Rafael ‘Sapo’ Natal vs. Andrew Craig Added to UFC on Fuel 4
UFC on Fuel TV 4‘s rapidly growing fight card has another addition as Renzo Gracie student Rafael “Sapo” Natal faces Andrew Craig in July.
Natal announced the fight via his Twitter account on Wednesday.
“Guys my opponent for my next fight at UFC on Fuel TV 7/11 gonna be Andrew Craig,” wrote Natal. “Here we go.”
Following a bit of a rough start in his UFC career, Natal has turned things around in his last couple of fights, picking up back-to-back wins in the Octagon.
The Renzo Gracie trained fighter defeated Paul Bradley and Michael Kuiper in consecutive fights, and now looks to make it three in a row when he fights in July.
Facing Natal on the UFC on Fuel TV 4 show will be undefeated prospect Andrew Craig, who made an impressive debut in Australia in March.
Craig faced home country favorite Kyle Noke, and he put on a masterful performance, winning by unanimous decision.
Serving the greater Ireland area, we offer authentic, World-class Brazilian Jiu jitsu Training and Instruction in Dublin, Bray, cork and AthloneCity for Men, Women, Teens and Children. Morcegao Sapo team BJJ founder and head Teacher Cesar Silva Morcegao is a certified Black Belt in IBJJF and is widely Considered one of the World`s elite BJJ instructors. Based at GRACIE BARRA DRACULINO SAPO TEAM. Teacher Cesar Morcegao a hands-on approach with all M.S.T.B.J.JStudents, personally Teaching most classes while remaining actively involved in all M.S.T.B.J.J programs for Adults and Kids.
For Almost a century, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been considered the most efficient and effective martial art in the world and over the last decade BJJ has experienced explosive growth in popularity and participation as the world has witnessed its effectivess throughout the global media. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a grappling based martial art that uses technique over strength and athleticism and from its inception was founded on the idea that a smaller, weaker individual can effectively defend against a stronger, more athletic opponent using specific techniques and through the application of force, using leverage to their advantage.
For Men, Women and children, with or without any previous martial arts experience, we welcome you to explore what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training at M.S.T.B.J.J is all about: Self-Defence, Improved health, fitness, Competition, Stress relief and Camaraderie with like minded people in a supportive environment.
At M.S.T B.J.J Training Centre, ego is left at the door and all of our Students contribute to a cooperative learning environment for all, supporting each other so that every Student benefits as they advance their own learning. At M.S.T.B.J.J our advanced level Students very often join in our beginner classes to share their experience and knowledge with newer Students and to help them accelerate their learning and development.
Our beginner Students receive the added benefit of learning not only from the lead Instructor of their class and also from advanced Students who are in attendance and training alongside of them. these concepts of unity, cooperation, peer support and advanced practitioners training alongside beginners, are just a few of the many characteristics that make Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ unique.
for anyone looking for martial arts training in Ireland, Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ Training Centre has 4 convenient locations offering the finest, most authentic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training in Dublin 1, Dunlin 2, Bray and Cork city.
We invite you to come in for a visit anytime to witness First-Hand what Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ is all about and we Welcome you to our unique M.S.T.B.J.Jculture of unity, camaraderi and BJJ excellence.
Opening of one more Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ branch in Howth
Opening of one more Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ branch in Howth
In the 23th of April 2012, one more branch of Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ in Ireland was opened, the latest one was opened at Tonedfit Gym - church street howth co.dublin in front of guarda station and 2 min from dart station, Brazilian jiujitsu is a martial art, combat sport and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting, through BJJ training tecniques with our Black Belt intructor from Morcegao Sapo Team Ireland Andre Ramos Zavatini ( Pit bull ) who has competed extensively worldwide, you will increase your skills while shedding bodyfat and increasing core and functional strenght!!! Everyone is welcome to come watch a class, or better yet try one. Since now I want to say thanks for your interest in our team, all the athletes and representatives of Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ MMA Ireland. Focus on your goals and always fight for what you want, only the weak give up, the perseverant is that who is worth of life!!! the classes will be taught by Black Belt Andre Ramos (Pit Bull) From Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ, everyone is invited to come be part of this team
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17 Year old Paddy Champion! Check
Wolfpack Kickboxing Athlone and Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ student Paddy Sheriff Won the IKF U-18 cruser Weight title in the red cow hotel in Dublin on the 21-4-12. 17 year old Paddy, fought and beat an experienced world silver medalist to take the title. Paddy is one of the countrys top young up and coming fighters with a record of 11-0 it wont be long until Paddy "THE LAW" Sheriff becomes a house hold name!! Paddy congratulation keep it up!
Celtic Gladiator IV Mateusz Piwowarczyk
Last Saturday, the Celtic Gladiator IV was Carried out , Where we had the participation of Mateusz Piwowarczyk From Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ MMA,
Congratulations Mateusz Piwowarczyk for your Great Performace in the event, this is only the beginning of the Battle!!!
Thanks to Zbigniew Hormanski, Yazid Kerfah, Ronald Gomes and Fellipe Tutschke who gave support to Mateusz Piwowarczyk! This is a great Team!
1st Internal NO GI Tournament Morcegao Sapo Team
1st Internal NO GI Tournament Morcegao Sapo Team Weight division - 4 divisions (less than 1.5years BJJ Training -75kg / less than 1.5years BJJ Training +75kg / more than 1.5year BJJ training -75kg / more than 1.5year BJJ training +75kg)
Absolute - 2 divisions (less than 1.5years BJJ Training / more than 1.5year BJJ training)
Opening of one more Morcegao-Sapo Team branch in Ireland
Opening of one more Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ branch in Ireland
In the 12th of March 2012, one more branch of Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ in Ireland was opened, the latest one was opened at Wolfpack Martial Arts Gym Athlone - 19 Inis Carraig, Golden Island, Athlone. This gym already counts wi
th a world class Kickboxing team, now to be enhanced with ground working, since Cesar Silva (Morcegao), leader of Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ in Ireland will be teaching Braziliam Jiu-Jitsu there.
''Work with the Wolfpack MartialArts Team means a lot to us, since every day our team grows and expand, and this is one of our goals.I would like to thank Leon Parsons for trusting in our work and inviting us to teach BJJ in his gym.'' Explains Cesar Silva (Morcegao).
I am very pleased to see our team improving, I'm also thankful to all that have helped us along, especially the intructors, members and friends, all important a important part in the Morcegao Sapo Team BJJ family.'' Thanks Cesar Silva (Morcegao)
UFC 143 Results: Rafael Natal Wins Unanimous Decision Over Michael Kuiper
Rafael Natal looked quite impressive in picking up his second straight UFC victory, winning a unanimous decision on the
preliminary card of UFC 143. Sapo controlled most of the fight with solid takedowns, despite a major scare early in the third where Kuiper had him hurt and curled up against the cage. The judges had it 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
After exchanging kicks early in the first, Sapo immediately got a takedown and jumped into mount. It only lasted about two seconds though, and Kuiper was back on his feet. Sapo got three more takedowns over the next couple of minutes, but Kuiper was able to get up again and again. Natal worked hard to pass when it was on the ground, but Kuiper was able to stifle him. A fifth Sapo takedown led to a Kuiper sweep, but Natal latched on an armbar. Kuiper popped out though, and the round ended back on the feet.
The second round opened with some solid exchanges on the feet, and Natal looked a little tired. Sapo's takedown attempts were coming in slower, and Kuiper was controlling Natal against the cage. Natal landed two huge right hands, but Kuiper didn't even blink. Sapo then took control against the cage, landing knees and some punches but still couldn't get the takedown. Natal threw two spinning back fists, both of which glanced off Kuiper's head. Kuiper responded by continually walking down Natal, shrugging off his takedown attempts, and trying to land punches. Natal finally got a takedown with 20 seconds to go in the round.
Kuiper turned it around in the third round though, coming out and dropping Natal with a huge uppercut. Sapo was pushed up against the fence, eating many big shots from Kuiper. Sapo tried to curl up around Kuiper's leg, but Kuiper switched to big body shots and more solid punches to the head. Natal managed to weather the storm though, and got to his feet. Then he took Kuiper down with a big slam. Natal worked from side control and
elbowed the side of Kuiper's head, then moved to mount. Natal locked on an arm triangle, but Kuiper managed to hold on until the final bell.
Kuiper was making his UFC debut tonight, after going 11-0 on the European circuit. He is a judo black belt and BJJ purple belt under Carlos Machado. This was Natal's fourth bout in the UFC, and he held a 1-1-1 record coming in. He was coming off a broken hand suffered in his win over Paul Bradley at UFC 133 in August.
Rafael 'Sapo' Natal welcomes newcomer Michael Kuiper at UFC 143
Undefeated middleweight Michael Kuiper (11-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is set to make his octagon debut when he meets Rafael Natal (13-3-1 MMA, 1-1-1 UFC) at UFC 143.
UFC 143 takes place Feb. 4 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The event's main card airs live on pay-per-view while preliminary bouts are expected to air on FUEL TV.
Dutchman Kuiper makes his debut with an unblemished resume and three consecutive first-round wins by TKO or KO on the international circuit. However, a look at his resume shows that he has yet to meet an opponent with significant high-level experience.
Natal most recently outpointed "The Ultimate Fighter 7" castoff and recent UFC cut Paul Bradley at UFC 133, which reversed a disappointing draw to Jesse Bongfeldt at UFC 124.
"Sapo" came out on the losing end in his octagon debut when Rich Attonito outpointed him at "UFC Fight Night 22: Marquardt vs. Palhares."
UFC 143 is headlined by a welterweight title match between champ Georges St-Pierre and challenger Nick Diaz.
Jake O'hAmsaigh who Champion
Jake O'hAmsaigh who Champion in Irish mma league and U/60 kg
First of all congratulations to Jake O'hAmsaigh who came 1st today in the Irish mma league and U/60 kg
champion. Hard luck to Oleg who had fought well but had lost. And a big thank you to teacher in BJJ Cesar Morcegao. Also Martin O'Brien, without you guys we would not be at this level.
Congrats to everybody who fought in team MMA BRAY this year and next year we hope to have more league
champions - Martin — with Oleg Dembovskis and 3 others.
preliminary card of UFC 143. Sapo controlled most of the fight with solid takedowns, despite a major scare early in the third where Kuiper had him hurt and curled up against the cage. The judges had it 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
