Fernando Gonzalez (fighter)

Fernando Esparza Gonzalez (born September 15, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2003, Gonzalez has also competed for the WEC, King of the Cage, Bellator MMA, Absolute Championship Akhmat, and Strikeforce. Also a successful competitor in Muay Thai, Gonzalez is the former WBC National Muay Thai Cruiserweight Champion.

Background
Born in Escondido, California, Gonzalez began boxing at the age of five. During high school, Gonzalez competed in football and began training in mixed martial arts after graduating at the age of 19.

Early career: WEC
Gonzalez made his MMA and WEC debut against Mike Castillo on October 17, 2003, at WEC 8. He was victorious via first-round TKO.

After going 7–3 in his next ten bouts, Gonzalez returned to the promotion when he faced Jimmy Dexter at WEC 20, defeating him via rear-naked choke submission.

He next faced Alex Stiebling at WEC 23 on August 17, 2006. He won the fight via TKO due to a doctor stoppage in the first round.

Gonzalez faced Brendan Seguin at WEC 25 on January 20, 2007. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

In what would be his last fight for the promotion, Gonzalez faced Hiromitsu Miura at WEC 29 on August 5, 2007. He lost the fight via submission due to punches in the second round.

Strikeforce
Gonzalez made his Strikeforce debut at Strikeforce: Melendez vs. Masvidal on December 17, 2011. He faced Eddie Mendez and lost via split decision.

Bellator MMA
Gonzalez made his Bellator debut on July 25, 2014, when he faced Bellator season 6 welterweight tournament winner Karl Amoussou at Bellator 122. Despite coming in as an underdog, Gonzalez pulled off the upset, winning via unanimous decision.

In his second appearance for Bellator, Gonzalez was expected to face Justin Baesman at Bellator 127 on October 3, 2014. However, Karo Parisyan's opponent, Marius Žaromskis, was removed from their scheduled bout on the same card, so Gonzalez stepped in as a replacement. He won the fight via TKO in the first round. In his post-fight drug test, Gonzalez tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). As a result, Gonzalez was suspended for 30 days in the state of California by the CSAC and fined $315.

Gonzalez faced Marius Žaromskis at Bellator 132 on January 16, 2015. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Gonzalez next faced Curtis Millender at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015. He won the fight via submission in the third round, bringing his Bellator record to 4–0. After the fight it was revealed by the CSAC that Gonzalez tested positive for marijuana; his second violation while with the promotion.

On March 4, 2016, Gonzalez fought Gilbert Smith at Bellator 151. He won the fight by split decision.

Gonzalez fought Michael Page on November 19, 2016, at Bellator 165. He lost the fight via split decision.

After his first loss in the promotion, Gonzalez was scheduled to face former Bellator Welterweight Champion, Andrey Koreshkov, at Bellator 174 on March 3, 2017. However, an injury forced Koreshkov out of the bout. Instead, Gonzalez faced Brandon Girtz at the event and won via unanimous decision.

Gonzalez faced Brennan Ward at Bellator 182 on August 25, 2017. Originally a catchweight of 178 pounds, Gonzalez missed weight and came in at 180 pounds. He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the third round.

Gonzalez faced Lorenz Larkin in a catchweight bout at Bellator 193 on January 26, 2018. Gonzalez missed weight for the third time in a row. After surviving a late flurry of strikes in the third round, Gonzalez lost the fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Post-Bellator
Gonzalez faced Gabriel Checco on March 9, 2019 at California Xtreme Fighting (CXF 17) and won by split decision.

Gonzalez faced Elias Silvério on June 8, 2019 at ACA 96 on and lost by unanimous decision.

Gonzalez faced Abubakar Vagaev on October 4, 2019 at ACA 100 and lost by unanimous decision.

Gonzalez faced Ty Freeman on May 29, 2021 at J Street Fights 1 and won by knockout in the third round.

Gonzalez faced Sidiah Parker on August 28, 2021 at NWFA 1: Retribution and lost by unanimous decision.

Gonzalez faced Maki Pitolo on March 4, 2022 at Tuff-N-Uff 127 and lost by unanimous decision.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship
Gonzalez made his debut against Vincent Familari in a middleweight bout at BKFC: Knucklemania IV on April 27, 2024. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

Gonzalez was scheduled to face Kyle McElroy at BKFC Fight Night: Pechanga on July 12, 2024. McElroy was replaced by Rodney Thomas for unknown reasons. Gonzalez won the bout by unanimous decision.

Personal life
Gonzalez and his wife have children.

Kickboxing record

 * - bgcolor= #FFBBBB
 * 2015-09-19 || Loss ||align=left| Paul Daley || Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1 || San Jose, California, US || Decision (unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 || 0–1
 * - bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
 * 2010-07-3 || Win ||align=left|🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Smith Wellington ||  Extreme Brawling||  USA  || Decision (unanimous)|| 3||
 * colspan=9 | Legend:
 * - bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
 * 2010-07-3 || Win ||align=left|🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Smith Wellington ||  Extreme Brawling||  USA  || Decision (unanimous)|| 3||
 * colspan=9 | Legend:
 * colspan=9 | Legend:
 * colspan=9 | Legend: