1. Vagner Rocha was born on June 6,1982 and is a Brazilian submission grappler and former professional mixed martial artist, who competed in the featherweight division.
41 Facts About Vagner Rocha
1. 2.
Vagner Rocha is the 2017 Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds lightweight champion.
3.
Primarily known for his expertise in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Rocha began his MMA career in 2009.
4.
Vagner Rocha made his UFC debut on June 11,2011, against Donald Cerrone at UFC 131, replacing an injured Mac Danzig.
5.
Cerrone dominated Vagner Rocha by utilizing leg kicks, Vagner Rocha lost via unanimous decision.
6.
Vagner Rocha submitted McKenzie via rear naked choke in the second round.
7.
Vagner Rocha was expected to make his featherweight debut against Mike Brown on January 15,2012, at UFC on FX 1.
8.
Vagner Rocha instead made his featherweight debut against Jonathan Brookins on February 15,2012, at UFC on Fuel TV 1.
9.
Vagner Rocha lost the fight via KO in the first round.
10.
Vagner Rocha faced Mike Bruno on November 2,2012, at Fight Time 12.
11.
Vagner Rocha won the fight by submission due to a triangle choke in the second round.
12.
Vagner Rocha faced Kamrin Naville on February 15,2013, at Fight Time 13.
13.
Vagner Rocha won the fight by submission in the fifth round.
14.
Vagner Rocha faced journeyman Randy Barroso on August 23,2013, at Fight Time 16.
15.
Vagner Rocha won the fight by submission in the first round.
16.
However, Vagner Rocha suffered a last-minute training injury and the bout was removed from the card.
17.
Vagner Rocha faced Jake Matthews on November 8,2014, at UFC Fight Night 55.
18.
Vagner Rocha lost the fight due to technical submission in the second round.
19.
Vagner Rocha was expected to face promotional newcomer Joseph Duffy on March 14,2015, at UFC 185.
20.
Vagner Rocha competed against Xande Ribeiro in a superfight at BJJ Bet on September 6,2020, and the pair fought to a draw.
21.
Vagner Rocha then fought Gabriel Almeida in the co-main event of Fight 2 Win 157 on November 14,2020, submitting him with an inside heelhook and earning 'Submission of the Night'.
22.
On January 16,2021, Vagner Rocha was scheduled to face William Tackett in the main event of Fight 2 Win 160, but had to withdraw due to undisclosed reasons.
23.
Vagner Rocha returned to competition on February 19,2021, in the main event of Fight 2 Win 164 against Yuri Simoes and defeated him by decision.
24.
Vagner Rocha was then scheduled to compete against Gordon Ryan in the main event of Who's Number One on March 26,2021.
25.
Vagner Rocha lost the match by submission, tapping to a triangle choke.
26.
Vagner Rocha returned to Who's Number One on May 28,2021, to face Josh Hinger and won a decision against him.
27.
Vagner Rocha received an invite to compete at the 2022 ADCC World Championship as a result of his silver medal in 2019.
28.
On December 4,2022, Vagner Rocha fought in a Combat Jiu-Jitsu superfight against Ty Freeman at Subversiv 8, submitting him with a rear-naked choke.
29.
Vagner Rocha was handed a three-year suspension from IBJJF competition by USADA as a result of refusing to submit a sample for testing on December 23,2022.
30.
Vagner Rocha was then invited to compete in an openweight tournament at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 on June 29,2023.
31.
Vagner Rocha defeated Fellipe Andrew in the opening round but lost to the eventual winner, Nick Rodriguez, in the semi-final.
32.
Vagner Rocha competed at the Tough Roll Winter Grand Prix on June 29,2023, winning a decision against Uros Silic.
33.
Vagner Rocha was booked to compete against Victor Silveiro at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 5 on December 10,2023.
34.
Vagner Rocha won the match by submission with a rear-naked choke.
35.
Vagner Rocha competed against Luke Griffith in the first Pit Submission Series event on January 26,2024.
36.
Vagner Rocha faced Nicholas Meregali in the main event of Who's Number One 23 on May 10,2024.
37.
Vagner Rocha beat Jeremy Skinner, Jonnatas Gracie, and Elijah Dorsey by decision before being submitted by Micael Galvao in the final and winning a silver medal.
38.
Vagner Rocha entered the men's absolute division, where he beat Fabricio Andrey in the opening round and was submitted by Giancarlo Bodoni in the quarter-final.
39.
Vagner Rocha competed against Calon Sabino in the main event of Pit Submission Series 8 on October 11,2024.
40.
Vagner Rocha is married, has 2 children, and currently resides in Pembroke Pines, Florida where he teaches Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Vagner Rocha Martial Arts.
41.
Vagner Rocha announced on January 22,2025 that he was hospitalized with heart failure, although he has since made a recovery.