Rodrigo Damm (; born 3 February 1980) is a Brazilian retired professional

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...

who last competed in the

Lightweight Lightweight is a weight class in combat sports and rowing. Boxing Professional boxing The lightweight division is over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms) weight class in the sport of boxing. Notable lightweight boxe ...

division of the

UFC The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

. A professional since 2004, he also competed for

World Victory Road World Victory Road (WVR) is a defunct Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) organization which promoted the Sengoku Raiden Championship (SRC) in Japan. The organization was formed in 2007 following the purchase of PRIDE FC by Zuffa. It operated in ...

Strikeforce Strike Force may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Games * ''Strike Force'' (video game), a 1991 arcade game *'' Commandos: Strike Force'', a 2006 video game *'' Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce'', a 2009 video game *''Marvel Strike Force'', ...

Jungle Fight Jungle Fight is a Brazilian mixed martial arts and kickboxing promotion. It was created in 2003. The name is derived from its origin, the Amazonas state in Brazil. History Jungle Fight was founded by pioneering MMA fighter and long-time Brazi ...

Shooto Shooto is a combat sport and mixed martial arts organization that is governed by the ''Shooto Association'' and the ''International Shooto Commission''. Shooto was originally formed in 1985, first as a particular fighting system and then in 198 ...

, and was a competitor on '' The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil''.

Background

Damm began training in

Brazilian jiu-jitsu Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ; pt, jiu-jitsu brasileiro ) is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting (ne-waza) and submission holds. BJJ focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, control ...

when he was 16 years old, and also competed in

wrestling Wrestling is a series of combat sports involving grappling-type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. Wrestling techniques have been incorporated into martial arts, combat ...

. He is a seven-time national champion in both sports as well as a world champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Damm made his professional mixed martial arts debut in October 2004, losing via split decision to Luciano Azevedo. In the years following that loss, he went on an 8 fight win streak while fighting all over the world including Japan, Russia and South Korea.

Strikeforce

Damm made his United States MMA debut at Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz against

Gilbert Melendez Gilbert Melendez (born April 12, 1982) is an American mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a two-time Strikeforce Lightweight Champion and a former WEC Lightwe ...

for the Strikeforce Interim Lightweight Championship. Damm returned to the promotion in 2011, where he faced Justin Wilcox in the main event at Strikeforce Challengers: Wilcox vs. Damm. He lost the fight via doctor stoppage between the first and second round due to a cut.

The Ultimate Fighter

In March 2012, Damm appeared as a fighter on '' The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil''. In the opening elimination fight, he defeated

Fabrício Guerreiro Fabrício de Assis Costa da Silva (born July 24, 1990), better known as Fabrício Guerreiro, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who is known to have competed in Bellator's Featherweight division. A professional competitor since 2009, Guerreiro ...

by submission (rear naked choke) in round 2 to get into the TUF house. Damm was selected fourth (eighth overall) by

Vitor Belfort Vítor Vieira Belfort (; born 1 April 1977) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Heavyweight and Middleweight divisions. Belfort previously competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he fought in the Heavywe ...

to be a part of Team Vitor. During the show, Damm often came to blows with Anistavio "Gasparzinho" Medeiros, as Gasparzinho's prankster attitude constantly annoyed the more serious Damm. In the quarterfinals, Damm was matched up against undefeated

John Teixeira John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second ...

. After three closely contested rounds, Damm won via split decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Damm made his UFC debut at

UFC 147 ''UFC 147: Silva vs. Franklin II'' was a mixed martial arts pay-per-view event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on June 23, 2012 at Mineirinho Arena in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Background The finals in the featherweight and middlewei ...

on 23 June 2012 where he faced his rival from the TUF, Gasparzinho. He won the fight via submission in the first round, earning a ''Submission of the Night'' bonus in the process. Damm fought

Antonio Carvalho Antonio Carvalho (born May 30, 1979) is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist. A professional from 2002 until 2013, he fought in the UFC and Shooto. Mixed martial arts career Early career Carvalho made his professional MMA debut in September 2 ...

on 17 November 2012 at

UFC 154 ''UFC 154: St-Pierre vs. Condit'' was a mixed martial arts pay-per-view event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on November 17, 2012, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Background Parent company Zuffa, LLC produced a UFC Pri ...

. Damm lost a back and forth fight via split decision. Damm next fought

Mizuto Hirota is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Featherweight division of the Rizin Fighting Federation. A professional competitor since 2005, he appeared in the Japanese MMA event Dynamite!! 2009 event and has also competed for U ...

UFC on Fuel TV 10 ''The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2'' is an installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)-produced reality television series ''The Ultimate Fighter''. This season consisted of 12 episodes and a live finale in Brazil. The season tournam ...

on 8 June 2013. He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision. Damm was expected to face

Hacran Dias Hacran Dias (born 16 May 1984) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is ranked #5 in the ACA lightweight rankings. In 2015, Dias was the #9 featherweig ...

UFC Fight Night 29 ''UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 29'') was a mixed martial arts event held on October 9, 2013, at the Ginásio José Corrêa in Barueri, Brazil. The event was broadcast live on Fox Sports 1. Background The e ...

. However, the bout was scrapped just days prior to the event after Damm was sidelined due to a

kidney stone Kidney stone disease, also known as nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis, is a crystallopathy where a solid piece of material (kidney stone) develops in the urinary tract. Kidney stones typically form in the kidney and leave the body in the urine s ...

attack. Damm moved back to

and faced

Ivan Jorge Ivan Jorge (born November 7, 1980) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2001, he has competed for the UFC, Fight Nights Global, Jungle Fight and M-1 Global. He is th ...

on 15 February 2014 at

UFC Fight Night 36 ''UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Mousasi'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 36'') was a mixed martial arts event held on February 15, 2014, at the Arena Jaraguá in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil. The event was broadcast live on Fox Sports 1. Background ...

. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Damm faced

Rashid Magomedov ) Brazilian Killer, Mr. Humble , image = , image_size = 200px , alt = , caption = , birth_name = Rashid Magomedgadzhievich Magomedov , birth_date = , birth_place = Makhachkala, Dagestan ASS ...

on 31 May 2014 at

The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale ''The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3'' is an installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)-produced reality television series ''The Ultimate Fighter''. It is the sixth series to be produced outside the United States and the third to film ...

He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Damm faced Al Iaquinta at

UFC Fight Night 50 The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

on 5 September 2014. Iaquinta defeated Damm via third-round TKO. Damm faced

Evan Dunham Evan Neil Dunham (born December 18, 1981) is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the lightweight division. He is perhaps best known for 21-fight tenure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship which spanned over a decade. Bac ...

on 3 January 2015 at

UFC 182 ''UFC 182: Jones vs. Cormier'' was a mixed martial arts event held on January 3, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Background The event was headlined by a Light Heavyweight Championship bout between the champion at that ...

. He lost the fight by unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion. Following his release, Damm posted this statement to social media. "I stopped, retired from MMA. I'm not training hard enough for quite some time. I go to my BJJ gym two or three times a week, when I can. I keep training but for my own pleasure. I'm enjoying my family. I spent a lot of time away from home and traveling, now I can watch my kids grow up. I think I'm gonna start doing business with my dad at his woodshop. This should be my future"

Personal life

Rodrigo's sister Carina Damm is also a mixed martial artist.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, inc ...

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

** Submission of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

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Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...

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, Decision (unanimous) , The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale: Miocic vs. Maldonado , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

São Paulo São Paulo (, ; Portuguese for 'Saint Paul') is the most populous city in Brazil, and is the capital of the state of São Paulo, the most populous and wealthiest Brazilian state, located in the country's Southeast Region. Listed by the GaWC a ...

, Brazil , , - , Win , align=center, 12–6 ,

, Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Mousasi , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Jaraguá do Sul Jaraguá do Sul () is a city in the north of the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. History The city was founded on July 25, 1876, by engineer and Brazilian Army colonel Emílio Carlos Jourdan and his family. The city was originally named jus ...

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, Decision (split) , UFC on Fuel TV: Nogueira vs. Werdum , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Fortaleza Fortaleza (, locally , Portuguese for ''Fortress'') is the state capital of Ceará, located in Northeastern Brazil. It belongs to the Metropolitan mesoregion of Fortaleza and microregion of Fortaleza. It is Brazil's 5th largest city and the t ...

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Montreal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-most populous city in Canada and List of towns in Quebec, most populous city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian ...

Quebec Quebec ( ; )According to the Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is one of the thirtee ...

, Canada , , - , Win , align=center, 10–5 , Anistavio Medeiros , Submission (rear-naked choke) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:12 ,

Belo Horizonte Belo Horizonte (, ; ) is the sixth-largest city in Brazil, with a population around 2.7 million and with a metropolitan area of 6 million people. It is the 13th-largest city in South America and the 18th-largest in the Americas. The metropol ...

, Brazil , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–5 , Justin Wilcox , TKO (doctor stoppage) , Strikeforce Challengers: Wilcox vs. Damm , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Stockton, California Stockton is a city in and the county seat of San Joaquin County, California, San Joaquin County in the Central Valley (California), Central Valley of the U.S. state of California. Stockton was founded by Carlos Maria Weber in 1849 after he acquir ...

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Maximo Blanco Maximo Blanco (born October 16, 1983) is a Venezuelan professional mixed martial artist who last competed in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2008, Blanco is the former Lightweight ...

, TKO (punches) , World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 13 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:45 ,

Tokyo Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...

, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 9–3 , Ivan Iberico , Decision (unanimous) , Jungle Fight 17: Vila Velha , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Vila Velha Vila Velha (; Portuguese for "Old Village") is a coastal city in Espírito Santo, Brazil. It lies across from Vitória, the state capital. Its population was 501,325 (2020) and its area is 210.23 km². Location Vila Velha forms part of th ...

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, KO (punches) , Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:02 ,

San Jose, California San Jose, officially San José (; ; ), is a major city in the U.S. state of California that is the cultural, financial, and political center of Silicon Valley and largest city in Northern California by both population and area. With a 2020 popul ...

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Eiji Mitsuoka is a retired Japanese professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor from 2001 until 2012, Mitsuoka fought for the UFC, DREAM, World Victory Road, PRIDE, Shooto, Cage Force, DEEP and King of the Cage promotions. Mitsuoka's nickna ...

, Submission (rear-naked choke) , World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 4 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:13 , Saitama, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 8–1 ,

Jorge Masvidal Jorge Masvidal (born November 12, 1984) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Welterweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Masvidal has been competing professionally since 2003; he ...

, TKO (punch) , World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 3 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:38 , Saitama, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 7–1 ,

Johil de Oliveira Johil de Oliveira (born August 7, 1969) is a Brazilian former professional mixed martial arts veteran fighter, Luta Livre practitioner and referee who has competed in Japan's Pride Fighting Championships and Brazilian-based organizations such ...

, Decision , Universidade Fight Show 1 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Espirito Santo ''Espirito'' (Brazilian for "Spirit") is the second album by Lawson Rollins. Rollins composed all of the music and co-produced the album with Persian-American musician and producer Shahin Shahida (of Shahin & Sepehr) and multi-platinum producer Do ...

, Brazil , , - , Win , align=center, 6–1 , Ryan Bow , KO (punches) , BodogFIGHT: Vancouver , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 1:03 ,

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, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 4–1 ,

Kultar Gill Kultar Gill is a retired professional Indian-Canadian welterweight Muay Thai kickboxer and Lightweight mixed martial artist. He is the owner of Mamba MMA in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Background Gill is from British Columbia, Canada and is ...

, Submission (rear-naked choke) , BodogFIGHT: Clash of the Nations I , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:11 , Saint Petersburg, Russia , , - , Win , align=center, 3–1 , Naoki Seki , Submission (armbar) , MARS 4: New Deal , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:48 , Tokyo, Japan , , - , Win , align=center, 2–1 , Jyu Do Fan , Submission (rear-naked choke) , MARS Attack 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:56 ,

Seoul Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 ...

, South Korea , , - , Win , align=center, 1–1 , Luciano Silva , Submission (rear-naked choke) , Night of Fight 1 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:26 ,

, Brazil , , - , Loss , align=center, 0–1 , Luciano Azevedo , Decision (split) , Shooto Brazil: Never Shake , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 5:00 , São Paulo, Brazil ,

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

, - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , John Macapá , Decision (split) , The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil , align=center, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 , Brazil , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 ,

, Submission (rear-naked choke) , The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil , align=center, , align=center, 2 , align=center, N/A , Brazil ,

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Damm, Rodrigo 1980 births Living people Brazilian male mixed martial artists Brazilian male sport wrestlers Brazilian practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu Lightweight mixed martial artists Welterweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing wrestling Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters Brazilian people of German descent People from Vila Velha People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu Sportspeople from Espírito Santo