Table of content
1. Marcio Cruz’s Details
Name | Márcio Ribeiro da Cruz |
Nickname | Pé de Pano |
Born | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
Residence | Tampa, Florida, United States |
Date of Birth | 4/24/1978 |
Weight | 93 kg |
Weight Division | Light Heavyweight Heavyweight |
Last Weigh-In | Absolute Division |
Height | 6’4’’ |
Reach | 82 in |
Foundational Style | BJJ Submission Wrestling Karate |
Disclosed Career Earnings | $30,000 USD |
College / University | N/A |
Rank | 5th-Degree BJJ Black Belt |
Head Coach | Carlos Gracie Jr. |
Last Fight | 2017 IBJJF Pro GP |
Fighting Out Of | Lutz, Florida, United States |
Favorite Technique | Triangle Choke |
Lineage | Carlos Gracie > Hélio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Marcio Cruz |
Team Association | Gracie Elite Team (Previously Gracie Barra) MCBJJ Team Pe de Pano |
2. Marcio Cruz’s Biography
Marcio Cruz is one of the best BJJ competitors under Carlos Gracie Jr. He was the best fighter at Gracie Barra Academy and made a name for himself in the ultra-heavyweight division. After winning multiple championships representing Gracie Barra Academy, Cruz opened up his own academy, Marcio Cruz Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
2.1. Started Martial Arts Training
Cruz had a love for sports even during his childhood, starting his martial arts training by learning karate when he was 12 years old.
2.2. Introduction to BJJ
While living at his grandfather's house, Cruz was introduced to jiu-jitsu. He immediately fell in love with jiu-jitsu and started training at a gym near his grandfather’s house during his early teenage years.
2.3. A Short Break from BJJ
After leaving his grandfather’s house, Cruz could not find another BJJ gym to train at nearby. Despite his love for jiu-jitsu, Cruz had to take a break without knowing when he would be able to resume his BJJ training. To keep his skills sharp, Cruz took up judo.
2.4. Rejoined BJJ
When Cruz turned 17 years old, he got a chance to take up BJJ again. He did not start Jiu-Jitsu training at an early age but he decided to overcome all his shortcomings and joined BJJ as a professional. He worked hard to complete the initial stages of BJJ and overcome his shortcomings. So, he became one of the best competitors of his generation.
2.5. Early BJJ Achievements
Though Cruz started his jiu-jitsu training in 1996, his natural talent allowed him to achieve early success in BJJ competitions. In 1999, He won the IBJJF Pan Championship as a blue belt and the IBJJF World Championship as a purple belt. At the end of 1999, Cruz competed in the Brazilian National Champion. These achievements increased his morale and pushed him to work harder to reach greater heights. Cruz continued with his accomplishments in every color belt division until he became one of the best Gracie Barra competitors.
2.6. Black Belt Promotion
While climbing up the colored belt ranks, Cruz fought in several championships over the course of five years. In 2001, he won in his weight and absolute divisions of the IBJJF World Championship. Afterward, Cruz was given his black belt by Carlos Gracie Jr. Now, Cruz is a fifth-degree black belt.
2.7. Six-Time World Champion
Despite entering the competitive grappling circuit late, Cruz became a six-time world champion. He won in both his weight and the absolute divisions in two championships as a brown belt and a black belt. The other two world titles he won were in his weight division as a purple belt and the absolute division as a black belt. Besides winning three gold medals in world championships, Cruz also won four bronze medals in multiple IBJJF World Championships.
2.8. Eight-Time Pan American Champion and Five-Time Brazilian National Champion
Cruz have also won eight gold medals in the IBJJF Pan Championship and five gold medals in the Brazilian National Championship during his time in the colored and black belt divisions.
2.9. Marcio Cruz Jiu-Jitsu Academy
In 2010, Cruz opened his own academy, Marcio Cruz Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Both he and his wife taught BJJ, Muay Thai, kids' martial arts, and women-only jiu-jitsu classes. There are academies in New Tampa and Carrollwood.
2.10. Top BJJ Competitors Defeated by Marcio Cruz
Famous BJJ fighters that have been defeated by Cruz include Roger Gracie, Marcelo Gracia, Ricco Rodriguez, Gabriel Gonzaga, Mike Van Arsdale, Paulo Filho, Xande Ribeiro, Fabrício Werdum, Saulo Ribeiro, Jeff Monson, Fernando “Margarida” Pontes, and Fernando Augusto.
2.11. Outspoken in His Opinions
Cruz is an outspoken grappler who often speaks his opinions about other fighters, whether they be compliments or criticism. Cruz has talked about Fernando Terere, Jeff Monson, and others. People either love or hate Cruz for his arrogant behavior. But they deny that he is one of the most talented heavyweight champions in BJJ and MMA.
2.12. Mixed Martial Arts Career
Cruz’s MMA debut was at the UFC in 2005. In his first fight, he submitted Keigo Kunihara with a rear naked choke in the second round. Later, Cruz would fight three more UFC matches, but would only win one.
2.13. Nickname
Cruz’s nickname “Pé de Pano” means “Sugarfoot” in Portuguese. It was inspired by a character from the cartoon Woody the Woodpecker. Cruz’s friends from Gracie Barra Academy gave him this nickname due to his tall height and clumsy nature.
2.14. Personal Life
Marcio Cruz has been married to Ariana Cruz since 2009 and has four kids, Aayalah, Clara, Matthew, and Renan.
2.15. Marcio Cruz’s Love for Jiu-Jitsu
Cruz does not have the typical characteristics of a BJJ fighter, like a body full of tattoos, cauliflower ears, and a broad back. However, his fighting style makes him a favorite among BJJ fans. Cruz expressed his love for jiu-jitsu by saying the following,
“I love to fight… If they call me, I fight. I started when I was old but I have a lot of talent for jujitsu. This is my life, my dream to be a fighter. I will keep fighting until my body says stop and I can’t do it anymore.”
“It is a lifestyle, In order to fight, you need to love it. I like to train because when you train, you can forget about your problems.”
3. Marcio Cruz’s Historic Fights
3.1. Marcio Cruz Vs. Roger Gracie
Cruz faced Roger Gracie in the 2003 IBJJF World Championship finals. Gracie started the fight with a pulling guard but failed and was forced to stand up abruptly. Cruz responded by applying his own pulling guard, but failed; so, he instead tried to grapple his opponent’s leg. However, Gracie managed to grab Cruz’s leg and took the top position. All of this happened within the first 40 seconds of the match.
Eventually, Cruz managed to escape Gracie’s grip. Gracie tried to apply another pulling guard but only managed to apply a full guard for a few seconds. Later, Cruz managed to mount Gracie and prevent him from escaping. Getting behind Gracie, Cruz applied a collar choke to try and submit Gracie, but time ran out. Luckily, Cruz won the match by having more points.
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Stage | Weight Class |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | IBJJF World Championship | Roger Gracie | Win | Pts 3x0 | Final | Absolute |
3.2. Marcio Cruz Vs. Ricardo Evangelista
Cruz faced Ricardo Evangelista in the heavyweight division semifinals of the IBJJF Pro League. Cruz struggled to take down Evangelista at the start of the match. After one minute, Cruz applied a pulling guard and grabbed Evangelista’s gi and arm. He tried to apply an armbar, but Evangelista managed to resist.
Evangelista managed to get on top and tried to subdue Cruz. Cruz responded by applying a full guard and maintaining a strong grip around Evangelista’s groin. Evangelista stood up and tried to escape, almost succeeding in the process. Again, Evangelista found himself on top. Cruz first tried to apply an armbar but quickly switched to grappling Evangelista’s leg. Taken by surprise, Evangelista was not ready to counter.
Cruz tried and failed to take Evangelista from behind. He immediately followed up by trapping Evangelista’s right leg in between his legs. Evangelista tried to escape but Cruz also gripped his opponent’s leg with his arms and kept him on the ground. After a short struggle, Evangelista once again secured the top position. Cruz tried to grab Evangelista’s gi several times in a desperate attempt to break free, but Evangelista always managed to break loose. Both fighters scored two points for executing good sweeps. At the end of the fight, Cruz defeated Evangelista due to two penalties.
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Stage | Weight Class |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | IBJJF Pro League | Ricardo Evangelista | Win | Penalties | Semifinal | Heavyweight |
3.3. Marcio Cruz Vs. Denis “Deninho” Mitchel
Cruz faced Denis “Deninho” Mitchel in the 2023 Tampa Open absolute division. Both fighters started the fight by grasping each other's lapels to try to take each other down. Cruz grabbed Mitchel’s sleeve and pulled him onto the floor. Later, Cruz managed to trap Mitchel’s arm with his legs and his head in between his legs. Only a little after minute since the match started, Cruz submitted Mitchel via a triangle choke.
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Stage | Weight Class |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | Tampa Open | Denis “Deninho” Mitchel | Win | Triangle | N/A | Absolute |
4. Marcio Cruz’s Main Achievements
4.1. Marcio Cruz’s Main Achievements in International Tournaments
Year | Event | Belt | Weight Division |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | IBJJF Brazilian Nationals | Blue Belt | Medium Heavyweight |
1999 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Blue Belt | Heavyweight |
1999 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Blue Belt | Absolute |
1999 | IBJJF World Championship | Purple Belt | Heavyweight |
2000 | IBJJF World Championship | Brown Belt | Ultra Heavyweight |
2000 | IBJJF World Championship | Brown Belt | Ultra Heavyweight |
2000 | IBJJF Brazilian Nationals | Black Belt | Super Heavyweight |
2000 | IBJJF Brazilian Nationals | Black Belt | Absolute |
2001 | IBJJF Brazilian Nationals | Black Belt | Ultra Heavyweight |
2002 | IBJJF World Championship | Black Belt | Ultra Heavyweight |
2002 | IBJJF World Championship | Black Belt | Absolute |
2003 | IBJJF World Championship | Black Belt | Absolute |
2003 | ADCC World Championship | Black Belt | 99 kg |
2003 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Black Belt | Ultra Heavyweight |
2003 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Black Belt | Absolute |
2005 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Black Belt | Ultra Heavyweight |
2005 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Black Belt | Absolute |
4.2. Marcio Cruz’s Achievements as a Black Belt
Year | Event | Belt | Position |
---|---|---|---|
2000 | IBJJF Brazilian Nationals | Black Belt | 1st |
2000 | IBJJF Brazilian Nationals | Black Belt | 1st |
2001 | IBJJF Brazilian Nationals | Black Belt | 1st |
2001 | IBJJF Brazilian Nationals | Black Belt | 2nd |
2001 | IBJJF World Championship | Black Belt | 3rd |
2001 | IBJJF World Championship | Black Belt | 3rd |
2002 | IBJJF World Championship | Black Belt | 1st |
2002 | IBJJF World Championship | Black Belt | 1st |
2003 | ADCC World Championship | Black Belt | 1st |
2003 | IBJJF World Championship | Black Belt | 1st |
2003 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Black Belt | 1st |
2003 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Black Belt | 1st |
2005 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Black Belt | 1st |
2005 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Black Belt | 1st |
2012 | IBJJF World Championship | Black Belt | 3rd |
5. Marcio Cruz’s BJJ Professional Record Breakdown
5.1. Marcio Cruz’s Win/Loss Record
66 Matches | 48 Wins | 18 Losses |
---|---|---|
By Points | 22 | 7 |
By Advantages | 0 | 3 |
By Submission | 24 | 6 |
By Decision | 1 | 1 |
By Penalties | 1 | 1 |
By DQ | 0 | 0 |
5.2. Method of Submission
Method | 24 Wins | 6 Losses |
---|---|---|
Armbar | 8 | 1 |
Choke | 3 | 0 |
RNC | 2 | 0 |
Triangle Armbar | 1 | 0 |
Knee on Belly | 1 | 0 |
Triangle | 5 | 1 |
Kneebar | 2 | 0 |
Knee Ride | 1 | 0 |
Guillotine | 1 | 0 |
Footlock | 0 | 1 |
Calf Slicer | 0 | 1 |
Flying Armbar | 0 | 1 |
Submission | 0 | 1 |
6. Marcio Cruz’s BJJ Fight History
Year | Competition | Opponent | W/L | Method | Weight | Stage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001 | ADCC | Van Arsdale | W | Kneebar | O99KG | R1 |
2001 | ADCC | Sean Alvarez | L | Pen | O99KG | 4F |
2001 | ADCC | Ricco Rodriguez | W | Armbar | O99KG | 3RD |
2001 | ADCC | Roberto Traven | W | Points | ABS | R1 |
2001 | ADCC | JJ Machado | L | Footlock | ABS | 4F |
2001 | Brasileiro | Carlos Alberto | W | N/A | O100KG | F |
2001 | Brasileiro | Fernando Terere | L | Pts: 6x5 | ABS | F |
2001 | World Champ. | Marcio Corleta | W | Triangle | ABS | 4F |
2001 | World Champ. | Marcio Corleta | L | Pts: 2x2, Adv | O100KG | SF |
2002 | Manaus Challenge | Fernando Terere | W | Pts: 2x0 | ABS | SPF |
2002 | World Champ. | Unknown | W | Points | O100KG | 4F |
2002 | World Champ. | Felipe Pederneiras | W | Choke | O100KG | SF |
2002 | World Champ. | Luiz Guilherme | W | Knee ride | O100KG | F |
2002 | World Champ. | Marcus Valle | W | Armbar | ABS | R1 |
2002 | World Champ. | Roger Coelho | W | Triangle armbar | ABS | 4F |
2002 | World Champ. | Alexandre Ribeiro | W | Pts: 2x0 | ABS | SF |
2002 | World Champ. | Saulo Ribeiro | W | Pts: 2x0 | ABS | F |
2002 | Team Nationals | Eduardo Telles | W | Pts: 10x2 | O88KG | F |
2003 | Team Nationals | Alex Monsalve | W | Kneebar | O88KG | 4F |
2003 | ADCC Trials | Rodrigo Artilheiro | W | RNC | O99KG | SF |
2003 | ADCC Trials | Fabiano Scherner | W | N/A | O99KG | F |
2003 | ADCC | Mike Whitehead | W | Points | O99KG | R1 |
2003 | ADCC | Jeff Monson | W | Points | O99KG | 4F |
2003 | ADCC | Alex Negao | W | Guillotine | O99KG | SF |
2003 | ADCC | Fabricio Werdum | W | Points | O99KG | F |
2003 | ADCC | Ilir Lafiti | W | Points | ABS | R1 |
2003 | ADCC | Marcelo Garcia | W | Pts: 6x0 | ABS | 4F |
2003 | ADCC | Dean Lister | L | Pts: 3x0 | ABS | SF |
2003 | ADCC | Fabricio Werdum | L | Pts: 6x0 | ABS | 3PLC |
2003 | World Champ. | Beto Ferreira | W | Armbar | ABS | R1 |
2003 | World Champ. | Leo. Montenegro | W | Triangle | ABS | R2 |
2003 | World Champ. | Fabricio Werdum | W | Pts: 7x0 | ABS | SF |
2003 | World Champ. | Roger Gracie | W | Pts: 3x0 | ABS | F |
2003 | Brazil vs USA | Robert Handley | W | Pts: 15 x 0 | O100KG | SPF |
2003 | Pan American | Thiago Cruz | W | Armbar | O100KG | SF |
2003 | Pan American | Todd Margolis | W | Knee on belly | ABS | 4F |
2003 | Pan American | Joao Silva | W | Armbar | ABS | SF |
2003 | Pan American | Fabricio Werdum | W | Armbar | ABS | F |
2004 | Best Fighters | Alexandre Ribeiro | W | Referee Decision | ABS | SPF |
2005 | Pan American | Alexandre Ribeiro | W | Pts: 2x0 | ABS | F |
2005 | ADCC | Miodrag Petkovic | W | RNC | O99KG | R1 |
2005 | ADCC | Daniel Simoes | W | Pts: 2x0 | O99KG | 4F |
2005 | ADCC | Gabriel Napao | L | Calf slicer | O99KG | SF |
2005 | Yamasaki Cup | Fernando Margarida | L | Armbar | ABS | SPF |
2006 | World Cup | Gabriel Gonzaga | L | Points | O100KG | F |
2006 | Team Nationals | Unknown | W | Choke | O88KG | 4F |
2006 | Team Nationals | Andre Galvao | L | Adv | O88KG | F |
2007 | ADCC | J. Pietlainen | W | Armbar | O99KG | R1 |
2007 | ADCC | Marcos Oliveira | W | Points | O99KG | 4F |
2007 | ADCC | Rolles Gracie | L | Points | O99KG | SF |
2007 | ADCC | Darren Andy | W | Points | O99KG | 3PLC |
2009 | ADCC | Anthony Perosh | W | Points | 99KG | R1 |
2009 | ADCC | Vinny Magalhaes | L | Flying armbar | 99KG | 4F |
2010 | World Champ. | Rodrigo Cavaca | L | Triangle | O100KG | 4F |
2011 | World Champ. | Tom Florence | W | Triangle | O100KG | RDS |
2011 | World Champ. | Pega Leve | W | Choke | O100KG | 4F |
2011 | World Champ. | Rodrigo Cavaca | L | Submission | O100KG | SF |
2012 | World Champ. | Daniel Richards | W | Triangle | ABS | R2 |
2012 | World Champ. | Roberto Abreu | L | Pts: 12x4 | ABS | R2 |
2012 | World Champ. | Stephen Hall | W | N/A | O100KG | R2 |
2012 | World Champ. | Antonio Peinado | W | Triangle | O100KG | 4F |
2012 | World Champ. | Marcus Almeida | L | Pts: 4x2 | O100KG | SF |
2013 | IBJJF Pro League | R. Evangelista | W | Pen | O94KG | SF |
2013 | IBJJF Pro League | Gustavo Pires | W | Armbar | O94KG | F |
2015 | UFC Expo | Alexandre Ribeiro | L | Referee Decision | ABS | SPF |
2017 | IBJJF Pro GP | Joao Rocha | L | Pts: 0x0, Adv | ABS | 4F |
8. Marcio Cruz’s MMA Fight Record
8.1. Marcio Cruz’s Professional MMA Record
11 matches | 8 wins | 3 losses |
---|---|---|
By knockout | 2 | 2 |
By submission | 4 | 0 |
By decision | 1 | 1 |
By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
8.2. Submission Methods
Method | 4 Wins | 0 Loss |
---|---|---|
Rear Neck Choke | 2 | 0 |
Triangle Armbar | 1 | 0 |
Inverted Triangle Choke | 1 | 0 |
8.3. MMA Fight History
Date | Event | Opponent | W/L | Method | Round |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | RFA 4: Griffin vs. Escudero | Joe Yager | W | Submission (inverted triangle choke) | 2 |
2011 | Clube da Luta | Glover Teixeira | L | TKO (punches) | 2 |
2010 | Art of Fighting 7 - Payday | David Yost | W | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 |
2009 | Art of Fighting 4 - Damage | Tommy Sauer | W | TKO (punches) | 2 |
2009 | ICF: Breakout | Dan Christison | W | Decision (unanimous) | 3 |
2008 | World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 3 | Choi Mu-Bae | W | Submission (triangle armbar) | 1 |
2007 | IFL: Las Vegas | Rafael Cavalcante | W | DQ (illegal kick) | 3 |
2006 | UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz | Andrei Arlovski | L | KO (punches) | 1 |
2006 | UFC 59: Reality Check | Jeff Monson | L | Decision (split) | 3 |
2006 | UFC 57: Liddell vs. Couture 3 | Frank Mir | W | TKO (punches and elbows) | 1 |
2005 | UFC 55 | Keigo Kunihara | W | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 |
9. Marcio Cruz’s Top Fight Links
Mundial 2003 - Roger Gracie vs Pe de Pano Finals
Marcio Cruz vs. Fabiano Scherner ADCC 2003 BRAZIL Trials Submission
Super Heavyweight Final - Marcio Cruz (Marcio Cruz BJJ) VS Gustavo Pires (Gracie Barra)
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