Gabriel Miranda: Inspired by an Icon

---

Gabriel Miranda was a teenager when he first saw former Pride Fighting Championships heavyweight titleholder Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira survive a hellacious beating to dispatch the monstrous Bob Sapp with an armbar in front of 90,000 fans at Tokyo National Stadium in Japan on Aug. 28, 2002. It led to his transformation from jiu-jitsu player to mixed martial artist and ultimately altered the course of his life.

“When I saw ‘Minotauro’ submit that giant of a man after suffering a piledriver,” Miranda told Sherdog.com, “I decided to join the sport.”

Fast forward two decades later, and the 35-year-old Brazilian featherweight has made it to the highest level of MMA with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Miranda will look to secure a stronger foothold on the roster when he meets Jamall Emmers as part of the UFC on ESPN 64 undercard this Saturday at Arena CDMX in Mexico City. He steps back into view with wins in four of his past six bouts. However, Miranda finds himself on the rebound following a knockout loss to Morgan Charriere at UFC Fight Night 243 in September, as he filled in as a short-notice replacement for the injured A.J. Cunningham.

“It was last minute,” he said. “People were afraid of him. I never say no to the UFC. It’s the world’s top promotion. Whatever they say, I’ll do it. I’ve never chosen my opponents.”

Miranda operates out of the Astra Fight Team camp in Balneario Camboriu, Brazil, where he irons out his game under longtime mentor Marcelo “Zulu” dos Santos Martins Gomes and several other qualified coaches, including Marcelo Brigadeiro, Tim Ruberg and Alexandre Guerra.

“Even though we train in every facet of MMA, to this day, my primary skill is jiu-jitsu,” he said. “I feel very comfortable on the mat, whether on top or on the bottom.”

Emmers, 35, serves as another difficult test. The Pinnacle MMA export has alternated wins and losses in each of his past seven appearances. Emmers has not competed since he bowed to first-round punches from former M-1 Global champion Nate Landwehr at UFC on ESPN 54 more than a year ago. Victories over Dennis Buzukja, Khusein Askhabov and Vince Cachero anchor his resume.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Miranda said. “I’m healthy. I want to keep up my fight rhythm. I know he’s a complete fighter. All UFC fighters train in every area. The UFC doesn’t offer battles of styles anymore. If you’re not complete, you won’t last long.”

Miranda has already visualized the outcome.

“Whether it’s by knockout, submission or points, I only see one possibility: my arm raised in the end,” he said. “I need this win.” The Telemaco Borba, Brazil, native does not have to search far and wide for motivation. He finds it at home. “God willing, I’ll bring this win back to my family,” Miranda said. “Often, fans only see the fighters themselves making sacrifices, but my wife and children sacrifice just as much for my career. I get my strength from them. My goal is to show my children that it’s possible to make your dreams a reality.”