Rafael Cordeiro (born June 1, 1973) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts (MMA) coach and founder of MMA Gym, Kings MMA. He is best known for training multiple MMA world champions.

Rafael Cordeiro
Born (1973-06-01) June 1, 1973 (age 51)
Curitiba, Brazil
Other namesMestre
ResidenceHuntington Beach, California, United States
Height5-ft 10 in
Weight155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st)
DivisionLightweight
StyleMuay Thai
TeamKings MMA (2010–present)
Chute Boxe Academy (until 2009)
Mixed martial arts record
Total6
Wins4
By knockout1
By submission2
By decision1
Losses2
By knockout0
By submission1
By decision1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

History

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Cordeiro was a fighter affiliated with the Chute Boxe Academy where he participated in mixed martial arts and Muay Thai. He was three-time Brazilian Muay Thai champion and lightweight champion at the International Vale Tudo Championship (IVC).[1][2]

In 1999, Cordeiro stopped competing professionally and started his career as a full-time coach at Chute Boxe where would remain until 2009.[3] In 2008 he moved to the United States and in 2010 opened his own gym, Kings MMA in Huntington Beach, California.[4]

Cordeiro has won the 2012 and 2016 coach of the year awards for MMA.[5][6]

In 2019, during the weigh-ins for UFC 244, the NYSAC "determined that Kelvin Gastelum made contact with another person while on the scale, a violation of the weigh in policy". This was because he was in contact with Cordeiro, who was his coach for the bout. As a result, Gastelum and Rafael Cordeiro were fined $1,000 and $200 respectively by New York State Athletic Commission.[7]

In 2020, Cordeiro was trainer and cornerman to the former boxing world heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson for his exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr.[8][9]

Notable students

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Mixed martial arts

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Boxing

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Championships and accomplishments

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
6 matches 4 wins 2 losses
By knockout 1 0
By submission 2 1
By decision 1 0
By disqualification 0 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 4–2 Rumina Sato Submission (kneebar) VTJ 1999 - Vale Tudo Japan 1999 December 11, 1999 1 0:58 Japan
Win 4–1 Henry Matamoros Decision (unanimous) IVC 9 - The Revenge January 20, 1999 1 30:00 Brazil Won IVC Lightweight Championship
Loss 3–1 Sergio Melo DQ (rope grabbing) IVC 7 - The New Champions August 23, 1998 1 11:32 Brazil
Win 3–0 Altair de Oliveira Submission (rear-naked choke) BVF 4 - Circuito de Lutas 7 August 1, 1996 1 2:24 Brazil
Win 2–0 Cosminho da Silva Submission (rear-naked choke) BVF 4 - Circuito de Lutas 7 August 1, 1996 1 3:38 Brazil
Win 1–0 Daniel Daniel TKO (cut) CP X CB - Capoeira vs. Chute Boxe August 29, 1993 1 0:42 Brazil

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "One-on-One with Rafael Cordeiro". Sherdog.
  2. ^ "IVC 9 - The Revenge". Sherdog.
  3. ^ a b "– 20 YEARS IN, RAFAEL CORDEIRO EXITS CHUTE BOXE | MMAWeekly.com". April 19, 2009.
  4. ^ "Rafael Cordeiro (@kingsmma_hb) posted on Instagram • May 5, 2020 at 4:30pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Tucker, Bryan (January 11, 2013). "World MMA Awards 2012 Results". MMA Fighting.
  6. ^ a b Tucker, Bryan (February 5, 2016). "World MMA Awards 2016 Results". MMA Fighting.
  7. ^ Marrocco, Steven (November 8, 2019). "NYSAC fines Kelvin Gastelum, Rafael Cordeiro and Corey Anderson for UFC 244 actions". MMA Fighting. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Who is Mike Tyson's trainer Rafael Cordeiro?". Sporting Excitement. November 25, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Cruz, Guilherme (November 25, 2020). "Coach says Mike Tyson aiming to knock out Roy Jones Jr. despite rules: 'No one spars a full month for an exhibition'". MMA Fighting.
  10. ^ a b Rezende, Lucas (March 16, 2017). "Anderson Silva's former coach will train Kelvin Gastelum for UFC 212". Bloody Elbow.
  11. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (July 3, 2014). "Lyoto Machida's coach: Chris Weidman is going to get knocked out". MMA Fighting.
  12. ^ Richardson, Andrew (December 3, 2020). "Fighter on Fighter: Breaking down UFC Vegas 16's Marvin Vettori". MMA Mania.