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Vagner Rocha

Vagner Rocha (born June 6, 1982, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a Brazilian-American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and former professional mixed martial artist, who competed in the lightweight division.

Vagner Rocha
Born (1982-06-06) June 6, 1982 (age 42)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other namesCeará
ResidencePembroke Pines, Florida
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10 st 5 lb)
DivisionFeatherweight (2012-present)
Lightweight (2011)
Welterweight (2009-2011)
Reach73 in (185 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofPembroke Pines, Florida, United States
TeamVagner Rocha Martial Arts
Rank3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active2009–2017
Mixed martial arts record
Total18
Wins14
By knockout3
By submission8
By decision3
Losses4
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision2
Website[1]
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Men's Submission wrestling
ADCC World Championship
Silver medal – second place 2024 Nevada, USA -77kg
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Nevada, USA -88kg
Silver medal – second place 2019 Anaheim, USA -77kg
Bronze medal – third place 2017 Espoo, Finland -77kg
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
World No-Gi Championship
Silver medal – second place 2021 California, US -91.5 kg
Last updated on: May 18, 2010

He is the current Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds lightweight champion.[1]

Mixed martial arts career

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Primarily known for his expertise in Brazilian jiu-jitsu,[2] Rocha began his MMA career in 2009. In addition to regional promotions in his adopted state of Florida, Rocha has competed for Bellator and Strikeforce.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Vagner made his UFC debut on June 11, 2011, against Donald Cerrone at UFC 131, replacing an injured Mac Danzig.[3] Cerrone dominated Rocha by utilizing leg kicks, Rocha lost via unanimous decision.

In his second UFC bout, Rocha defeated Cody McKenzie on September 17, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 25. Rocha submitted McKenzie via rear naked choke in the second round.[4]

Rocha was expected to make his featherweight debut against Mike Brown on January 15, 2012, at UFC on FX 1.[5] However, Brown was forced from the bout with an injury. Rocha instead made his featherweight debut against Jonathan Brookins on February 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 1.[6] He lost the fight via KO in the first round. After the loss to Brookins, Rocha was subsequently released from the promotion.[7]

Fight Time Promotions

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Rocha faced Mike Bruno on November 2, 2012, at Fight Time 12. Rocha won the fight by submission due to a triangle choke in the second round.

Rocha faced Kamrin Naville on February 15, 2013, at Fight Time 13. Rocha won the fight by unanimous decision.

Rocha faced J. P. Reese on April 26, 2013, at Fight Time 14. Rocha won the fight by submission in the fifth round.

Rocha faced journeyman Randy Barroso on August 23, 2013, at Fight Time 16. Rocha won the fight by submission in the first round.

Return to UFC

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On April 20, 2014, it was announced that Rocha would return at UFC 172 to replace Yancy Medeiros, who shifted in the card to face Jim Miller, against Joe Ellenberger.[8] However, Rocha suffered a last-minute training injury and the bout was removed from the card.[9]

Rocha faced Jake Matthews on November 8, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 55.[10] He lost the fight due to technical submission in the second round.

Rocha was expected to face promotional newcomer Joseph Duffy on March 14, 2015, at UFC 185.[11] However, Rocha pulled out of the bout in early February citing injury and was replaced by Jake Lindsey.[12] Rocha was subsequently released from the promotion.[13]

Professional grappling career

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Rocha competed against Xande Ribeiro in a superfight at BJJ Bet on September 6, 2020, and the pair fought to a draw.[14] He then fought Gabriel Almeida in the co-main event of Fight 2 Win 157 on November 14, 2020, submitting him with an inside heelhook and earning 'Submission of the Night'.[15] For his final match of the year, he was booked against Jon 'Thor' Blank at Who's Number One on December 11, 2020.[16] In the end, Rocha won by split decision.[17]

On January 16, 2021, Rocha was scheduled to face William Tackett in the main event of Fight 2 Win 160,[18] but had to withdraw due to undisclosed reasons. He returned to competition on February 19, 2021, in the main event of Fight 2 Win 164 against Yuri Simões and defeated him by decision.[19] He was then scheduled to compete against Gordon Ryan in the main event of Who's Number One on March 26, 2021.[20] Rocha lost the match by submission, tapping to a triangle choke.[21] He returned to Who's Number One on May 28, 2021, to face Josh Hinger and won a decision against him.[22]

Rocha received an invite to compete at the 2022 ADCC World Championship as a result of his silver medal in 2019.[23] Rocha went 3–1 at the event and won a bronze medal in the 88 kg division.[24] On December 4, 2022, Rocha fought in a Combat Jiu-Jitsu superfight against Ty Freeman at Subversiv 8, submitting him with a rear-naked choke.[25]

Rocha was handed a three-year suspension from IBJJF competition by USADA as a result of refusing to submit a sample for testing on December 23, 2022.[26]

2023

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Rocha was then invited to compete in an openweight tournament at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 on June 29, 2023.[27] Rocha defeated Fellipe Andrew in the opening round but lost to the eventual winner, Nick Rodriguez, in the semi-final.[28]

Rocha competed at the Tough Roll Winter Grand Prix on June 29, 2023, winning a decision against Uros Silic.[29]

Rocha was booked to compete against Victor Silveiro at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 5 on December 10, 2023.[30] He won the match by submission with a rear-naked choke.[31]

2024

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Rocha competed against Luke Griffith in the first Pit Submission Series event on January 26, 2024.[32] He beat Griffith by decision.[33] He then competed at the ADCC Atlantic City Open on February 10, 2024 and won gold in the under 91 kg division.[34]

Rocha faced Nicholas Meregali in the main event of Who's Number One 23 on May 10, 2024.[35] He lost the match by submission.[36]

Rocha was invited to compete in the under 88 kg division of the 2024 ADCC World Championship.[37] He beat Jeremy Skinner, Jonnatas Gracie, and Elijah Dorsey by decision before being submitted by Micael Galvão in the final and winning a silver medal.[38] He also entered the men's absolute division, where he beat Fabricio Andrey in the opening round and was submitted by Giancarlo Bodoni in the quarter-final.[39]

Rocha competed against Calon Sabino in the main event of Pit Submission Series 8 on October 11, 2024.[40] He won the match by submission.[41]

Titles and accomplishments

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  • Fight Time Promotions
    • Fight Time Lightweight Championship (Two times)
    • ISKA Lightweight Championship (One time)
  • Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds
    • Combat Jiu Jitsu World Championship - Lightweight (current)
  • ADCC

Personal life

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He is married, has 2 children, and currently resides in Pembroke Pines, Florida where he teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Vagner Rocha Martial Arts.[44]

Both Rocha's son Achilles and his daughter Jasmine train under him and both are frequent competitors in primarily no-gi grappling. Jasmine is a black belt in BJJ & his son Achilles is a purple belt.

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
18 matches 14 wins 4 losses
By knockout 3 1
By submission 8 1
By decision 3 2


Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 14–4 Yoislandy Izquierdo Decision (unanimous) Fight Time 35: A New Era February 17, 2017 5 5:00 Miami, Florida, United States Defended the Fight Time Lightweight Championship.
Win 13–4 Rafael Alves TKO (leg kicks) Fight Time 32 August 12, 2016 3 2:36 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Defended the Fight Time Lightweight Championship.
Win 12–4 Gabriel Miranda TKO (punches) Fight Time 30 April 22, 2016 1 4:35 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Won the Fight Time Lightweight Championship.
Loss 11–4 Jake Matthews Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Bisping November 8, 2014 2 1:52 Sydney, Australia
Win 11–3 Randy Barroso Submission (triangle choke) Fight Time 16: Rocha vs. Barroso August 23, 2013 1 3:09 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Defended the Fight Time Lightweight Championship.
Win 10–3 J. P. Reese Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight Time 14: This Means War! April 26, 2013 5 2:18 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Defended the Fight Time Lightweight Championship.
Win 9–3 Kamrin Naville Decision (unanimous) Fight Time 13: MMA Kings February 15, 2013 3 5:00 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Non-title bout.
Win 8–3 Mike Bruno Submission (triangle choke) Fight Time 12: Warriors Collide November 2, 2012 2 0:53 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Won the Fight Time Promotions and ISKA Lightweight Championship.
Loss 7–3 Jonathan Brookins KO (punches) UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger February 15, 2012 1 1:32 Omaha, Nebraska, United States Featherweight debut.
Win 7–2 Cody McKenzie Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger September 17, 2011 2 3:49 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Loss 6–2 Donald Cerrone Decision (unanimous) UFC 131 June 11, 2011 3 5:00 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Win 6–1 Jacob Clark Submission (armbar) MFA: New Generation 5 May 7, 2011 1 2:32 Miami, Florida, United States Lightweight debut.
Loss 5–1 Bret Bergmark Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Werdum June 26, 2010 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win 5–0 Francisco Soares TKO (punches) Bellator 13 April 8, 2010 2 2:07 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 4–0 Patrick Mikesz Submission (armbar) Action Fight League: Rock-N-Rumble 2 March 5, 2010 1 2:10 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 3–0 Renato Puente Submission (armbar) NDC 1: Peru vs. American Top Team October 17, 2009 1 1:06 Lima, Peru
Win 2–0 Igor Gracie Decision (unanimous) Bellator 11 June 12, 2009 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 1–0 Alan Arzeno Submission (rear-naked choke) XCF: Rumble in Racetown 1 February 14, 2009 1 0:42 Daytona Beach, Florida, United States

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Garcia, Raphael (November 13, 2017). "Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds results and video: UFC vet Vagner Rocha wins title by TKO". Bloody Elbow.
  2. ^ "Vagner Rocha comes up big at the ADCC North American Trials!". On The Mat. 30 November 2001.
  3. ^ "Mac Danzig out at UFC 131, Vagner Rocha now faces Donald Cerrone". mmajunkie.com. May 18, 2011. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  4. ^ "Vagner Rocha vs. Cody McKenzie added to UFC Fight Night 25 in New Orleans". mmajunkie.com. July 20, 2011. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  5. ^ "Mike Brown vs. Vagner Rocha added to UFC on FX 1". mmajunkie.com. November 29, 2011. Archived from the original on December 1, 2011. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
  6. ^ "UFC on FUEL TV 1 adds Brookins vs. Rocha". mmajunkie.com. January 5, 2012. Archived from the original on May 8, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  7. ^ Guilherme Cruz (February 24, 2012). "Vagner Rocha cut from the UFC following loss to Jonathan Brookins". TATAME.com.
  8. ^ MMA Fighting Newswire (April 20, 2014). "Vagner Rocha vs. Joe Ellenberger being targeted for UFC 172". mmafighting.com.
  9. ^ MMAJunkie.com Staff (April 23, 2014). "Vagner Rocha hurt, UFC 172 bout with Joe Ellenberger scrapped". mmajunkie.com.
  10. ^ Matt Erickson (September 11, 2014). "Five bouts added to UFC Fight Night 55 in Australia". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  11. ^ Staff (January 19, 2015). "Joseph Duffy meets Vagner Rocha at UFC 185 in Dallas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  12. ^ Jason Floyd (2015-02-04). "Jake Lindsey replaces an injured Vagner Rocha, meets Joseph Duffy at UFC 185". themmareport.com. Retrieved 2015-02-04.
  13. ^ Matt Boone (19 October 2015). "17 Additional Fighters Released From UFC". mmanews.com. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  14. ^ "BJJ Bet Full Results and Review". 7 September 2020.
  15. ^ "Fight 2 Win 157 Full Results and Review". 15 November 2020.
  16. ^ "Vagner Rocha v Jon "Thor" Blank and Grace Gundrum v Mayssa Bastos Added to Who's Number One". 16 November 2020.
  17. ^ "Who's Number One: Kaynan Duarte v Rodolfo Vieira Full Results and Review". 12 December 2020.
  18. ^ "William Tackett Takes on Vagner Rocha at Fight 2 Win 160". 27 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Fight 2 Win 164 Full Results and Review". 21 February 2021.
  20. ^ "Several Elite Matches Announced for Next WNO Event". 6 March 2021.
  21. ^ "Who's Number One: Gordon Ryan v Vagner Rocha Full Results and Review". 27 March 2021.
  22. ^ "Who's Number One: Craig Jones v Luiz Panza Full Results and Review". 29 May 2021.
  23. ^ "Victor Hugo and Vagner Rocha Receive ADCC 2022 Invites". 26 February 2022.
  24. ^ "ADCC 2022 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". 18 September 2022.
  25. ^ "Subversiv 8 Full Results and Review". 9 December 2022.
  26. ^ Rogers, Kian (9 March 2023). "5 Competitors Receive 3-Year USADA Suspensions After IBJJF No Gi World Championship 2022". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  27. ^ Blackett, Todd (9 June 2023). "Incredible Lineup Confirmed For UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 Absolute Tournament". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  28. ^ "UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  29. ^ Burne, Kathrine (2 August 2023). "Cole Abate Wins Black Belt Debut At Tough Roll Winter Grand Prix 2023". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  30. ^ "UFC Fight Pass Invitational 5 Full Preview". Jitsmagazine. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  31. ^ "UFC Fight Pass Invitational 5 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  32. ^ Jones, Phil (22 January 2024). "Lineup Announced For First Pit Submission Series Event". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  33. ^ "BJJ Veterans Beat New Wave Contenders In Pit Submission Series 1 Results". Jitsmagazine. 27 January 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  34. ^ "ADCC Atlantic City Open 2024 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 11 February 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  35. ^ Phillips, Sabrina (3 April 2024). "Nicholas Meregali vs Vagner Rocha Set For Who's Number One 23 Main Event". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  36. ^ "Who's Number One 23: Nicholas Meregali vs Vagner Rocha Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  37. ^ de Souza, Diogo (17 June 2024). "Four More ADCC Veterans Invited To Return At ADCC 2024". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  38. ^ "ADCC 2024 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jitsmagazine. 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  39. ^ "ADCC 2024 Absolute Divisions Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jitsmagazine. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
  40. ^ Rogers, Kian (5 October 2024). "More Matches Than Ever Before Booked For Pit Submission Series 8". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  41. ^ "Pit Submission Series 8 Full Results And Highlights". Jits Magazine. 12 October 2024. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
  42. ^ "ADCC 2022 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". 18 September 2022.
  43. ^ "ADCC 2022 Awards Announced". 26 October 2022.
  44. ^ "Martial Arts | Kids Martial Arts | BJJ Hollywood Pembroke Pines". www.vagnerrochamartialarts.com.
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