Gabriel Gonzaga Looking To Get Back To His Winning Ways

Gonzaga looks to get back on track after losing his last fight at UFC 96.

(sponsored by FightCeuticals.com)

Heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga (10-4) has been busy since his loss to Shane Carwin at UFC 96 earlier this year.

He’s been thinking about a lot of things from the defeat and what went wrong, but like all good fighters, Gonzaga is ready for his next fight and putting the past behind him.

“When Shane and I fought, it just wasn’t my night. … I should have forced the fight there more,” Gonzaga admitted to the “Ground & Pound” radio show. “But I learned from it, and I changed my training. I also have a lot going on opening a new gym.”

The new gym he is talking about is a new 4000-square feet MMA gym in Marlboro, Mass. featuring Muay Thai, Boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. 

He also plans on competing in the Abu Dhabi tournament in Spain, but for now he is preparing for his next challenge in the octagon against newcomer Chris Tuchscherer at UFC 102. 

Tuchscherer was a finalist to be on the next “Ultimate Fighter” season featuring heavyweights, but he was offered to fight Gonzaga at UFC 102 instead.

He has a solid wrestling background and a professional record of 17-1. 

He also has probably one of the best training partners in heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

Gonzaga is confident, that he can neutralize Tuchscherer’s size — 6-feet-1, 260 pounds.

“He is a big guy with great wrestling, but I train to be ready for wherever the fight goes. … I think I can stop him from using his strength” said Gonzaga, who has been practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu for 16 years.

Gonzaga has brought in a new training camp, and even spent a few weeks with Xtreme Couture, preparing for his opponents strong point in wrestling.

“My experience in jiu-jitsu is going to be my strength on the ground. I have been practicing Muay Thai and keeping my MMA game well-rounded to prepare for anything” Gonzaga stated.

Gonzaga has been in the UFC longer and faced the better competition that his opponent, but he is in need of a win after his loss to Carwin.

He is 3-3 in his last six fights.

Ground & Pound Radio broadcasts live every Tuesday at 9:30 pm EST (6:30 pm PST). The show is hosted by MMAMadness.com’s Hector Castro and Fight! Magazine’s Johnny Dunn. For more information, or to download previous episodes, go to www.blogtalkradio.com/mmamadnessradio.