Gabriel Napão vs. Mirko Cro Cop. Photo: UFC
After 13 years fighting MMA, 11 of which in the UFC, Gabriel “Napão” Gonzaga is ready to move on from the sport, at least as a fighter. A UFC heavyweight who had black belt BJJ titles, Napão, whose last bout was a loss to Derick Lewis, has revealed that he doesn’t plan to return to the cage, unless it’s for some big amount of money.
Gonzaga told MMA Fighting about his future plans, and fighting is not high on the list.
“I don’t plan on coming back. I’m taking care of my new gym, Squared BJJ. If I get an offer, it has to be a great offer, or I’ll keep competing in jiu-jitsu against people my age. I’m probably retired already. I will only fight again if there’s a good offer, financially speaking, and I don’t think any promotion wants me,” said the black-belt.
Having had some historic wins in the Octagon, such as the high-kick KO of Mirko Cro Cop, Gonzaga no longer feels like the strain of MMA is worth it for the usual payday.
“I don’t fight for less than 100 thousand dollars. I’m 37 years old and I won’t risk my health or waste my time training and suffering for this. I don’t need it anymore. God gave me a good opportunity in life, and I don’t need this anymore. That would be my number. For less than 100 thousand, I wouldn’t step into a ring anymore.”
