Rafael Sapo. Photo: publicity
With five wins in his last six outings, including one knockout over former UFC fighter Travis Lutter, Rafael “Sapo” Natal makes his debut in the most famous cage in the world this September 15 at UFC Fight Night 22.
He faces off against Rich Attonito, a participant in the eleventh season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show. The Jiu-Jitsu black belt says he owes one to the Gracie family and will not let them down on his debut. Sapo confirms that his performance has made an extraordinary leap after moving to train with Renzo Gracie in the United States.
“I’m training hard to be sure I don’t lose,” he tells MMAJunkie.com.
“Renzo was really important to me here in the USA, he received me with open arms. I feel part of this great family now.”
Rafael has no octagon experience so far, but he is confident he will do fine on his debut.
“I’ve waited for this opportunity my whole life,” he said in closing.
The card for the event also features Nate Marquardt versus Rousimar Toquinho in the evening’s main event. Now Charles do Bronx, who in his maiden incursion into the promotion with a forty one-second submission, faces Efrain Escudero, and Gleison Tibau returns to the octagon against Jim Miller in the main event.
Check out the matchups:
UFC Fight Night 22
Austin, Texas
September 15, 2010
Nate Marquardt vs Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares
Efrain Escudero vs Charles “do Bronx”
Jim Miller vs Gleison Tibau
Ross Pearson vs Cole Miller
Yves Edwards vs John Gunderson
Jared Hamman vs Kyle Kingsbury
Rich Attonito vs Rafael “Sapo” Natal
David Mitchell vs Anthony Waldburger
Brian Foster vs Forrest Petz
Tomasz Drwal vs Dave Branch
(Collaborator: Junior Samurai)