Rafael Natal

Rafael Natal Diniz Franca is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist.

A professional from 2005 until 2017, he is best known for his 17-fight stint competing for the UFC.

Natal started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and was eventually awarded his black belt by fifth degree black belt Vinicius Magalhães.

Natal is also a professor (an instructor) at Renzo Gracie's academy in New York, where he trains with Márcio Cruz.

Natal's professional MMA career began in smaller shows and he compiled a record of 6–0 - which included a victory over Danillo Villefort - before scoring a minor upset victory over Silmar Rodrigo via unanimous decision.

Natal then joined Ring of Combat and made his promotional debut against Alexandre Moreno at Ring of Combat 23.

Natal defeated him via KO in the first round.

This was followed up by a submission win over Plinio Cruz at Ring of Combat 24, before Natal faced Victor O'Donnell at Ring of Combat 25.

Natal lost to O'Donnell via doctor stoppage after round 1.

At Ring of Combat 26, Natal was supposed to fight Sean Salmon.

However, Salmon had to withdraw and was replaced by Allan Weickert.

Weickert was no match for Natal, who picked up the submission victory after a rear naked choke.

Natal then competed in Moosin: God of Martial Arts against The Ultimate Fighter 4 winner Travis Lutter.

In a bout dominated by striking, Natal caught Lutter with an uppercut, giving him the KO victory in the first round.

Natal then reportedly signed a deal with Shine Fights.

However, in July 2010, Renzo Gracie announced on his website that Natal had instead signed a four-fight deal with the UFC.

His first opponent was The Ultimate Fighter alumn Rich Attonito at UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares.

Natal lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Natal was dropped in the first round in the bout with Attonito.

He recovered well and even got takedowns but couldn't do enough to win the decision.

Natal was expected to face Jason MacDonald on December 11, 2010 at UFC 124.

However, MacDonald would later withdraw and was replaced by newcomer Jesse Bongfeldt.

The fight was scored a draw by the judges.

Natal won the first two rounds 10–9, but two judges scored the third round 10–8 Bongfeldt leading to the majority draw (two 28–28 scores) after 3 rounds.

The scorecards were originally announced as a unanimous 30–30 draw, but when copies of the scorecards were distributed, the mistake was corrected.

Natal was expected to face Alessio Sakara on March 3, 2011 at UFC Live: Sanchez vs. Kampmann but due to injury Natal was replaced by Chris Weidman.

Natal was expected to face Riki Fukuda on August 6, 2011 at UFC 133.

However, Fukuda was forced out of the bout due to a knee injury sustained in a car accident and replaced by Costas Philippou.

When Philippou replaced an injured Alessio Sakara to fight Jorge Rivera, Natal faced former The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest competitor Paul Bradley instead.

Natal defeated Bradley by unanimous decision, winning the first and third rounds on all three judges scorecards.

In the fight Natal utilized excellent takedown defense and a constant barrage of low kicks to outpoint his opponent.

Natal faced UFC newcomer Michael Kuiper on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143.

He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Natal next face Andrew Craig on July 11, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV: Munoz vs. Weidman.

After nearly finishing Craig, Natal lost via head kick KO with seconds remaining in round two.

Natal was expected to face Magnus Cedenblad on January 26, 2013 at UFC on Fox 6.

However, Cedenblad pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Sean Spencer.

Natal defeated Spencer via third round submission.

Natal was expected to face Chris Camozzi on May 18, 2013 at UFC on FX 8.

However, Camozzi was pulled from the matchup with Natal in favor of a matchup with Ronaldo Souza at the same event after Souza's scheduled opponent Costas Philippou pulled out of the bout with an injury.