Jorge and Zoila Gurgel enjoying married life, eyeing MMA greatness

In mixed martial arts, it's almost a job requirement for fighters to spend countless hours away from their families, and in some cases depart their homes in order to seek the proper instruction needed to be successful.

But Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Jorge Gurgel (14-7) and his wife Zoila (11-1) no longer have to seek out guidance, as they now have each other.

Earlier this year, the pair exchanged vows in a private ceremony, and Jorge recently told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) he's happier than ever.

As for Zoila, her husband now serves as her head coach, and she feels that they are living the ideal life.

"Everything's covered now," Zoila said. "I came from a place that I had to look to find everything I needed. Now, I have everything in one place, so to bring all that together, I'm more than excited to start learning more and to get to the best of my ability.

"Everything is perfect, and now it's getting to the top and staying up there."

In March, the couple accomplished a rare feat by earning victories on the same night. Zoila defeated Karina Hallinan by decision at Bellator 35, and Jorge scored a swift 44-second submission win over Billy Vaughan at "Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson."

"I think it was the greatest day," Jorge said. "She's really the hero of the whole story because all the cornermen stayed with me, and she had to leave and go by herself to California. She had all new cornermen that never coached her in the camp, and she went in there and pulled out the victory.

"It turned out to be a great start to the year for us."

The couple's passion for the sport runs deep, and the say their marriage is improving every aspect of their lives and careers, especially once they step inside of the cage.

"I think it makes the passion for everything better," Zoila said. "Love makes everything better, so when it comes to what we do and the passion we have for the sport, it brings the best out of both us. I believe it was great for both of us to of found each other."

"We have a rule at the house," Jorge explained. "We say, 'I'm the boss, but she comes first.'

"I know how to train for a fight, but my main goal is to make sure she's getting the best
training she can, the best nutrition she can, the best information, and she's evolving as fast as she can."

Fittingly, the Jorge Gurgel MMA Academy in Cincinnati is where the couple calls home for training, and for Jorge, he believes his wife is destined to reach the sports elite.

"I want her to be ranked pound-for-pound," Jorge said. "Before her career's over, no one's going to touch her at 115, 120, or 125 pounds."