Issue 157

August 2017

The best Brazilian MMA nicknames

They say you’ve made it in show business if you can be identified solely by a single name: think Prince, Rihanna or Bono, for example. In the colorful world of MMA a similar theory applies, though it’s most prevalent among those who emanate from Brazil, a country steeped in the tradition of nicknames. Some believe their widespread use arose from the slave trade and, latterly, the country’s historically high illiteracy rate (simplified names are easier to read and say). A mark of individuality, intimacy and a class signifier, these are some of the cool, wacky and downright bizarre nicknames of Brazilian mixed martial artists…

Jon Jones.

FELIPE ‘JON JONES’ BOAVENTURA & ROMULO ‘JON JONES’ ISMAEL

Though not an obvious choice of role model, there can be no doubting Jon Jones’ impact on the sport. The former UFC champion has inspired Brazilians like Boaventura (a 3-2 welterweight, pictured) and Ismael (a 0-2 heavyweight) to such an extent, they now carry his full name as their nickname.

Frog

RAFAEL ‘SAPO’ NATAL

Just as likely to be called Rafael ‘Sapo’ or ‘Sapo’ Natal as Rafael Natal, the Belo Horizonte native got his handle from his time in capoeira. Turning up to class nicknameless, a book was opened and on the page was a frog. Simple as that.

The Ant

JUSSIER ‘FORMIGA’ DA SILVA

It’s likely flyweight Jussier Formiga’s nickname is nothing more than a reflection on his height, or lack thereof. When the Brazilian national soccer team played its first match in 1914, the squad featured a diminutive player who carried the same label.

Crocodile

RONALDO ‘JACARE’ SOUZA

Talk about taking a nickname and making it your own. Ronaldo Souza is not only better known as ‘Jacare’, he even mimics a crocodile when he wins.

Minotaur

ANTONIO RODRIGO ‘MINOTAURO’ NOGUEIRA

A nickname inspired by an animal is nothing unusual, but the same cannot be said for those inspired by a creature of Greek mythology, with the head of a bull and the body of a man. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira got creative.

Gypsy

JUNIOR ‘CIGANO’ DOS SANTOS

Junior dos Santos used to rock long hair, tied back in a ponytail. It was this look, eerily similar to that of a character from a Brazilian soap opera, which inspired his friends to coin him ‘Cigano’ or ‘Gypsy’. “I hated it,” he said, “but the less you like it, the more it sticks.”

Frankenstein

LUIS HENRIQUE ‘FRANK WAISTEN/ FRANKENSTEIN’ JR.

Luis Henrique da Silva had always wanted to be known as Frankenstein. He just didn’t know how to spell it. For a while, he was known as ‘Frank Waisten’, but the light-heavyweight later sussed things out.

Squidward

EDNALDO ‘LULA MOLUSCO’ OLIVEIRA

It’s safe to say Ednaldo Oliveira is the only fi ghter in MMA history to borrow his nickname from SpongeBob SquarePants. ‘Lula Molusco’ is Portuguese for Squidward, Bob’s sidekick, an octopus with six tentacles, who matches Oliveira’s awkward, loose-limbed style.

Gary Lineker

JOHN LINEKER DOS SANTOS DE PAULA

John Lineker is a UFC bantamweight whose soccermad family had a fondness for ex-Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and England striker Gary Lineker. So deep was their admiration, they decided to name their son after him.

Lard

'BANHA' CANE

Luis Cane was given the nickname ‘Banha’ aged nine and overweight. A form of bullying to some, Cane, to his credit, used it as motivation to start training, get in shape and forge a fighting career.

Chewing Gum

‘BABALU’ SOBRAL

In fighting circles, Renato Sobral is almost never ever called by his birth name. ‘Babalu’ – a take on the brand of chewing gum that had red wrappers like the shirts he used to wear – is used much more often instead.

Tree Stump

‘TOQUINHO’ PALHARES

Look at the wedge of superhuman muscle and bone that is Rousimar Palhares and you can understand if the first words which spring to mind are along the lines of the thick end of a tree.

Big Nose

‘NAPÃO’ GONZAGA

Gabriel Gonzaga will forever possess a fighter’s face, replete with a flat, large nose. Yet it’s not the size of the nose that’s important, but the sixth sense it provides: the ability to sniff out danger.