1. Rafael Carvalho de Souza was born on 27 July 1986 and is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions of Bellator MMA, where he was a former Bellator Middleweight World Champion.
25 Facts About Rafael Carvalho
1. 2.
Rafael Carvalho won the Smash Fight middleweight championship in 2013.
3.
Rafael Carvalho made his professional mixed martial arts debut against Julio Cesar Araujo Fernandes on 17 December 2011 at Samurai FC 6.
4.
Rafael Carvalho lost the fight via submission in the first round.
5.
Rafael Carvalho was expected to make his promotional debut against fellow newcomer Anthony Ruiz on 19 September 2014 at Bellator 125.
6.
However, after an injury to Brett Cooper, Rafael Carvalho stepped up and faced Brian Rogers in the co-main event.
7.
Rafael Carvalho won the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the first round.
8.
Rafael Carvalho faced kickboxing veteran Joe Schilling on 10 April 2015 at Bellator 136.
9.
Rafael Carvalho faced Brandon Halsey in the main event at Bellator 144 for the vacant Bellator Middleweight Championship on 23 October 2015.
10.
Rafael Carvalho stopped Halsey via a body kick in the second round in an upset.
11.
Rafael Carvalho made his first defense of his title against Melvin Manhoef on 20 May 2016 at Bellator 155.
12.
Rafael Carvalho won via a controversial split decision to retain the Bellator Middleweight Championship.
13.
However, Rafael Carvalho pulled out of the fight due to injury.
14.
Rafael Carvalho won the bout via knockout due to a head kick in the fourth round.
15.
Rafael Carvalho won the fight via knockout in the first round.
16.
Rafael Carvalho lost the fight via technical knock out in round one.
17.
On weigh-in day, Rafael Carvalho missed weight, weighing in at 186.5 pounds, over the maximum non-title limit of 186.0 pounds.
18.
Rafael Carvalho faced Chidi Njokuani at Bellator 224 in a 190 lb Catchweight bout on 12 July 2019.
19.
Rafael Carvalho faced Alex Polizzi at Bellator 245 on 11 September 2020.
20.
Bellator MMA announced on 27 October 2020, that Rafael Carvalho had been released from the promotion.
21.
However, the bout was called off as Rafael Carvalho stepped in as a replacement for Costello van Steenis to face Lorenz Larkin on 6 days notice at Bellator 258 on 7 May 2021.
22.
Rafael Carvalho lost the fight via TKO in the second round.
23.
On December 11,2024, it was announced that Rafael Carvalho was eligible to be drafted in the Global Fight League.
24.
Rafael Carvalho was scheduled to make his BKFC debut on December 21,2024 against Gilberto Fuentes at BKFC on DAZN: Hollywood, FL.
25.
However, the bout was postponed after Rafael Carvalho signed with Global Fight League.