Wikipedia

Gabi Garcia

For the Filipino actress, see Gabbi Garcia.

Gabrielle Lemos "Gabi" Garcia (born November 17, 1985) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and grappler. She is one of the most successful competitors of all time in the female black belt divisions, and a member of the IBJJF Hall of Fame.[2]

Gabi Garcia
Gabi Garcia in 2016
BornGabrielle Lemos Garcia
(1985-11-17) November 17, 1985 (age 39)
Porto Alegre, Brazil
ResidenceEastvale, California
Height187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight95 kg (209 lb; 14 st 13 lb)
StyleBrazilian jiu-jitsu
TeamAlliance Jiu Jitsu
RankBJJ black belt
Judo black belt[1]
Years active2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total7
Wins6
By knockout2
By submission4
Losses0
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Submission wrestling
ADCC World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2011 Nottingham, UK +60kg
Gold medal – first place 2013 Beijing, China +60kg
Bronze medal – third place 2015 São Paulo, Brazil +60kg
Gold medal – first place 2017 Espoo, Finland +60kg
Gold medal – first place 2019 Anaheim, California +60kg
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2008 California, USA +74kg
Bronze medal – third place 2009 California, USA +74kg
Gold medal – first place 2010 California, USA +74kg
Silver medal – second place 2010 California, USA Absolute
Gold medal – first place 2011 California, USA +74kg
Gold medal – first place 2011 California, USA Absolute
Gold medal – first place 2012 California, USA +74kg
Gold medal – first place 2012 California, USA Absolute
Pan Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2008 California, USA +74kg
Bronze medal – third place 2008 California, USA Absolute
Bronze medal – third place 2009 California, USA +74kg
Bronze medal – third place 2009 California, USA Absolute
Gold medal – first place 2010 California, USA +74kg
Gold medal – first place 2010 California, USA Absolute
Gold medal – first place 2011 California, USA +74kg
Silver medal – second place 2011 California, USA Absolute
Gold medal – first place 2012 California, USA +74kg
Gold medal – first place 2012 California, USA Absolute
Gold medal – first place 2013 California, USA +74kg
Gold medal – first place 2013 California, USA Absolute
Gold medal – first place 2015 California, USA +80kg
Gold medal – first place 2015 California, USA Absolute
Gold medal – first place 2019 California, USA +80kg
Gold medal – first place 2019 California, USA Absolute

Early life

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Garcia was born on November 17, 1985, in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Garcia's early and mid-teens were spent playing sports including volleyball, team handball, and field hockey. At age 13, Garcia and her family moved to São Paulo. Around this age, Garcia's uncle helped begin her training in jiu-jitsu. Before eventually committing herself full-time to a jiu-jitsu career, Garcia was in her final year of a university course study in advertising.[3]

Jiu-jitsu and grappling career

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Garcia trains in São Paulo with Fabio Gurgel, at the Alliance team, where she has achieved four Abu Dhabi Combat Club championships and nine World Jiu-Jitsu Championships.[4]

Garcia's results from the 2013 IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championships were automatically disqualified when she tested positive for the fertility drug Clomiphene, which is on the USADA banned list. After a case review, Garcia was found not at fault, no suspension was given and she remained eligible to compete.[5][6]

2019–2021

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In 2019, Garcia became the first woman to win four ADCC gold medals with a submission in the finals against Carina Santi.[7]

At Who's Number One (WNO) on February 26, 2021, Garcia faced Nathiely de Jesus in the rubber match of a trilogy. Garcia had previously beaten de Jesus at the 2019 Pan Championship and de Jesus beat Garcia at F2W 121 later that year, both in the gi. De Jesus beat Garcia at WNO by unanimous decision, becoming the first woman to beat Garcia with and without a gi.[8] After the loss, Garcia challenged Gordon Ryan.[9] ADCC medalist Craig Jones verbally agreed to compete against her in an intergender match.[10]

Garcia returned to WNO for a championship tournament on September 25, 2021. She faced Amanda Leve in the first round, losing to Leve by unanimous decision. The result was labeled an upset due to the smaller Leve controlling the majority of the match and putting Garcia into several deep rear-naked choke attempts.[11][12][13][14]

At the 2021 IBJJF World Championships in December, Garcia was submitted for the first time in the history of her competitive career at black belt by Yara Soares. Garcia retired from IBJJF competition at the conclusion of the competition.[15]

2022–2024

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Garcia was invited to compete at the 2022 ADCC World Championship in the over 60 kg division once again.[16] She submitted Nikki Lloyd-Griffiths in the opening round with an armbar, but then lost to Amy Campo on points in the semi-final. She won the bronze medal by default after Kendall Reusing was injured in her match and unable to compete.[17]

On March 30, 2023, Garcia was promoted to black belt in judo.[1]

Garcia was invited to compete in the over 65kg division of the 2024 ADCC World Championship on August 17-18, 2024.[18] However, Craig Jones then announced on an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience that he would be competing against Garcia in an intergender superfight at The Craig Jones Invitational on August 16-17, 2024.[19] After refusing to tap to a heel hook, Garcia lost the match by submission to a rear-naked choke.[20][21]

Instructor lineage

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Jigoro Kano → Tomita Tsunejirō → Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie Sr. → Hélio Gracie → Rolls Gracie → Romero Cavalcanti → Fábio Gurgel → Gabi Garcia[3]

Mixed martial arts

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Garcia appeared as a guest coach for Wanderlei Silva on The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3.

Garcia was at one point scheduled to face Megumi Yabushita for the Japanese promotion Real Fight Championship. This bout, however, fell through.[22]

Garcia was then scheduled to make her MMA debut with Jungle Fight in March 2015.[23] However, this bout also didn't happen.

On November 6, 2015, it was announced during Bellator 145 that Garcia would face Lei'D Tapa for Rizin Fighting Federation on December 31, 2015.[24] Garcia won the fight via TKO in the first round.[citation needed]

In her second fight for the promotion, Garcia faced Anna Malyukova at Rizin Fighting Federation 1 on April 17, 2016. She won the fight via armbar submission in the second round.[citation needed]

For her third fight with Rizin, Garcia faced Destanie Yarbrough at Rizin World Grand-Prix 2016: 1st Round on September 25, 2016. She won the fight via americana submission in the first round.[citation needed]

Garcia was scheduled to face Shinobu Kandori at Rizin 4: Rizin Fighting World Grand Prix 2016: Final Round on December 31, 2016. However, Kandori pulled out of the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Yumiko Hotta. Garcia won the bout via TKO in the first round.[citation needed]

Garcia next faced Russian boxer Oksana Gagloeva on July 30, 2017, at Rizin 6. The bout ended in a no contest due to an eye poke that occurred just fourteen seconds into the first round.[citation needed]

Garcia was scheduled to face Shinobu Kandori on December 29 at Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: 2nd Round,[25] but the fight was canceled when Garcia missed weight by 28 pounds.[26]

Garcia faced Barbara Nepomuceno at Rizin 14 on December 31, 2018, in a 226 lb catchweight bout.[27] She won the fight via submission in the first round.[citation needed]

Return

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In 2023, Garcia announced that she would be returning to professional MMA competition and that she would be competing at 195 lbs.[28] She then confirmed on February 19, 2024 that she had agreed a contract for a heavyweight title-fight in her return to the sport.[29] It was later announced that she would be facing Barbara Nepomuceno in a rematch at Centurion FC 19 on April 25, 2024.[30] The fight was cancelled when Garcia's family was affected by floods in Brazil.[31]

Shoot boxing

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Garcia made her shoot boxing debut on July 7, 2017, when she faced Megumi Yabushita at Shoot Boxing Girl's S-Cup 2017. The bout was declared a no contest after twice hitting Yabushita with illegal soccer kicks when her opponent fell to the ground.[32]

Personal life

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Gabi Garcia is married to Bruno Almedia, but on May 30, 2023, she publicly accused him of committing fraud, financial abuse, and physical abuse.[33] In 2024, Garcia was recognised for multiple achievements in the Guinness Book of World Records.[34]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
7 matches 6 wins 0 losses
By knockout 2 0
By submission 4 0
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 6–0 (1) Barbara Nepomuceno Submission (keylock) Rizin 14 December 31, 2018 1 2:35 Saitama, Japan Catchweight (226 lb) bout.
Win 5–0 (1) Veronika Futina Submission (rear-naked choke) Road FC 047 May 12, 2018 1 3:49 Beijing, China Openweight bout.
NC 4–0 (1) Oksana Gagloeva NC (accidental eye poke) Rizin World Grand Prix 2017: Opening Round – Part 1 July 30, 2017 1 0:14 Saitama, Japan Accidental eyepoke rendered Gagloeva unable to continue.
Win 4–0 Yumiko Hotta TKO (punches) Rizin World Grand Prix 2016: Final Round December 31, 2016 1 0:41 Saitama, Japan Openweight bout.
Win 3–0 Destanie Yarbrough Submission (keylock) Rizin World Grand-Prix 2016: 1st Round September 25, 2016 1 2:42 Saitama, Japan
Win 2–0 Anna Malyukova Submission (armbar) Rizin 1 April 17, 2016 2 2:04 Nagoya, Japan Heavyweight debut.
Win 1-0 Lei'D Tapa TKO (punches) Rizin World Grand Prix 2015: Part 2 - Iza December 31, 2015 1 2:36 Saitama, Japan Light Heavyweight debut.

Shoot boxing record

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Shoot boxing record
0 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 No Contest
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2017-07-07 NC   Megumi Yabushita Shoot Boxing Girl's S-Cup 2017 Tokyo, Japan No Contest (illegal soccer kicks) 1 N/A
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

References

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  1. ^ a b de Souza, Diogo (5 April 2023). "Gabi Garcia Promoted To Black Belt In Judo". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Hall of fame". Hall of fame. Retrieved 2021-11-23.
  3. ^ a b "Gabrielle "Gabi" Garcia". BJJ Heroes - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Team History, Fighter Stats, Biographies and News. 2010-08-10.
  4. ^ "Gabi Garcia on MMA debut: 'People thought I'd box like Manny Pacquiao and kick like Anderson Silva'". MMA Fighting. 2016-04-16. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  5. ^ "Gabi Garcia Tests Positive for Fertility Drug, Stripped of 2013 Worlds Title". Bloody Elbow. 27 March 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  6. ^ "Gabi Garcia Tests Positive For The Prohibited Substance Clomiphene After 2013 Worlds". Bjj Eastern Europe. 2014-03-27.
  7. ^ "Gabi Garcia Powers Through To Historic Fourth ADCC Gold Medal". 29 September 2019.
  8. ^ Clements, Averi (2021-02-27). "Nathiely De Jesus Defeats Gabi Garcia At Who's Number One". Jiu-Jitsu Times. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  9. ^ "Gabi Garcia Challenges Gordon Ryan in Post-Fight Interview". 28 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Craig Jones and Gabi Garcia Verbally Agree to Grappling Match at WNO". 2 March 2021.
  11. ^ "Historic Upset: Amanda Leve Defeats Gabi Garcia at WNO". Bjj Eastern Europe. Sep 25, 2021. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  12. ^ Segura, Danny (September 29, 2021). "Video: PFL's Amanda Leve pulls off big upset over Gabi Garcia in grappling tournament". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  13. ^ Coate, Ben (October 7, 2021). "Full Match: Watch Amanda Leve's Massive Upset Win Over Gabi Garcia". grapplinginsider.com. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  14. ^ Coate, Ben (October 15, 2021). "Amanda Leve Talks Win Over Gabi Garcia: 'Exactly the way we planned it". grapplinginsider.com. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
  15. ^ "Gabi Garcia Submitted for the First Time at Black Belt and Retires from IBJJF Competition". 13 December 2021.
  16. ^ Lindsey, Alex (6 January 2022). "Kaynan Duarte And Two Others Invited To ADCC 2022". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  17. ^ "ADCC 2022 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". JitsMagazine. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  18. ^ Burne, Kathrine (28 May 2024). "Gabi Garcia Confirmed For ADCC 2024 Over 65kg Division". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  19. ^ Williams, Jackson (29 May 2024). "Craig Jones Announces Intergender Match Against Gabi Garcia For Craig Jones Invitational". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  20. ^ Phillips, Sabrina. "Craig Jones Wins Intergender Match With Gabi Garcia By Submission". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
  21. ^ Meshew, Jed. "CJI Live Blog: Craig Jones vs. Gabi Garcia". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  22. ^ "Gabi Garcia set for MMA debut against Japanese giant killer Megumi Yabushita". Bloody Elbow. Archived from the original on 2016-10-18. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  23. ^ "Gabi Garcia gets new date for MMA debut, this time in Brazil". Bloody Elbow. Archived from the original on 2015-01-19. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
  24. ^ "During Bellator 145, King Mo's entry to the RIZIN FIGHTING WORLD GRAND-PRIX 2015 and Gabi Garcia vs Lei'D Tapa's matchup was announced". Rizin FF. Retrieved 2015-11-07.
  25. ^ "Gabi Garcia vs Shinobu Kandori Set ⋆ MMA TakeOver". MMA TakeOver. 2017-11-29. Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  26. ^ "Gabi Garcia vs. Shinobu Kandori scratched from Rizin FF 8 after massive weigh-in miss". MMA Junkie. 2017-12-29. Retrieved 2017-12-29.
  27. ^ Marc Raimondi (December 12, 2018). "Gabi Garcia returns to Rizin to fight Brazilian kickboxer Barbara Nepomuceno on New Year's Eve". mmafighting.com.
  28. ^ Rollo, Ian (8 February 2023). "Gabi Garcia Announces Intention To Return To MMA". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  29. ^ de Souza, Diogo (19 February 2024). "Gabi Garcia Announces Return To MMA With Title-Fight". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  30. ^ De Souza, Diogo (13 March 2024). "Gabi Garcia Returns To MMA With Rematch Against Barbara Nepomuceno". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  31. ^ Phillips, Sabrina (19 May 2024). "Gabi Garcia MMA Comeback Cancelled Due To Floods In Brazil". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  32. ^ "Gabi Garcia's stand-up debut ends in no-contest after illegal soccer kick". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  33. ^ Burne, Kathrine (31 May 2023). "Gabi Garcia Accuses Husband Of Abuse And Fraud". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  34. ^ Burne, Kathrine. "Gabi Garcia Earns Place In Guinness Book Of World Records". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
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