Fredson Paixão

Fredson Paixão Melo (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈfɾɛdʒisõ pajˈʃɐ̃w]; born May 13, 1979) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. He has competed as a featherweight the UFC, WEC, Deep, and Jungle Fight. He is also a world champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Paixão and the second or paternal family name is Melo.

Fredson Paixão Da Silva Melo
Born	(1979-05-13) May 13, 1979 (age 46) Parintins, Amazonas, Brazil
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Weight	145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
Division	Featherweight
Fighting out of	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Team	Fredson Paixão Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association Gracie Barra Combat Team
Rank	4th degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Mixed martial arts record
Total	17
Wins	11
By knockout	1
By submission	6
By decision	4
Losses	5
By knockout	1
By decision	4
No contests	1
Other information
Website	https://fredsonpaixaobjj.com/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Paixão earned his black belt from Osvaldo Alves in 1998.^[1] He has won multiple World Championships as a black belt. He took first place at Mundials in 1998 (as a purple belt); and in 2001, 2002, and 2005 (as a black belt). In addition, he finished second (silver medal) in 2004.

In May 2010, Paixão defeated Caol Uno in a submission grappling bout at the UFC Fan Expo held in Las Vegas at UFC 114.^[2]

Mixed martial arts career

Paixão made his WEC debut at WEC 40, where he lost a unanimous decision to Wagnney Fabiano.

In his next fight, Paixao fought Cole Province at WEC 42, where he originally suffered a split decision loss. The result was later changed to a no contest after Province tested positive for banned substances during a post-fight screening.^[3]

Paixão was expected to face Bryan Caraway on March 6, 2010, at WEC 47,^[4] but Caraway was forced off the card with an injury. Paixão instead faced Courtney Buck^[5] and won via first round submission. Paixão eventually fought and defeated Caraway via split decision at WEC 50.^[6]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In October 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.^[7] Paixão has the distinction of being part of the very first featherweight fight in UFC history. His UFC debut was against Pablo Garza at The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck Finale.^[8] Paixão was knocked out in the first round by a flying knee from Garza and subsequently released from the promotion.

Personal life

Paixão has a daughter named Emma.^[9] He appears in the video game UFC Undisputed 3.^[10]

^[11]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown

17 matches	11 wins	5 losses
By knockout	1	1
By submission	6	0
By decision	4	4
No contests	1

Res.	Record	Opponent	Method	Event	Date	Round	Time	Location	Notes
Loss	11–5 (1)	Lance Palmer	Decision (split)	RFA 4: Griffin vs. Escudero	November 2, 2012	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss	11–4 (1)	Pablo Garza	KO (flying knee)	The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale	December 4, 2010	1	0:51	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	First Featherweight fight in UFC history.
Win	11–3 (1)	Bryan Caraway	Decision (split)	WEC 50	August 18, 2010	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win	10–3 (1)	Courtney Buck	Submission (rear-naked choke)	WEC 47	March 6, 2010	1	2:39	Columbus, Ohio, United States
NC	9–3 (1)	Cole Province	NC (overturned)	WEC 42	August 9, 2009	3	5:00	Las Vegas, Nevada, United States	Originally a split decision loss. Overturned to no contest when Province failed his post-fight drug test.
Loss	9–3	Wagnney Fabiano	Decision (unanimous)	WEC 40	April 5, 2009	3	5:00	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win	9–2	Mitch Coats	Submission	Knockout Promotions 2009[12]	March 20, 2009	1	4:58	Boise, Idaho, United States
Win	8–2	Thomas Denny	Submission (armbar)	GFC: Evolution	May 19, 2007	1	4:32	Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win	7–2	Masakazu Imanari	Decision (majority)	Deep: 25 Impact	August 4, 2006	3	5:00	Tokyo, Japan
Loss	6–2	Marcos Galvão	Decision	Jungle Fight 6	April 29, 2006	3		Manaus, Brazil
Win	6–1	Mike French	Submission (armbar)	GFC: Team Gracie vs. Team Hammer House	March 3, 2006	2	0:42	Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win	5–1	Miljan Djurasinovic	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Jungle Fight 5	November 26, 2005	1		Manaus, Brazil
Win	4–1	Jean Robert Monier	Submission (rear-naked choke)	Jungle Fight 4	May 21, 2005	3		Manaus, Brazil
Win	3–1	Fábio Mello	Decision (unanimous)	Jungle Fight 3	October 23, 2004	3	5:00	Manaus, Brazil
Win	2–1	Andre Rodrigues	TKO	Papucaia Fight 1	September 11, 2004			Papucaia, Brazil
Loss	1–1	Yoshiro Maeda	Decision (unanimous)	Pancrase: Brave 7	August 22, 2004	3	5:00	Osaka, Japan
Win	1–0	Rani Yahya	Decision	Jungle Fight 2	May 15, 2004	3	5:00	Manaus, Brazil

See also

• List of Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners