Rafael Carvalho

Rafael Carvalho de Souza (born July 27, 1986) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the light heavyweight division of Bellator MMA. He is the former Bellator Middleweight World Champion. As of December 2017, Carvalho is tied with Alexander Shlemenko for most title defenses in the division's history. He also won the Smash Fight middleweight championship in 2013.

Early career

First loss and rebound

Carvalho made his professional mixed martial arts debut against Julio Cesar Araujo Fernandes on December 17, 2011 at Samurai FC 6. Carvalho lost the fight via submission in the first round. Following the loss, Carvalho went on a nine-fight unbeaten streak that included a unanimous decision win over Gustavo Machado that won him the Smash Fight middleweight championship, before signing with Bellator MMA.

Bellator MMA

Road to Bellator middleweight title

Carvalho was expected to make his promotional debut against fellow newcomer Anthony Ruiz on September 19, 2014 at Bellator 125. However, after an injury to Brett Cooper, Carvalho stepped up and faced Brian Rogers in the co-main event. Carvalho won the back-and-forth fight via TKO in the first round.

Carvalho faced kickboxing veteran Joe Schilling on April 10, 2015 at Bellator 136. He won the fight by split decision.

Bellator middleweight champion

Carvalho faced Brandon Halsey in the main event at Bellator 144 for the vacant Bellator Middleweight Championship on October 23, 2015. Carvalho stopped Halsey via a body kick in the second round in an upset. Halsey dominated the first round on the ground; almost finishing Carvalho with an arm-triangle choke. With the comeback victory, Carvalho became the first fighter to defeat Halsey.

Carvalho made his first defense of his title against Melvin Manhoef on May 20, 2016 at Bellator 155. He won via a controversial split decision to retain the Bellator Middleweight Championship. Bellator announcer Jimmy Smith called it one of the worst decisions he had ever seen; likewise 5 of 5 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Manhoef.

An immediate rematch with Manhoef was scheduled to take place at Bellator 168, on December 10, 2016. However, Carvalho pulled out of the fight due to injury. The rematch eventually took place on April 8, 2017 at Bellator 176. Carvalho won the bout via knockout due to a head kick in the fourth round. Following the event, Carvalho was fined $5,000 by the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) for unsportsmanlike conduct, due to jumping out the cage in his post-fight celebration.

In a May 2017 interview with MMAfighting.com, Carvalho expressed interest in a bout with newly signed welterweight Rory MacDonald after the two exchanged words on Twitter. In addition, he hoped to make his next title defense in July or August.

In his third title defense, Carvalho faced Alessio Sakara at Bellator 190 on December 9, 2017. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. As a result, Carvalho tied the record for most title defenses, held by Alexander Shlemenko, in the divisions' history (three).

In his fourth title defense, Carvalho faced Gegard Mousasi on May 25, 2018 at Bellator 200 in London. This was the last fight on his contract. He lost the fight via technical knock out in round one.

Return to contender status

On September 12, it was announced that Carvalho had re-signed with the Bellator MMA promotion. It was also announced that Carvalho is expected to face promotional newcomer and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida on December 15 at Bellator 213. On weigh-in day, Carvalho missed weight, weighing in at 186.5 pounds, over the maximum non-title limit of 186.0 pounds. The bout proceeded at Catchweight and Carvalho was fined 20% of his purse. Carvalho was defeated by split decision.

Carvalho faced Chidi Njokuani at Bellator 224 in a 190 lb Catchweight bout on July 12, 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision. After the fight with Njokuani, Carvalho announced that he will be moving up to the light heavyweight division.

Move up to light heavyweight

In his light heavyweight debut, Carvalho faced Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 230 on October 13, 2019. After being largely dominated in the fight, Carvalho lost via submission late in the second round.

• Bellator MMA
  • Bellator Middleweight World Championship (One time)
  • Three successful title defenses
  • Tied with Alexander Shlemenko for the most successful Middleweight title defenses in Bellator history (3)
• MMA Junkie
  • October 2015 Knockout of the Month
• Smash Fight
  • Smash Fight Middleweight Championship (One time)