He is perhaps best known for his upset head-kick knockout of Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 70, which earned him a heavyweight title shot.

Gonzaga was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and began training in judo when he was 14 years old.

[9] Gonzaga made his professional MMA debut on 4 April 2003 in Santos, Brazil against Cicero Costa, winning via submission due to punches in the first round.

However, weeks before the fight, his pregnant wife started having complications with her pregnancy and lost one of the twins she was carrying.

Gonzaga's obligations to his wife during her high risk pregnancy left him unable to train properly.

Gonzaga returned to the Octagon to face the only man that had beaten him prior to the Couture fight, Fabrício Werdum, at UFC 80, losing once again via TKO in the second round.

The fight, however, was controversial, as Gonzaga landed an illegal low blow that hurt Tuchsherer very badly.

[16] After being released by the UFC, Gonzaga stated that he would only compete in Brazilian jiu-jitsu but expressed interest in returning to MMA.

[17][18] Gonzaga fought Porter on 8 October where he submitted him with an arm-triangle choke in the third round, winning the Reality Fighting Heavyweight Championship.

Gonzaga faced Ben Rothwell on 19 January 2013 at UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Bisping[26] He won the fight via submission in the second round.

[27] Gonzaga faced Dave Herman on 6 July 2013 at UFC 162, replacing Shane del Rosario who had to withdraw from the bout due to an injury.

Gonzaga faced returning veteran Mirko Cro Cop in a rematch on 11 April 2015 at UFC Fight Night 64.

Gonzaga later stated that he wasn't ready for all 5 rounds, and that he was surprised by Cro Cop's strength and improved elbows.

[38] However, Magomedov was forced out of the bout in early March due to injury and replaced by Derrick Lewis.

[43] On August 28, 2019, it was announced that Gonzaga would make his promotional debut headlining BKFC 8 against fellow UFC veteran Antônio Silva on October 19, 2019.