Rafael Natal Diniz Franca is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist.
31 Facts About Rafael Natal
1.
2.
Rafael Natal is a professor at Renzo Gracie's academy in New York, where he trains with Marcio Cruz.
3.
Rafael Natal then joined Ring of Combat and made his promotional debut against Alexandre Moreno at Ring of Combat 23.
4.
Rafael Natal lost to O'Donnell via doctor stoppage after round 1.
5.
At Ring of Combat 26, Rafael Natal was supposed to fight Sean Salmon.
6.
Weickert was no match for Rafael Natal, who picked up the submission victory after a rear naked choke.
7.
Rafael Natal then competed in Moosin: God of Martial Arts against The Ultimate Fighter 4 winner Travis Lutter.
8.
However, in July 2010, Renzo Gracie announced on his website that Rafael Natal had instead signed a four-fight deal with the UFC.
9.
Rafael Natal was dropped in the first round in the bout with Attonito.
10.
Rafael Natal recovered well and even got takedowns but couldn't do enough to win the decision.
11.
Rafael Natal was expected to face Jason MacDonald on December 11,2010 at UFC 124.
12.
Rafael Natal was expected to face Alessio Sakara on March 3,2011 at UFC Live: Sanchez vs Kampmann but due to injury Rafael Natal was replaced by Chris Weidman.
13.
Rafael Natal was expected to face Riki Fukuda on August 6,2011 at UFC 133.
14.
When Philippou replaced an injured Alessio Sakara to fight Jorge Rivera, Rafael Natal faced former The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs Team Forrest competitor Paul Bradley instead.
15.
Rafael Natal defeated Bradley by unanimous decision, winning the first and third rounds on all three judges scorecards.
16.
Rafael Natal faced UFC newcomer Michael Kuiper on February 4,2012 at UFC 143.
17.
Rafael Natal was expected to face Magnus Cedenblad on January 26,2013 at UFC on Fox 6.
18.
Rafael Natal was expected to face Chris Camozzi on May 18,2013 at UFC on FX 8.
19.
Rafael Natal faced Tor Troeng on September 4,2013 at UFC Fight Night 28.
20.
Rafael Natal was expected to face Ed Herman on November 16,2013 at UFC 167.
21.
Rafael Natal lost the fight via knockout in the first round.
22.
Rafael Natal faced Ed Herman on May 10,2014 at UFC Fight Night 40.
23.
Rafael Natal next faced Tom Watson on January 31,2015 at UFC 183.
24.
Rafael Natal faced Kevin Casey on January 30,2016 at UFC on Fox 18.
25.
Rafael Natal won the fight via TKO in the third round.
26.
Rafael Natal faced Robert Whittaker on April 23,2016 at UFC 197.
27.
Rafael Natal lost the back and forth fight via unanimous decision.
28.
Rafael Natal next faced Tim Boetsch on November 12,2016 at UFC 205.
29.
Rafael Natal lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
30.
Rafael Natal was expected to face Alessio Di Chirico on July 22,2017 at UFC on Fox 25.
31.
Rafael Natal lost the fight via knockout in the first round.