Cristiano Souza (born August 2, 1982) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who currently competes for the Bellator Fighting Championships in the Welterweight Division. He was a fighter on the first season of Fight Master: Bellator MMA

Cristiano Souza
Born (1982-08-02) August 2, 1982 (age 42)
Brazil
Other namesSoldier Boy, Soldado
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Reach72 in (183 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofBoca Raton, Florida
TeamAmerican Top Team
Rank  Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
  Black belt in Capoeira
Mixed martial arts record
Total9
Wins7
By knockout3
By submission3
By decision1
Losses2
By knockout1
By submission1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Mixed martial arts career

edit

Bellator Fighting Championships

edit

On September 17, 2011, Souza made his Bellator debut defeating John Kelly at Bellator 50 via unanimous decision.

On November 9, 2012, Souza defeated Robert Otani at Bellator 80 via knockout due to punches in round one.

Fight Master: Bellator MMA

edit

On May 6, 2013, it was announced that Souza would be featured as a participant on Bellator Fighting Championships reality TV show Fight Master: Bellator MMA, competing as a Welterweight.[1]

In his elimination fight to get on the show, Souza defeated Steve Montgomery via knockout in the first round. During the team selection, Souza chose Randy Couture to be his coach. In his preliminary fight, Souza faced Evan Cutts. Despite controlling a majority of the fight, Souza lost to Cutts via triangle choke submission in the second round.

Bellator Return

edit

Souza came back at Bellator 106 and was scheduled to fight Karo Parisyan but Parisyan withdrew due to injury and was replaced with Alejandro Gracia. Souza controlled the first two rounds before taking down and submitting Gracia via rear naked choke in the third round.

In March 2014, Souza entered the Bellator Season 10 Welterweight tournament as a replacement.[2] He faced Sam Oropeza in the opening round at Bellator 112 and lost via TKO in the first round.

Mixed martial arts record

edit
Professional record breakdown
9 matches 7 wins 2 losses
By knockout 3 1
By submission 3 1
By decision 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 7–2 Jose Caceres Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight Time 35 February 1, 2017 2 2:45 Miami, Florida, United States
Loss 7–1 Sam Oropeza TKO (punches) Bellator 112 March 14, 2014 1 3:07 Hammond, Indiana, United States Bellator Season 10 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinals
Win 7–0 Alejandro Gracia Submission (rear naked choke) Bellator 106 November 2, 2013 3 3:06 Long Beach, California, United States
Win 6–0 Robert Otani TKO (punches) Bellator 80 November 9, 2012 1 2:46 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 5–0 John Kelly Decision (unanimous) Bellator 50 September 17, 2011 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win 4–0 Alex Rojas Submission (guillotine choke) CFA 1: The Title May 6, 2011 2 3:19 Miami, Florida, United States
Win 3–0 Rory Shallcross KO (punches) AFO 11: Fusion February 19, 2011 1 1:37 Tampa, Florida, United States
Win 2–0 Andrew Flickenger Submission (rear naked choke) AOF 8: Fury May 22, 2010 1 2:12 Estero, Florida, United States
Win 1–0 Pedro Rubio KO (punches) AOF 5: Rumble at Robarts 5 October 23, 2009 1 1:39 Sarasota, Florida, United States MMA debut

References

edit
  1. ^ "'Fight Master: Bellator MMA' cast unveiled with Riggs, Lozano and 30 others". MMA Junkie. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
  2. ^ "War Machine, Riggs, Scanlon out; Bradley, Coy, Souza in Bellator welterweight tournament". themmareport.com. March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2014.