Gabriel Gonzaga set to return at UFC 142
An injury to Rob Broughton has opened the door for a long time UFC veteran to return to the fold. MMAJunkie.com is reporting that Gabriel Gonzaga will replace Broughton at UFC 142. Gonzaga will face Ednaldo Oliveira on the card, which will take place on January 14, at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Between 2005 and 2008 Gonzaga compiled a record of 6-2 in the UFC. During that run he delivered one of the most spectacular knockouts in UFC history when he put Mirko Cro Cop to sleep with a headkick at UFC 70. That win earned him a shot at UFC Heavyweight champion Randy Couture at UFC 74.
In his last four fights in the UFC, Gonzaga went 1-3; dropping fights to Shane Carwin, Junior dos Santos and Brendan Schaub. Following the loss to Schaub, at UFC 121, Gonzaga was released by the UFC. He then fought once outside the organization, defeating Parker Porter to win the Reality Fighting Heavyweight championship crown.
When Gonzaga returns to the Octagon at UFC 142, he will bring with him a record of 12-6.
Further Reading: Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes set for UFC 142 in Brazil
Photo: Gabriel Gonzaga before his fight with Shane Carwin during UFC 96 at the Nationwide Arena on March 7, 2009 in Columbus, OH. Francis Specker
