Other names Pe de Pano Role Mixed martial artist Name Marcio Cruz | Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Nationality Brazilian Wins by knockout 2 | |
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Weight 206 lb (93 kg; 14.7 st) Movies UFC 55, UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz 2, UFC 59: Reality Check, UFC 57: Couture vs. Liddell 3, UFC 56: Full Force | ||
Tampa bjj marcio cruz pe de pano highlights
Marcio Ribeiro da Cruz (born April 24, 1978 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and mixed martial artist. In Jiu-Jitsu, he is a 4th degree black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr. and is a six-time IBJJF Mundials World Champion, five-time IBJJF Brazilian Nationals Champion, eight-time IBJJF Pan-American Champion and the 2003 ADCC World Champion. His nickname "Pé de Pano" was given to him by his friends at the Gracie Barra academy in Rio and it is the Portuguese version of the name of Woody Woodpecker's horse, SugarFoot. He competed in the UFC and also had a one fight stint as an alternate for the New York Pitbulls of the International Fight League.
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Bjj tampa marcio cruz pe de pano world championship documentary 2003
Background
Cruz was born in Rio de Janeiro and had a brief stint with Karate when he was 12 years old before being introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu by a friend. Although he had wanted to begin training in the sport immediately, due to the lack of a nearby gym, he began learning judo. It was not until the age of 17 that Cruz began his official training in jiu-jitsu and would go on to win his first major title in only three years.
Grappling credentials
Cruz is a six-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, five-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu National Champion, eight-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Pan-American Champion and the 2003 ADCC World Champion. People he has defeated include: Ricco Rodriguez, Mike Van Arsdale, Roger Gracie, Gabriel Gonzaga, Paulo Filho, Fabrício Werdum, Xande Ribeiro, Marcelo Garcia, Saulo Ribeiro, Fernando Augusto, Jeff Monson, and Fernado "Margarida" Pontes. Since he started his mixed martial arts career, he has been training MMA with Roberto “Gordo” Correa and he fights under the Gracie Fusion team.
Mixed martial arts career
As a professional MMA fighter, Cruz has fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, defeating former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir by TKO at UFC 57. He also holds a win over Keigo Kunihara at UFC 55. He lost a split decision to Jeff Monson, whom he had previously defeated twice in grappling tournaments, at UFC 59. Cruz' second MMA loss was to Andrei Arlovski at UFC 66, in December 2006, by first round knockout.
On June 2007 in the IFL he defeated Rafael Feijao by disqualification when Feijao used an illegal kick 1:18 before the end of the 3rd and final round. In June 2008 Cruz defeated Mu Bae Choi at Sengoku 3 via submission (triangle armbar). In April 2009 he defeated UFC veteran Dan Christison by unanimous decision.
On August 22, 2009, he beat Tom Sauer via TKO in the second round. With this victory he won the World Fighting Organization Heavyweight Championship. He successfully defended his belt by submitting Dave Yost with a Rear Naked Choke in the first round on April 3, 2010.
Cruz had to withdraw from Abu Dhabi Fighting Championship with a spinal injury in May 2010.
After 15 months of inactivity, Cruz faced Glover Teixeira at Clube da Luta on July 20, 2011 losing via TKO (punches) at 4:21 in the second round. Cruz weighed in at an out-of-shape 256-pounds.
Cruz was scheduled to make his Light Heavyweight debut against fellow UFC veteran Gilbert Yvel on November 2, 2012 at Resurrection Fighting Alliance 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, Yvel was later forced to pull out of the bout due to an injury. Cruz ended up facing Joe Yager at the event and won the fight by submission.
Personal life
Marcio Cruz is a christian, has been married since 2009 to Ariana Cruz and has 3 kids named, Renan, Matthew and Clara. Currently Marcio Cruz runs a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Wesley Chapel, Florida.