Fredson Paixão


Fredson Paixão Melo is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor. He has competed as a featherweight in the United States with the UFC and WEC, in Japan with Deep, and in Brazil with Jungle Fight. He is a four-time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion and a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu professor, who teaches in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has affiliate schools in California and Okinawa, Japan, under the Fredson Paixao Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association banner. He is a former member of the Gracie Barra Combat Team.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Paixão is one of the top grapplers in the world, earning his black belt under Grand Master Osvaldo Alves in 1998. He is one of only two people to ever be skipped from purple belt straight to black belt. He has won multiple World Championships as a black belt. He took first place in the Worlds in 1998 ; and in 2001, 2002, and 2005. In addition, he finished second in 2004. He is also a nine-time Brazilian National Champion.
In May 2010, Paixão defeated Caol Uno in a no-gi jiu-jitsu superfight at the UFC Fan Expo held in Las Vegas at UFC 114.

Mixed martial arts career

Paixão made his WEC debut at WEC 40, where he lost a unanimous decision to Wagnney Fabiano. Next, Paixao originally suffered a split decision loss to Cole Province at WEC 42, but the result was changed to a no contest after Province tested positive for banned substances during a post-fight screening.
Paixão was expected to face Bryan Caraway on March 6, 2010, at WEC 47, but Caraway was forced off the card with an injury. Paixão instead faced Courtney Buck and won via first round submission. Paixão eventually fought and defeated Caraway via split decision at WEC 50.

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. Paixão has the distinction of being part of the very first featherweight fight in UFC history. His UFC debut was against Pablo Garza at. Though Paixão was knocked out in the first round by a flying knee from Garza and released from the promotion, he continues to be the personal BJJ coach to many UFC executives and fighters.

Personal life

Paixão has a daughter named Emma.
In December 2017, Paixao is alleged to have assaulted a student in a post belt-promotion gathering by choking him unconscious without provocation.

Mixed martial arts record

Championships and achievements

Grappling

Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Osvaldo Alves.
4 time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion:
1998, 2001, 2002, 2005
9 time Brazilian National Champion:
1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004