | Brazilian jiu-jitsu |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Fighting out of | Rio de Janeiro,Brazil |
| Team | Brazilian Top Team(until 2007, 2010–present)[1][2] |
| Rank | Black belt inBrazilian jiu-jitsuunderCarlson Gracie[3] Black belt inJudo |
| Years active | 2000–2014 |
| Mixed martial artsrecord | |
| Total | 32 |
| Wins | 23 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 8 |
| By decision | 10 |
| Losses | 6 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Draws | 3 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts recordfromSherdog | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing Brazil
| ||
| Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu | ||
| World Championships | ||
 |
1997 Rio de Janeiro | -94kg |
 |
1998 Rio de Janeiro | -94kg |
|
1999 Rio de Janeiro | -94kg |
Background
editFilho was born inGovernador Islandto aJewish-Braziliandad and aPernambuconative mom, inRio de Janeiro,he is the only child and was raised in Cocota until he and his family moved toZona Sulwhen Filho was eight years old. It was soon after moving to Copacabana in the Zona Sul area of Rio de Janeiro when Filho began training inBrazilian jiu-jitsuat theCarlson Gracieacademy, and then also began training injudo,and latermixed martial arts.[5]He did extremely well injudocompetitions and also injiu-jitsucompetitions becoming one ofCarlson Gracieprotege and he received his Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu fromCarlson Graciehimself when he was 20 years old. Filho has stated in several interviews that his career's goal have always been to defend Jiu-Jitsu and specially theGracie Familyas a whole. He has stated that "It is because of this family that I have everything in my life and for that I am forever grateful" He is well respected in theBrazilian Jiu-Jitsucommunity not just from fans but from high level competitors that have trained with him and consider him to be one of the best in the world. Filho is also apit bulllover and has a pit bull tattoo in his stomach.
Mixed martial arts career
editPRIDE Fighting Championships
editDuring his stint inPRIDE,Filho was the only undefeated entrant in the 2006 PRIDE Welterweight Grand Prix, but he did not win the tournament as an injury kept him from the tournament finals. In the semi-finals of the tournament onPRIDE Bushido 13,November 5, 2006, Filho defeatedKazuo Misakibyarmbar.Unfortunately, Filho suffered a ruptured membrane in his knee during the fight, forcing him to withdraw from the Grand Prix finals match againstDenis Kang,who also suffered injury with a torn biceps in the semi-finals.[6]Filho was replaced by Misaki, who went on to defeat an already injured Kang and claim the Grand Prix title. Filho's most notable wins includeKazuo Misaki,Amar SuloevandYuki Kondo,as well asMurilo RuaandIkuhisa Minowa.
World Extreme Cagefighting
editHe signed with theWorld Extreme Cagefightingand fought for the vacant middleweight title on August 5, 2007, atWEC 29.Filho defeated Canadian jiu-jitsu fighterJoe Doerksenvia TKO (strikes) at 4:07 of the first round. His first title defense occurred atWEC 31,where he was awarded a controversial win over 2-time National Wrestling ChampionChael Sonnenby armbar at 4:55 in the second round. Due to controversy stemming from the fight stoppage (Sonnen's screams of pain were taken as a verbal submission by the referee, despite his objections), Filho was scheduled to face Sonnen again atWEC 33.However, Filho pulled out of this bout because he had checked into a substance abuse rehab facility.[7]Filho faced Sonnen atWEC 36on November 5 live onVersus.Filho missed weight for this match, however the contest went ahead as a non-title three round fight.[8][9]Sonnen dominated the fight and took a unanimous decision victory. Throughout the fight Filho seemed disturbed, disoriented, and confused and his team has associated the episode with his extreme weigh cut.[10]After the WEC's middleweight division was absorbed into theUltimate Fighting Championshipin December 2008, Filho became a free agent and decided to take time off as he felt he lost the love for fighting.
DREAM
editFilho made hisDREAMdebut on July 20, 2009, when he took on light heavyweightMelvin ManhoefatDream 10inSaitama, Japan.Filho showed great perseverance and a good chin in the fight, weathering an onslaught of strikes from the dangerous Manhoef before executing a powerful takedown that immediately put him in half guard, from which he then swiftly transitioned into a full mount whilst at the same time trapping Melvin's left arm; he quickly secured anarmbarto win the bout in the first round.
Filho was scheduled to faceYoon Dong-Sikon October 25, 2009, atDream 12,[11]but failed to show up and was replaced on the card.[12]
Bitetti Combat
editFilho made his debut in one of Brazil's top promotions,Bitetti Combat,on September 12, 2009, at Bitetti Combat's 4th event against ArgentinianAlex Schoenauer.Filho controlled throughout the whole fight and pulled off a unanimous decision. He then fought Tatsuhiko Nishizaka on December 12, 2009, at Bitetti Combat 5. He easily took the fight to the ground, controlled and secured aKimurain the very first round.
He was scheduled to fight Yuki Sasaki in themain eventat Bitetti Combat 6 on February 25, 2010, but it was announced on February 22 that he had withdrawn from the bout due to "personal problems". Later that day, it was confirmed that Filho would in fact be fighting Sasaki. Filho then failed to show for the event'sweigh-in,forcing a last minute cancellation of his bout with Sasaki.[13]
Bellator Fighting Championships
editFilho was scheduled to faceBellator Fighting ChampionshipsMiddleweight championHector Lombardin a non-title bout on May 13, 2010, atBellator 18,[14]but Filho pulled out of the bout due to visa issues and was replaced byJay Silva.[15]
Future
editFilho made hisHeavyweightdebut and defeatedChileannewcomer Daniel Villegas on June 4, 2010, via first-round submission due to strikes.[16] Filho facedDenis Kangon July 17, 2010, for the Australian-based promotionImpact Fighting Championships.[17]They fought to a draw. In what came as a surprise decision to many, Filho was invited to participate in the ADCC submission grappling championship in Nottingham, England. Filho withdrew prior to the event due to injury. Paulo foughtSatoshi Ishiion September 14, 2011. The bout was ruled a draw.
Retirement
editOn October 19, 2011 Filho made the announcement he would be retiring from Mixed Martial Arts and may or may not fight at KSW.[18]During an interview Filho stated the reason for his retirement was his long struggle with substance abuse, he regretted that he was so far from where he could have been in MMA.
Back from retirement
editFilho returned from retirement to face former UFC fighterDave Branchin the World Series of Fighting 2 event on March 23, 2013. Filho was dominated by Branch in every aspect of the fight and lost a unanimous decision. Filho foughtAndré Munizat the Bitetti Combat 19 event on February 6, 2014. He again lost via a one sided unanimous decision.[19]
FollowingMelvin Manhoef's knockout ofEvangelista Santosat Gringo Superfight 10, Filho, who won their first outing by submission, entered the cage and challenged Manhoef to a rematch. Though Manhoef wasn't asked about the possible fight before the challenge, he later accepted, and GSF promoter Antonio Tolentino announced the rematch would take place in November 2014.[20]
Filho was expected to face Amilcar Alves at Fatality Arena 7 on September 21, 2014. However, Filho was pulled from the bout due to an apparent seizure.[21]In an interview with MMAFighting, Filho stated that it was personal issues that prevented him from competing.[22] Filho's trainer and personal friend Murilo Bustamante has stated that Filho has not "stepped foot at the academy pre-fight" to most of his bouts since WEC days.
Car accident
editIn 2017 Filho fractured his hip socket and left hand following a car accident where he crashed into another car. He has made a full recovery and spends his time now speaking with children and teaching Jiu-Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro.[23]
Championships and accomplishments
editThis section of abiography of a living persondoes notincludeanyreferences or sources.(February 2023) |
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
edit- CBJJ World Championships
- 1999
- Black Belt Pesado: 2nd Place
- 1998
- Brown Belt Pesado: 2nd Place
- 1997
- Purple Belt Pesado: 1st Place
- 1999
- CBJJ Brazilian Championships
- 2000
- Black Belt Pesado: 2nd Place
- 1999
- Black Belt Pesado: 2nd Place
- 1998
- Brown Belt Pesado: 1st Place
- 1996
- Blue Belt Pesadíssimo: 1st Place
- 2000
He got his Black Belt in Judo in '96 from Clube de Regatas Flamengo. His black belt in BJJ was awarded in 1998, from Carlson Gracie.
Mixed martial arts
edit- PRIDE Fighting Championships
- World Extreme Cagefighting
- WEC Middleweight Championship(One time, Last)
- One successful title defense
- WEC Middleweight Championship(One time, Last)
Submission grappling
edit- Abu Dhabi Combat Club
- 2005 ADCC Brazilian Trials Champion
Mixed martial arts record
edit| 32 matches | 23 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 0 |
| By submission | 8 | 0 |
| By decision | 10 | 6 |
| Draws | 3 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 23–6–3 | André Muniz | Decision (unanimous) | Bitetti Combat 19 | February 6, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Manaus,Amazonas,Brazil | For the Bitetti Combat Middleweight Championship. |
| Draw | 23–5–3 | Rodney Wallace | Draw (time limit expired) | Selva MMA 2 | August 4, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio Branco,Brazil | Bout declared a draw due to expiration of time and lack of judges. |
| Loss | 23–5–2 | David Branch | Decision (unanimous) | World Series of Fighting 2 | March 23, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey,United States | |
| Win | 23–4–2 | Murilo Rua | TKO (punches) | Best of the Best: Filho vs. Ninja II | September 6, 2012 | 1 | 0:47 | Belém,Brazil | |
| Draw | 22–4–2 | Satoshi Ishii | Draw | Amazon Forest Combat 1 | September 14, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Manaus,Brazil | Light Heavyweight bout. |
| Loss | 22–4–1 | Norman Paraisy | Decision (unanimous) | X-Combat Ultra: International Grand Prix | May 20, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro,Brazil | |
| Loss | 22–3–1 | Ronny Markes | Decision (unanimous) | International Fighter Championship | April 29, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Recife,Brazil | Light Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 22–2–1 | Jackson Mora | Decision (split) | World Fighting Combat: Pretorian | March 19, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro,Brazil | |
| Win | 21–2–1 | Yuki Sasaki | Decision (unanimous) | Bitetti Combat 8 | December 4, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | São Paulo,Brazil | |
| Loss | 20–2–1 | Marcos Rogério de Lima | Decision (unanimous) | First Class Fight 5 | October 23, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | São Paulo,Brazil | Light Heavyweight bout. |
| Draw | 20–1–1 | Denis Kang | Draw (split) | Impact FC 2 | July 18, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Sydney,Australia | Middleweight bout. |
| Win | 20–1 | Daniel Villegas | TKO (submission to punches) | Memorial Fight Qualifying | June 4, 2010 | 1 | N/A | São Paulo,Brazil | Heavyweight bout. Originally scheduled as a Light Heavyweight bout, however Filho weighed in at 218 lbs. |
| Win | 19–1 | Tatsuhiko Nishizaka | Submission (kimura) | Bitetti Combat 5 | December 12, 2009 | 1 | 3:00 | Barueri,Brazil | Light Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 18–1 | Alex Schoenauer | Decision (unanimous) | Bitetti Combat 4 | September 12, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro,Brazil | Light Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 17–1 | Melvin Manhoef | Submission (armbar) | DREAM 10 | July 20, 2009 | 1 | 2:35 | Saitama, Saitama,Japan | |
| Loss | 16–1 | Chael Sonnen | Decision (unanimous) | WEC 36: Faber vs. Brown | November 5, 2008 | 3 | 5:00 | Hollywood, Florida,United States | Non-title bout; Filho missed weight (192 lbs). |
| Win | 16–0 | Chael Sonnen | Submission (armbar) | WEC 31 | December 12, 2007 | 2 | 4:55 | Las Vegas, Nevada,United States | Defended theWEC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–0 | Joe Doerksen | TKO (punches) | WEC 29 | August 5, 2007 | 1 | 4:07 | Las Vegas, Nevada,United States | Won theWEC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 14–0 | Kazuo Misaki | Submission (armbar) | PRIDE Bushido 13 | November 5, 2006 | 1 | 9:43 | Yokohama,Japan | PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinal. |
| Win | 13–0 | Ryo Chonan | Submission (armbar) | PRIDE Bushido 12 | August 26, 2006 | 1 | 2:30 | Nagoya,Japan | PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 12–0 | Gregory Bouchelaghem | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE Bushido 11 | June 4, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Saitama,Japan | PRIDE 2006 Welterweight Grand Prix First Round. |
| Win | 11–0 | Murilo Rua | Decision (unanimous) | PRIDE Bushido 10 | April 2, 2006 | 2 | 5:00 | Tokyo,Japan | |
| Win | 10–0 | Ryuta Sakurai | Submission (armbar) | PRIDE Bushido 9 | September 25, 2005 | 1 | 3:49 | Tokyo,Japan | |
| Win | 9–0 | Amar Suloev | Submission (armbar) | PRIDE Bushido 6 | April 3, 2005 | 1 | 4:22 | Yokohama,Japan | Light Heavyweight bout. |
| Win | 8–0 | Akira Shoji | Decision (split) | PRIDE Bushido 4 | July 19, 2004 | 2 | 5:00 | Nagoya,Japan | |
| Win | 7–0 | Daijiro Matsui | Decision (unanimous) | Gladiator FC: Day 2 | June 27, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Seoul,South Korea | |
| Win | 6–0 | Silmar Rodrigo | Decision (unanimous) | Bitetti Combat Nordeste 3 | April 1, 2004 | 3 | 5:00 | Rio Grande do Norte,Brazil | |
| Win | 5–0 | Akira Shoji | Submission (armbar) | PRIDE 22 | September 29, 2002 | 1 | 2:48 | Nagoya,Japan | |
| Win | 4–0 | Yuki Kondo | Decision (unanimous) | DEEP: 2nd Impact | August 18, 2001 | 3 | 5:00 | Yokohama,Japan | |
| Win | 3–0 | Ikuhisa Minowa | Decision (unanimous) | Pancrase: Proof 2 | March 31, 2001 | 3 | 5:00 | Osaka,Japan | |
| Win | 2–0 | Keiichiro Yamamiya | KO (punches) | DEEP: 1st Impact | January 8, 2001 | 2 | 0:29 | Nagoya,Japan | |
| Win | 1–0 | Luiz Claudio das Dores | TKO (submission to punches) | Heroes: Heroes 1 | July 24, 2000 | 2 | N/A | Rio de Janeiro,Brazil |
Submission grappling record
editReferences
edit- ^"Report:" Shogun "Injured, May Be Scratched from UFC 76 Debut".MMAjunkie.June 28, 2007.
- ^"Paulão comenta volta à BTT".graciemag(in Portuguese). September 8, 2010.
- ^Marcelo Alonso (October 26, 2020)."Paulo Filho Views Khabib as MMA's GOAT, Believes McGregor Will Reclaim Lightweight Throne".sherdog.
- ^"MMA WEEKLY - Your #1 Source for Daily MMA News, Interviews, Multimedia, and More".Archived fromthe originalon 2006-04-12.Retrieved2008-07-13.
- ^"Paulo Filho - BJJ Heroes".BJJ Heroes.6 March 2012.
- ^Gleidson Venga (November 14, 2006)."Filho Discusses PRIDE GP Injury and Future Plans".Sherdog.
- ^Ken Pishna."FILHO OUT OF WEC TITLE BOUT, INTO REHAB".MMAWeekly.Retrieved2008-03-14.
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- ^"WEC".wec.tv.
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- ^"Paulo Filho Out of Dream.12".mma.fanhouse.Retrieved2009-10-23.
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- ^Jamie Penick."Paulo Filho out, Jay Silva in against Hector Lombard on Thursday's Bellator 18 card In 2011 Paulo Filho signed a sponsorship contract with Australia's number 1 MMA fight gear WMD fight gear. WMD fight gear founder stated that he was proud to have Paulo Filho as one of the brands sponsored fighters".mmatorch.Retrieved2010-05-11.
- ^"Filho wins at heavyweight".mmajunkie. June 7, 2010.Retrieved2010-06-07.
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- ^Damon Martin."Paulo Filho Says If He Fights in November It Will Be His Last".mmaweekly.Retrieved2011-10-19.
- ^Guilherme Cruz (February 10, 2014)."Brazil results roundup: Paulo Filho loses at Biletti, Thiago Meller wins at XFC International".mmafighting.
- ^Guilherme Cruz (April 28, 2014)."GSF 10 results: Melvin Manhoef finishes Evangelista 'Cyborg' Santos in 46 seconds".mmafighting.
- ^Guilherme Cruz (September 21, 2014)."Former WEC champ Paulo Filho pulled from fight in Brazil after apparent seizure".mmafighting.RetrievedOctober 5,2014.
- ^Guilherme Cruz (October 5, 2014)."Paulo Filho opens up: I decided to respect myself and not fight".MMAFighting.
- ^David Tees."WEC Veteran Paulo Filho Injured In Car Accident | Fightful MMA".fightful.Retrieved2017-09-26.
