Haim Gozali


Haim Gozali, also known by the nickname The Israeli Batman, is a retired Israeli mixed martial artist who competed in the welterweight division. He is best known for his tenure in the Bellator. Gozali is also a 4th degree Jiu Jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie.

Background

Gozali served at the Israel Border Police in the Israeli army. Later, Gozali claimed he was stabbed six times while working as a bouncer in an Israeli night club.
Gozali's nickname, "The Israeli Batman", was given to him by Betllator's announcer Mike Goldberg, and is related to his obsession with the legendary superhero. He has "collected enough Batman comics and paraphernalia to fill up a most of a room in his house in Bat Yam" and he "has enough Batman tattoos to cover a good part of his skin, with the bat-sign prominently carried across his chest."
Gozali has one son, Aviv, who is also a mixed martial artist and is currently signed to Bellator.

Mixed martial arts career

In 2010, Gozali produced the MMA event in Israel, that featured multiple UFC veterans. Following the event's success, he later signed with Bellator MMA to work as a promoter and produced 3 events in Israel with the promotion - Bellator 164, Bellator 188 and Bellator 209, which took place at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv.
Gozali is the president of ADCC Israel and the first Israeli to compete in an ADCC event. Gozali is also the head of Renzo Gracie Israel Academy in Bat Yam.
Gozali is the first Israeli MMA fighter to compete in Madison Square Garden.
On November 16, 2017 Gozali scored the second fastest submission in Bellator's Welterweight division, ending the fight 45 seconds into the first round.

Bellator MMA

Gozali faced Ryan Couture in a welterweight bout at Bellator 180 on June 24, 2017. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
After racking three straight victories, Gozali was scheduled to appear on the same event, Bellator MMA in 2019, Bellator 234, with his son Aviv in their native Israel. Haim faced Artur Pronin and won the fight via first-round submission. Haim retired after the fight.

Mixed martial arts record