GABRIEL GONZAGA

ATTRIBUTES

OFFENSIVE SKILLS

DEFENSIVE SKILLS

ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES

NAPAO'S RIGHT HEAD KICK

Level 3 - Both Standing, Striking Range

“Napao’s” signature head kick became world famous after he used it to KO Mirko Cro Cop in dramatic fashion back at UFC 70. Use this heavy technique strike to rock opponents on the feet.

DIRECT CATCH TO ARM TRIANGLE CHOKE

Level 3 - Side Control, Top

Gonzaga can put his opponents to sleep with a nasty arm triangle from Side Control or Mount. Move to Side Control and posture up into sub position to lock in this excellent choke.

DIRECT CATCH TO ARMBAR FROM THE TOP

Level 3 - Mount, Top

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Gonzaga can also lock in an excellent armbar from Mount. Use his strong grappling ability to move to this dominant position, then finish the opponent with this powerful sub.

STRENGTHS

• Striking

• Knockout Power

• Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
  

Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga burst onto the UFC heavyweight scene by doing the unthinkable: dropping the legendary Mirko Cro Cop with a stunning head kick that left no doubt about the kind of knockout power he possesses.

Though it proved his ability to get the job done on the feet, this incredible KO has overshadowed his true strength: his dominant ground game.

Throw Gonzaga’s dangerous head kicks to threaten the opponent on the feet, but look for a chance to bring the fight to the ground so you can employ his excellent jiu-jitsu skills.

It isn’t easy for Gonzaga to bring the fight to the mat, but once he gets his opponent down, his strength and technique help him pass to dominant position and secure high-level submissions that are difficult to escape.

Look to switch between subs whenever the Submission Switch icon appears onscreen—this is a great way to ensure you force the tap.

WEAKNESSES

• Speed

• Cardio

• Clinch fighting
  

Though infamous for his epic head kick knockout of Mirko Cro Cop, “Napao” is far from the most talented striker in the UFC heavyweight division.

He lacks speed and footwork technique, and he’s vulnerable to being rocked by his opponent’s counters—this allows swift strikers and heavy hitters to overwhelm him with their superior speed and power.

Gonzaga’s best place to be in a fight is working for subs on the ground, but he’s weak in the clinch and doesn’t have a particularly strong takedown, either.

Don’t give him the opportunity to take you down—be cautious with your striking and favor quick strikes and short combos to avoid leaving many openings for “Napao” to shoot in and grapple.

Though clinching with him puts you closer to his submission game, he has poor control in the clinch and suffers tremendous damage from clinch strikes.

Work him over in the Muay Thai Clinch if your fighter has skill in this area, but don’t let “Napao” drag you to the mat while battling him in the clinch.