Gustavo The Lion Lopez

Infobox Martial artist biography
name = Gustavo Lopez


imagesize =
caption =
birthname = Gustavo Rene Lopez
nickname = The Lion El Leon
nationality = flagicon|Cubaflagicon|USA Cuban-American
dateofbirth = birth date and age|year=1987|month=9|day=8
placeofbirth = Miami, Florida
fightingoutof = Bronx, New York
dateofdeath =
placeofdeath =
height = height|m=1.80
weightlb = 205
weightkg =
reachin =
reachcm =
style = Muay Thai, Boxing, Vale Tudo
stance = Orthodox
team = None
trainer = None
yearsactive = 7 (2001-present)
boxingwins = 7
boxingkowins = 6
boxinglosses = 0
boxingkolosses = 0
boxingdraws = 0
boxingncs = 0
kickboxingwins = 2
kickboxingkowins = 2
kickboxinglosses = 0
kickboxingkolosses = 0
kickboxingdraws = 0
kickboxingncs = 0
amwins = 0
amkowins = 0
amsubwins = 0
amlosses = 1
amkolosses = 0
amsublosses = 1
amdraws = 0
amncs = 0
other =
occupation = Fighter
spouse = Valerie
children = Evelyn
relatives =
students =
university =
url = http://myspace.com/cheisdead/

Gustavo "The Lion" Lopez (born September 8, 1987) is a young up and coming Cuban-American, Amateur mixed martial artist, kickboxer, boxer. Lopez is a Miami, Florida native who currently resides in the Bronx, New York where he trains at The WAT Phil Nurse's Muay Thai Gym in Chinatown, New York. Other notable mixed martial artist who train with Phil Nurse are UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre and UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Rashad Evans. However He is not part of The WAT fight team, Lopez frequents the gym to train and get prepared for his matches. He is 7-0 in Amateur Boxing and is rumored to compete in the 2009 New York City Golden Glove Competition. He is 2-0 in Amateur Kick Boxing / Muay Thai. He is currently 0-1 in Amateur Mixed Martial Arts / Vale Tudo suffering a defeat by submission in the 1st round in his debut with the Vale Tudo Underground Combat League promotion.

Boxing

Lopez` began training in Boxing at the young age of 13 years old and his Amateur Boxing career began at the young age of 14 years old. He trained under Antonio "Junior" Gonzalez a fellow Cuban Boxing Coach. Lopez had a promising start in Boxing winning all of his 7 bouts and 6 of the bouts by K.O. 1 of his bouts by Unanimous Decision. Lopez` would train with Antonio Gonzalez after school without his parents permission. Lopez was not allowed to compete in Boxing due to his Grandmother not agreeing with allowing him to box. Lopez kept his hobby in boxing a secret from family and friends for fear of being caught. He would not open up about his matches in boxing until years later. Lopez` boxing career was put on hold in 2003 after he suffered a broken jaw due to a street confrontation that caused him to have his mouth wired shut. Lopez` was hit with brass knuckles which broke his jaw severely. Lopez lost about 30 lbs and took 3 to 4 months to fully recover.

After recovering Lopez came back to realize his Boxing Coach and mentor "Junior" turned into an Alcoholic and stopped coaching him for Boxing altogether.

After Lopez and "Junior" parted ways, Lopez trained himself for his last boxing match in 2005 at the age of 16. Without his manager and coach "Junior" Lopez was lied about the boxing match and organization. It was a unsanctioned bout. His original opponent did not show up to fight. The promoter gave Lopez a taller and heavier opponent as a replacement match up. Lopez had both eyes almost swelled shut, and a broken nose from the jab of his taller opponent. Lopez landed a couple of left and right hooks to the liver of his opponent which in turn opened up for an uppercut that ended the match. Lopez won the match by K.O. in 1:53 of the 3rd round.

Gustavo has announced on his official MySpace website that he will return to Amateur Boxing to compete in the New York City Golden Glove 2009 Competition at the 200+ division.

Kick Boxing / Muay Thai

Lopez was introduced to Kick Boxing or Muay Thai by a local Miami friend who just came back from Thailand. They trained together and Lopez fought his first unsanctioned Muay Thai match in early January 2005 at the age of 17. The bout was Full Contact Rules with elbows to all parts of the body and knees to the head and body. Lopez won by K.O. at 2:46 of the 2nd Round due to a roundhouse kick to the head. He fought again 3 months later and won his bout by K.O. at 1:05 of the 1st Round by an uppercut. That was his last Muay Thai match up due to him moving to New York City.

Gustavo has also announced recently on his MySpace that he will return to Muay Thai / Kick Boxing soon. No date or official announcement of a match is yet determined.

Mixed Martial Arts - Vale Tudo

Gustavo Lopez Amateur Mixed Martial Arts debut was on May 18th, 2008 in the Underground Combat League a Vale Tudo promotion. This was Lopez first match in New York City. His debut in Mixed Martial Arts was not so successful in Lopez favor. His opponent was Mike Mullero a Sensei of a local Karate - MMA School in the New York City area. Lopez was originally supposed to fight Adam Nadler a fellow Muay Thai / Stand up fighter. Nadler was arrested two days before the bout due to Parole Violation. Lopez and Mullero started off the round with a couple of punches and kicks exchanged from both fighters. Mullero charged forward and Lopez was taken down. Overwhelmed by Mullero's grappling skills and struggling for a better position, Mullero took advantage and locked in a Americana Key lock forcing Lopez to tap out at at 2:02 in the 1st Round.

Lopez announced on his MySpace that he has taken a break from Mixed Martial Arts until he feels comfortable enough to compete again and comfortable with the grappling aspect of MMA. Lopez has announced while he competes in Boxing and Muay Thai he will train and focus on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling for his come back into Mixed Martial Arts. Lopez admitted to not training for the ground since his original opponent was not a known grappler.

Lopez also stated that he will compete in Boxing and Muay Thai matches to keep his skills sharpened in the ring while he continues to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to be better prepared for his next mixed martial arts bout.

Personal life

Gustavo is a Cuban-American born and raised in Miami, Florida. The majority of his family lives in the Villa Clara Province of Cuba, in the small town of San Antonio de las Vueltas. Some family members reside in the capital Havana, Cuba.

Family Life

Lopez is engaged to his fiance` Valerie. They have a 2 year old daughter together named Evelyn. They live together in the Bronx, New York

External links

* [http://myspace.com/cheisdead Official MySpace]