Márcio “Pé de Pano” Cruz

Márcio Cruz got the nickname Pé de Pano because of his lanky frame, after a cartoon character. Standing 1.93 m, he became one of the most feared heavyweights at the turn of the century. In 2000, still a brown belt, he won the Worlds at super-heavyweight and in the open class for Gracie Barra.

He received his black belt from Carlos Gracie Jr. in 2001 and reached the Worlds podium that same year, with bronze at ultra-heavyweight and in the open class. In 2002 he won both: he beat Luiz Guilherme in the ultra-heavyweight final and Saulo Ribeiro 2-0 in the open class final. In 2003 he won the open class again, getting past Fabrício Werdum 7-0 in the semifinal and Roger Gracie 3-0 in the final, in a match between teammates.

Also in 2003 he won ADCC gold in the over 99 kg division, with wins over Marcelo Garcia and Jeff Monson. In 2005 he won the Pans at ultra-heavyweight and in the open class.

In MMA he fought in the UFC in 2005 and 2006 and beat Frank Mir by TKO at UFC 57. He closed his MMA career with eight wins and three losses. He runs his own academy in Tampa, Florida. In 2010, on his return to competition, he told GracieMag: “Jiu-Jitsu’s like riding a bicycle, once you learn it you never forget!”