Enrique Barzola Explained

Enrique Barzola
Birth Name:Enrique Johnatan Barzola Acosta[1]
Other Names:El Fuerte
Birth Date:1989 4, df=yes
Birth Place:Lima, Peru[2]
Fighting Out Of:Lima, Peru
Weight Lb:145
Weight Class:Featherweight
Bantamweight (2020-present)
Reach:70 in
Style:Wrestling, Luta Livre, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Rank:Black belt in Luta Livre under Ivan Iberico
Team:American Top Team (2015–2019)[3]
American Kickboxing Academy (2019–present)[4]
Years Active:2012–present
Mma Kowin:5
Mma Subwin:4
Mma Decwin:11
Mma Subloss:1
Mma Decloss:8
Mma Draw:2
Sherdog:129351

Enrique Johnatan Barzola Acosta (born 28 April 1989) is a Peruvian mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of Professional Fighters League. He was the lightweight winner on [5] and he competed in both Bellator MMA and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[2]

Background

Barzola was born in Lima, Peru. He was graphic designer and studied architecture in college briefly prior to fighting professionally in MMA.[2]

Barzola was a wrestler and never thought that he would become a professional fighter, due to money being scarce to pay for MMA lessons. He has enjoyed mixed martial arts from a young age, watching Cain Velasquez and Fedor Emelianenko on YouTube.[6] He transitioned from wrestling to mixed martial arts when he was 22.[2] After six months of training, he announced that he would one day fight in UFC where he was laughed at by his gym mates,[7] and four years later he became the winner of “".[5]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Barzola began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2012.

While on the regional circuit in South America, he competed primarily in his home country of Peru. He amassed a record of 10-2-1 prior joining UFC.[8]

The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2

Barzola was selected as one of the cast members for, UFC The Ultimate Fighter TV series, under Team Efrain Escudero in April 2015.[9]

In the elimination round, Barzola defeated the Chilean Jonathan Ortega by unanimous decision.[10] Barzola next faced Paraguayan Cesar Arzamendia in the semifinals and won by submission in round one. He moved on to face Horacio Gultierrez in the finals at UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Gastelum.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Barzola made his promotional debut on 21 November 2015 at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale. He faced Horacio Gutierrez in the finals for . He defeated Gutierrez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30–27, 30–27).[5]

He next faced Kyle Bochniak on 27 August 2016 at .[11] He lost via split decision.[12] He stated after the fight that he disagreed with the judges decision saying "It was a very bad decision because everyone saw that I won. I connected more, I was more active and pressed all the time. I will correct some errors without considering this duel as a defeat".[13] 14 out of 14 media scores gave it to Barzola.[14]

His third fight in UFC was against Chris Avila on 5 November 2016 at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale.[15] He picked up a win via unanimous decision.[16]

On 13 May 2017, Barzola took up Gabriel Benítez at UFC 211.[17] After three rounds, judges awarded the win to Barzola via unanimous decision with (29-28) across the score board.[18]

Barzola faced Arnold Allen at UFC 220 on 20 January 2018.[19] However, Allen was pulled from the fight on 11 January due to alleged visa issues which restricted his ability to travel, and he was replaced by Matt Bessette.[20] Barzola won the fight by unanimous decision.[21]

Barzola faced Brandon Davis on 19 May 2018 at UFC Fight Night 129.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]

Barzola was expected to face Nad Narimani on 17 November 2018 at UFC Fight Night 140.[24] However, on 25 October 2018, it was reported that Barzola pulled out of the fight due to arm injury.[25]

Barzola faced Kevin Aguilar on 30 March 2019 at UFC on ESPN 2.[26] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[27]

Barzola faced Bobby Moffett on 10 August 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 14.[28] He won the fight via split decision.[29] 7 out of 12 media scores gave it to Barzola.[30]

Barzola faced Movsar Evloev on 26 October 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 20.[31] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[32] 4 out of 9 media scores gave it to Barzola.[33]

Barzola faced Rani Yahya on 14 March 2020 at UFC Fight Night 170.[34] After a back-and-forth three rounds, the judges declared the bout a majority draw decision.[35]

After fighting out his four-year and 10-fight contract, he was not re-signed and became a free agent.[36] [37]

Bellator MMA

On 11 August 2021, it was announced that Barzola signed a multifight contract with Bellator.[38]

Barzola made his promotional debut against Darrion Caldwell on January 29, 2022, at Bellator 273.[39] He won the bout via ground and pound TKO in the third round.[40]

Barzola was scheduled to face Josh Hill on April 22, 2022, at Bellator 278.[41] Due to the pull out of two fighters from the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix due to injuries, the bout was changed to a wild card qualifier for one of the spots in the tournament.[42] Due to Covid, Hill had to pull out of the bout and was replaced by Nikita Mikhailov.[43] [44] He won the bout in dominant fashion via unanimous decision.[45]

Barzola faced Magomed Magomedov in the quarterfinals of the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix on June 24, 2022, at Bellator 282. He lost the bout via guillotine choke in the fourth round, losing for the first time via stoppage in his career.[46]

Barzola faced Juan Archuleta on October 1, 2022, at Bellator 286.[47] At weigh ins, the bout was moved to a catchweight of 141 pounds.[48] In a fast-paced bout, Barzola lost the bout via unanimous decision.[49]

Barzola faced Érik Pérez on March 10, 2023, at Bellator 292.[50] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[51]

Barzola faced Jaylon Bates on August 11, 2023, at Bellator 298.[52] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[53]

PFL

In his PFL debut, Barzola faced Ádám Borics on April 19, 2024 at PFL 3 (2024).[54] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[55]

Barzola next faced Timur Khizriev at PFL 6 (2024) on June 28, 2024, losing the fight via unanimous decision.[56]

Barzola is scheduled to face Tyler Diamond on August 23, 2024 at PFL 9.[57]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Personal life

Barzola's moniker "El Fuerte" means "The Fort / The Strong" in English and he considers himself as "The Fort of El Agustino" (El Agustino, a district of Lima) - a humble person who fights for his dream.[59]

Barzola appeared in the Reebok "Be More Human" Latin America advertising campaign.[60] [61]

His favorite fighter is Stipe Miocic.[62]

He is also a Christian, and nicknames himself "Guerrero de Cristo" (Warrior for Christ), as this nickname is also written on a Peruvian flag that is usually shown in the cage.[63]

Mixed martial arts record

|-||align=center||Tyler Diamond||PFL 9 (2024)||align=center||align=center||Washington, D.C., United States ||-|Loss|align=center|20–9–2|Timur Khizriev|Decision (unanimous)|PFL 6 (2024)||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States||-|Loss|align=center|20–8–2|Ádám Borics|Decision (unanimous)|PFL 3 (2024)||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Chicago, Illinois, United States||-|Win|align=center|20–7–2|Jaylon Bates|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 298||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States||-|Win|align=center|19–7–2|Érik Pérez|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 292||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|San Jose, California, United States||-|Loss|align=center|18–7–2|Juan Archuleta|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 286||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Long Beach, California, United States||-|Loss|align=center|18–6–2|Magomed Magomedov|Submission (guillotine choke)|Bellator 282||align=center|4|align=center|1:27|Uncasville, Connecticut, United States||-|Win|align=center|18–5–2| Nikita Mikhailov|Decision (unanimous)| Bellator 278| | align=center|3| align=center|5:00| Honolulu, Hawaii, United States||-|Win|align=center|17–5–2|Darrion Caldwell|TKO (punches and elbows)|Bellator 273||align=center|3|align=center|3:01|Phoenix, Arizona, United States||-|Draw|align=center||Rani Yahya|Draw (majority)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Brasília, Brazil||-|Loss|align=center|16–5–1|Movsar Evloev|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Kallang, Singapore| |-|Win|align=center|16–4–1|Bobby Moffett|Decision (split)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Montevideo, Uruguay||-|Loss|align=center|15–4–1|Kevin Aguilar|Decision (unanimous)| ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States||- |Win|align=center|15–3–1|Brandon Davis|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Santiago, Chile||-|Win|align=center|14–3–1|Matt Bessette|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 220 ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Boston, Massachusetts, United States||-| Win| align=center| 13–3–1| Gabriel Benítez| Decision (unanimous)| UFC 211| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Dallas, Texas, United States||-| Win| align=center| 12–3–1| Chris Avila| Decision (unanimous)| The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 3 Finale: dos Anjos vs. Ferguson| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Mexico City, Mexico||-| Loss| align=center| 11–3–1| Kyle Bochniak| Decision (split)| | | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada||-| Win| align=center| 11–2–1| Horacio Gutierrez| Decision (unanimous)| The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale: Magny vs. Gastelum| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Monterrey, Mexico||-| Win| align=center| 10–2–1| Fernando Perez| TKO (punches)| Peru FC 18| | align=center| 2| align=center| 4:36| Lima, Peru||-| Loss| align=center| 9–2–1| Martin Mollinedo| Decision (unanimous)| Fusion FC 9| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Lima, Peru||-| Win| align=center| 9–1–1| Manuel Meza| Decision (unanimous)| Inka FC 26| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Lima, Peru||-| Win| align=center| 8–1–1| Humberto Bandenay| Submission (rear-naked choke)| Inka FC 25| | align=center| 2| align=center| N/A| Lima, Peru||-| Loss| align=center| 7–1–1| Fernando Bruno| Decision (unanimous)| rowspan=2|300 Sparta 5 Grand Prix| rowspan=2|| align=center| 2| align=center| 5:00| rowspan=2|Lima, Peru||-| Win| align=center| 7–0–1| Marco Anatoly| TKO (punches)| align=center| 2| align=center| N/A| |-| Win| align=center| 6–0–1| Missael Silva de Souza| TKO (punches)| Show Fighting Enterprise 2| | align=center| 2| align=center| 2:25| Quito, Ecuador||-| Win| align=center| 5–0–1| Joel Iglesias| TKO (punches)| Inka FC 24| | align=center| 2| align=center| 3:29| Lima, Peru||-| Win| align=center| 4–0–1| Jorge Enciso| Submission (rear-naked choke)| 300 Sparta MMA 4| | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:00| Lima, Peru||-| Draw| align=center| 3–0–1| Gonzalo Vallejo| Decision (unanimous)| 300 Sparta MMA 2| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Lima, Peru||-| Win| align=center| 3–0| Emiliano Nielli| Submission (rear-naked choke)| Inka FC 21| | align=center| 3| align=center| 0:00| Lima, Peru||-| Win| align=center| 2–0| Jorge Luis Figueroa Duran| Decision (unanimous)| 300 Sparta MMA 1| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Lima, Peru||-| Win| align=center| 1–0| Arturo Frias| Submission (rear-naked choke)| Inka FC 19| | align=center| 1| align=center| 2:28| Lima, Peru||-[64]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Enrique Barzola . 2017-07-11 . Tapology.com . 2017-07-11.
  2. Web site: Enrique Barzola . UFC.com . 2017-07-11.
  3. News: La hazaña de Enrique Barzola deja huella peruana en UFC - FIGHTLAND . Fightland . 2017-07-11 . en.
  4. Web site: Enrique Barzola details 'radical' training camp switch to AKA in preparation for UFC Uruguay . 10 August 2019 . mmafighting.com . Danny Segura.
  5. News: UFC Fight Night 78 results: Enrique Barzola dominates Horacio Gutierrez for 'TUF' crown . 2015-11-22 . MMAjunkie . 2017-07-11 . en-US.
  6. Web site: Central CMD: Informe especial sobre Enrique Barzola (UFC) . 2015-12-22 . . 2017-07-11.
  7. http://elcomercio.pe/deporte-total/polideportivo/enrique-barzola-dije-iba-ufc-rieron-mi-423298&prev=search
  8. Web site: Enrique . Sherdog.com . 2017-07-11.
  9. Web site: The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Cast Revealed - MMAWeekly.com . Mmaweekly.com . 22 April 2015 . en-US . 2017-07-11.
  10. http://elbocon.pe/otros-deportes/tuf-enrique-barzola-vencio-a-chileno-ortega-y-celebro-con-bandera-peruana-111519/&usg=ALkJrhg9I8dyeOd-SeEx9k3-aJ_8HJnvGg
  11. News: Enrique Barzola meets Kyle Bochniak at UFC on FOX 21 . 2016-06-27 . MMAjunkie . 2017-07-11 . en-US.
  12. News: UFC on FOX 21 results: Kyle Bochniak's leg kicks help in split decision over Enrique Barzola . 2016-08-27 . MMAjunkie . 2017-07-11 . en-US.
  13. Web site: El peruano Barzola perdió con polémica en UFC . Univision.com . 2017-07-11.
  14. Web site: Kyle Bochniak def. Enrique Barzola: UFC on Fox 21 :: MMA Decisions. 2022-01-31. mmadecisions.com.
  15. News: UFC Fight Night 98 adds Chris Avila vs. Enrique Barzola, Enrique Briones vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade . 2016-10-05 . MMAjunkie . 2017-07-11 . en-US.
  16. News: UFC Fight Night 98 results: Enrique Barzola uses takedowns to cruise past Chris Avila . 2016-11-05 . MMAjunkie . 2017-07-11 . en-US.
  17. News: 'The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America' vets Enrique Barzola and Gabriel Benitez meet at UFC 211 in Dallas . 2017-02-23 . MMAjunkie . 2017-07-11 . en-US.
  18. News: UFC 211 results: Enrique Barzola tops Gabriel Benitez in fun back-and-forth scrap . 2017-05-13 . MMAjunkie . 2017-07-11 . en-US.
  19. News: UFC: peruano Enrique Barzola enfrentará a Arnold Allen el 20 de enero en Boston . Bermúdez . Pablo . 2017-12-30 . depor.pe . 2017-12-31 . es-PE.
  20. News: UFC 220: Matt Bessette booked to fight Enrique Barzola . 2018-01-11 . FanSided . 2018-01-12 . en-US.
  21. News: UFC 220 results: Takedowns help Enrique Barzola to unanimous decision over Matt Bessette . 2018-01-21 . MMAjunkie . 2018-01-21 . en-US.
  22. Web site: Enrique Barzola meets Brandon Davis during UFC Fight Night 129 in Santiago . Marcel Dorff . mmadna.nl . 2018-04-12 . 2018-04-12 . nl.
  23. News: UFC Fight Night 129 results: Enrique Barzola's wrestling too much for Brandon Davis . 2018-05-20 . MMAjunkie . 2018-05-20 . en-US.
  24. Web site: Enrique Barzola vs. Nad Narimani first known fight for UFC Buenos Aires . mmadna.nl . Marcel Dorff . 2018-08-16 . 2018-08-16 . nl.
  25. Web site: Enrique Barzola geblesseerd, vecht niet tegen Nad Narimani tijdens UFC Buenos Aires . DNA . MMA . mmadna.nl . 26 October 2018 . en-US . 2018-10-26.
  26. News: Featherweight match between Enrique Barzola and Kevin Aguilar at UFC Philadelphia . mmadna.nl . Marcel Dorff . 2019-02-07 . 2019-02-07 . nl.
  27. Web site: UFC Philadelphia: Kevin Aguilar denies takedowns, decisions Enrique Barzola . 2019-03-30 . MMA Junkie . en . 2019-03-31.
  28. Web site: Enrique Barzola volverá a la acción en el UFC Uruguay, ante 'El Hombre Lobo' Bobby Moffett . Trome . Redacción . 2019-06-14 . trome.pe . es . 2019-06-15.
  29. Web site: UFC Uruguay Results: Enrique Barzola Narrowly Out-Works Bobby Moffett for Split-Decision Victory . Harshman . Heath . 2019-08-10 . Cageside Press . en-US . 2019-08-11.
  30. Web site: Enrique Barzola def. Bobby Moffett : UFC on ESPN+ 14 :: MMA Decisions. 2022-01-31. www.mmadecisions.com.
  31. Web site: BREAKING: Enrique Barzola vs. Movsar Evloev toegevoegd aan UFC Singapore . DNA . MMA . 30 September 2019 . en-US . 2019-09-30.
  32. Web site: UFC Singapore Results: Movsar Evloev Earns Hard-Fought Decision Over Game Enrique Barzola . Anderson . Jay . 2019-10-26 . Cageside Press . en-US . 2019-10-26.
  33. Web site: Movsar Evloev def. Enrique Barzola :: UFC on ESPN+ 20 : MMA Decisions. 2022-01-31. www.mmadecisions.com.
  34. Web site: De UFC bevestigd drie nieuwe gevechten voor UFC Brasilia (incl. potentiële #1 contender gevecht) . DNA . MMA . 26 December 2019 . en-US . 2019-12-27.
  35. Web site: UFC Brasilia Results: Rani Yahya Dominates Early, Enrique Barzola Storms Back in Majority Draw . Anderson . Jay . 2020-03-14 . Cageside Press . en-US . 2020-03-15.
  36. Web site: Simon . Zane . 2013-01-29 . List of current UFC fighters . 2021-03-22 . Bloody Elbow . en.
  37. Web site: Following surprise UFC departure, Enrique Barzola excited to test free agency . 15 May 2021 . . Danny Segura.
  38. Web site: 2021-08-11 . 'TUF: Latin America 2' winner Enrique Barzola signs multifight contract with Bellator . 2021-08-12 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  39. Web site: ATSteveDuncan. 2021-12-13. Enrique Barzola debutará en Bellator MMA el 29 de enero. 2021-12-13. MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español.. es.
  40. Web site: Briggs. Brady. 2022-01-30. Enrique Barzola breaks, stops Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 273. 2022-01-30. MyMMANews.com. en-US.
  41. Web site: 2022-03-20 . Bellator 278 adds Enrique Barzola vs. Josh Hill to lineup for Hawaii . 2022-03-20 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  42. Web site: 2022-03-22 . Bellator adds two wild card bouts, four fighters to bantamweight grand prix . 2022-03-24 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  43. Web site: 2022-04-05 . Bellator bantamweight grand prix takes another hit with Josh Hill withdrawal . 2022-04-06 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  44. Web site: 2022-04-11 . Josh Hill out of Bellator bantamweight grand prix, Nikita Mikhailov to face Enrique Barzola . 2022-04-11 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  45. Web site: 2022-04-23 . Bellator 278 results: Enrique Barzola, Danny Sabatello enter Bellator grand prix after wild card wins . 2022-04-23 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  46. Web site: King . Nolan . 2022-06-25 . Bellator 282 results: Magomed Magomedov jumps for a guillotine, becomes first to submit Enrique Barzola . 2022-06-25 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  47. Web site: Hannoun . Farah . 2022-08-09 . Aaron Pico vs. Jeremy Kennedy, Juan Archuleta vs. Enrique Barzola among 6 additions to Bellator 286 . 2022-08-09 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  48. Web site: Sherdog.com . Bellator 286 Weigh-in Results: Title Fight Official; 2 Fighters Miss Weight . 2022-09-30 . Sherdog . en.
  49. Web site: Bohn . Mike . 2022-10-02 . Bellator 286 results: Juan Archuleta's takedowns key in decision over Enrique Barzola . 2022-10-02 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  50. Web site: Segura . Danny . King . Nolan . 2023-01-13 . Erik Perez vs. Enrique Barzola booked for Bellator 292 . 2023-01-14 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  51. Web site: Sherdog.com . Bellator 292 'Nurmagomedov vs. Henderson' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring . 2023-03-11 . Sherdog . en.
  52. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2023-06-26 . Enrique Barzola vs. Jaylon Bates Announced for Bellator 298 . 2023-06-27 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  53. Web site: Sherdog.com . Bellator 298 'Storley vs. Ward' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring . 2023-08-15 . Sherdog . en.
  54. Web site: Cruz . Guilherme . 2024-03-11 . PFL announces full line-ups for first 3 season events, 8 ex-Bellator champions debut . 2024-04-20 . MMA Fighting . en.
  55. Web site: Meshew . Jed . 2024-04-20 . PFL 3 Results: Magomed Umalatov remains unbeaten, Brendan Loughnane gets back on track with quick win . 2024-04-20 . MMA Fighting . en.
  56. Web site: Timur Khizriev puts on all-around dominant performance in decision win . 2024-08-05 . pflmma.com.
  57. Web site: Cruz . Guilherme . 2024-07-17 . PFL announces new matchups, playoff alternates for August cards . 2024-08-05 . MMA Fighting . en.
  58. Web site: UFC Stats - Featherweight Division. January 21, 2024. UFC.com. ufc.com.
  59. Web site: TUF: Latin America Finale Prelim Breakout Star: Enrique Barzola - MMA Manifesto . Thesportsdaily.com . en . 2017-07-11.
  60. News: UFC: Enrique Barzola y su conmovedora historia que enorgullece al Perú . Peru.com . 2016-11-16 . Perú.com . 2017-07-11 . es.
  61. Web site: Enrique Barzola y su lado más humano . 2016-12-02 . . 2017-07-11.
  62. News: Enrique Barzola: "En UFC me verán más evolucionado contra Bochniak" . Alva . Gino . 2016-08-26 . MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. . 2017-07-11 . es-ES.
  63. Web site: UFC: Enrique Barzola y sus emotivas palabras para celebrar su ingreso a la empresa . 22 November 2015 . 10 August 2019 . es.
  64. Web site: Enrique . Sherdog.com . Sherdog . 2019-12-26.