Close Thumbnails

Getty Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this image or clip. If you violate our intellectual property you may be liable for: actual damages, loss of income, and profits you derive from the use of this image or clip, and, where appropriate, the costs of collection and/or statutory damages up to $150,000 (USD).

photo 1 of 28

SAN JOSE, CA - JULY 10: Rafael Natal makes weight during the UFC on Fuel TV weigh in at HP Pavilion on July 10, 2012 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Rafael Natal

TRAINING: A typical day of training for this fight is at least two hard training sessions per day and one light session and resting and recovering in between them. I train six days a week and I always take one day off. These sessions involve MMA, Boxing, Wrestling, Muay Thai, strength and conditioning and jiu-jitsu.

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started when I was 14 years old, practicing Capoeira. Six years later I realized that I needed to train in Jiu-Jitsu because when someone took me down I didn't know what to do. After training for three years, I became a Jiu-Jitsu world champion. After observing Renzo, Mark Kerr, Royce and other guys fighting, I started to train in MMA because I realized that I needed this type of training.

What ranks and titles have you held? Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling: Black Belt under Vinicius Draculino Magalhães and Renzo Gracie, Three Time Champion of Minas Gerais Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Three Time Champion Brazil LBJJ, Champion Absolute Brazil LBJJ, Two Time Champion de Equipes Brazil CBJJ, Mundial Champion CBJJ, Champion of Submission Champions League, Champion of the National Submission Tournament, Two Time Champion of the Pan Americans Submission Tournament CBJJ in New York, Two Time Champion Absolute in Grapplers Quest in New York, Champion of the Pan Americans Submission Tournament Absolute CBJJ in New York

Do you have any heroes? My mother and my father.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? This is my dream come true. Now I can show everybody who Rafael Sapo is.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? No.

What was your job before you started fighting? I started working at the age of 12 in my mom's store, where I worked for 8 years.

Favorite grappling technique: Jiu-Jitsu

Favorite Striking technique: Boxing and Muay Thai