Christopher Gonzalez
Born (1991-07-29) July 29, 1991
Chicago, Illinois, United States
ResidenceSacramento, California, United States
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
DivisionLightweight
Reach73 in (185 cm)
Fighting out ofSacramento, California, United States
TeamTeam Alpha Male (2017–present)[1]
NYAC (wrestling)
WrestlingGreco-Roman wrestling
NJCAA wrestling
Years active2018–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total11
Wins8
By knockout3
By submission1
By decision4
Losses3
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Men's Greco-Roman wrestling
Representing  United States
US National Championships
Silver medal – second place 2017 Las Vegas 71 kg

Matthew Christopher Gonzalez (born July 29, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist and former Greco–Roman wrestler who currently competes in the lightweight division of Bellator MMA.[2] As a wrestler, Gonzalez won the 2016 senior Greco-Roman World Team Trials and went on to represent the United States at the 2016 World Championships at 71 kilograms and placed second at the 2017 US Open.[3]

Background

Gonzalez was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where he attended Bloom Trail High School. As a high schooler, he was a multi–sport athlete, competing in wrestling, basketball, football and track and field. Despite never qualifying for the state championships as he was sidetracked by injuries as a junior and senior and being a late starter in the sport, Gonzalez decided to pursue college wrestling. After bouncing from Northern Illinois University to Harper College, Gonzalez became an NJCAA All–American in 2012.[4] Gonzalez then accepted a scholarship to wrestle at the Northern Michigan University, which offered a Greco-Roman program.[5] Throughout his international career, Gonzalez, who represented the New York Athletic Club, went on to make the 2016 US World Team, placing 8th at the World Championships, placed multiple times at the US Open and claimed medals from tournaments such as the Dave Schultz and Bill Farrell Memorial Internationals.[3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

After his performance at the 2016 US Olympic Team Trials, Gonzalez considered transitioning over to mixed martial arts, however, it was not until 2018 when he made his professional debut in the sport, winning by submission at the Gladiator Challenge.[3]

Bellator MMA

In December 2018, it was announced that Gonzalez had signed with Bellator MMA.[6] In January 2019 it was announced that he was scheduled to make his promotional debut against Henry Mendez at Bellator 214 on January 26, 2019.[7] After Mendez withdrew from the bout, Gonzalez eventually made his promotional debut at Bellator 221 on May 11, 2019, defeating Charles Radtke by unanimous decision.[8]

Gonzalez had his third professional fight at Bellator 226 when he faced Luis Vargas on September 7, 2019.[9] He dominated the bout, heavily utilizing his wrestling to claim the win by unanimous decision.[10]

To start off 2020, Gonzalez competed at Bellator 239 in February 21, defeating Aaron McKenzie by split decision.[11] He then continued his win streak when he defeated Vladimir Tokov by the same method in August 21 at Bellator 244.[12]

His first finish in the promotion came when he knocked out former UFC veteran Roger Huerta on April 2, 2021, at Bellator 255.[13]

Gonzalez faced Goiti Yamauchi on July 31, 2021, at Bellator 263.[14] He lost the bout via TKO in the first round.[15]

Gonzalez faced Saad Awad on January 29, 2022, at Bellator 273.[16] He won the bout via knockout 36 seconds into the first round.[17]

Gonzalez faced Usman Nurmagomedov on July 22, 2022, at Bellator 283.[18] He lost the bout via guillotine choke in the first round.[19]

Gonzalez was scheduled to face Shamil Nikaev on December 9, 2022, at Bellator 289.[20] However, the bout was scrapped due to unknown reasons.

Gonzalez faced Max Rohskopf on February 4, 2023, at Bellator 290.[21] He won the bout via TKO in the second round.[22]

Gonzalez faced Tim Wilde on May 12, 2023, at Bellator 296. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[23]

Personal life

Christopher's father, Gaspar Gonzalez, was born and raised in Havana, Cuba and immigrated to the United States in 1961.

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
11 matches 8 wins 3 losses
By knockout 3 1
By submission 1 1
By decision 4 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 8–3 Tim Wilde Decision (unanimous) Bellator 296 May 12, 2023 3 5:00 Paris, France
Win 8–2 Max Rohskopf TKO (punches) Bellator 290 February 4, 2023 2 1:22 Inglewood, California, United States
Loss 7–2 Usman Nurmagomedov Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 283 July 22, 2022 1 2:54 Tacoma, Washington, United States
Win 7–1 Saad Awad KO (head kick and punches) Bellator 273 January 29, 2022 1 0:36 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Loss 6–1 Goiti Yamauchi TKO (punches) Bellator 263 July 30, 2021 1 3:53 Los Angeles, California, United States
Win 6–0 Roger Huerta TKO (submission to punches) Bellator 255 April 2, 2021 2 3:01 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Catchweight (160lb) bout.
Win 5–0 Vladimir Tokov Decision (split) Bellator 244 August 21, 2020 3 2:09 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 4–0 Aaron McKenzie Decision (split) Bellator 239 February 21, 2020 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 3–0 Luis Vargas Decision (unanimous) Bellator 226 September 7, 2019 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
Win 2–0 Charlie Radtke Decision (unanimous) Bellator 221 May 11, 2019 3 5:00 Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Win 1–0 Tyrese McCloud Submission Gladiator Challenge October 20, 2018 1 1:30 Lincoln, California, United States

[24]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Giancarlo Aulino (March 31, 2021). Bellator 255: Chris Gonzalez on Fighting Roger Huerta, Team Alpha Male, Meeting Urijah Faber – via YouTube.
  2. ↑ "Chris Gonzalez - MMA Fighter Profile". Bellator.com. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "Gonzalez focused on MMA for now but still eyeing 2020 Olympics". InterMat. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Dan Loprieno - Head Wrestling Coach - Staff Directory". Harper College Athletics. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  5. ↑ Michigan, Northern. "NMU OTS earn medals in NYC". www.uppermichiganssource.com. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Bellator signs wrestling standout and Team Alpha Male product Chris Gonzalez". MMA Junkie. December 3, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  7. ↑ Mike Bohn (January 16, 2019). "Wrestling standouts AJ Agazarm, Chris Gonzalez make MMA debuts at Bellator 214". MMAjunkie.com.
  8. ↑ "Chris Gonzalez vs. Charlie Radtke Results and News - Bellator 221: Chandler vs. Pitbull - MMA Fighting". www.mmafighting.com. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  9. ↑ Youngs, Jose (July 25, 2019). "Chris Gonzalez vs. Luis Vargas set for Bellator 226 in San Jose". MMA Fighting. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Chris Gonzalez vs. Luis Vargas Results and News - Bellator 226: Bader vs. Kongo - MMA Fighting". www.mmafighting.com. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  11. ↑ stevejuon (February 21, 2020). "LIVE! Bellator 239 Results, Streaming Play-By-Play Updates TONIGHT". MMAmania.com. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Bellator 244 Results: Chris Gonzalez Defeats Vladimir Tokov Via Split Decision". Bloody Canvas. August 22, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Bellator 255 video: Chris Gonzalez mauls Roger Huerta, who drops fourth straight". MMA Junkie. April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Bellator 263 adds Chris Gonzalez vs. Goiti Yamauchi, one other fight to preliminary card". MMA Junkie. July 7, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
  15. ↑ Anderson, Jay (July 31, 2021). "Bellator 263 Results: Goiti Yamauchi Drops, Finishes Chris Gonzalez". Cageside Press. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  16. ↑ Heck, Mike (December 28, 2021). "Benson Henderson vs. Islam Mamedov, return of 'Big Tuna' among additions to Bellator 273 fight card". MMA Fighting. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Bellator 273 results: Chris Gonzalez destroys Saad Awad with quick head kick". MMA Junkie. January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Bellator 283 lineup set with Patricky 'Pitbull' vs. Sidney Outlaw, Usman Nurmagomedov, and more". MMA Junkie. June 14, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  19. ↑ Anderson, Jay (July 22, 2022). "Bellator 283: Usman Nurmagomedov Secures Quick Sub of Chris Gonzalez". Cageside Press. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  20. ↑ King, Nolan (October 18, 2022). "Four fights added to Bellator 289, including return of Dalton Rosta". MMA Junkie. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  21. ↑ Amy Kaplan (December 12, 2022). "2 new fights booked for Bellator 290: Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianenko 2". fansided.com. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Bellator 290 video: Chris Gonzalez puts Max Rohskopf on wobbly legs, wins by second-round TKO". MMA Junkie. February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  23. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 296 'Mousasi vs. Edwards' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Christopher Gonzalez". Sherdog. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
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