Marcio Cruz “Pe de Pano”

Marcio Cruz, also known by his nickname “Pe de Pano” is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Carlos Gracie Junior who is regarded by many as one of the best ultra-heavyweight competitors in the history of the sport. During his heyday, in the early 2000s, Mario Cruz was one of the biggest stars of the Gracie Barra Academy, conquering numerous titles on the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) circuit, including world titles in 2002 and 2003. Pe de Pano fought also in mixed martial arts, reaching the pinnacle of cage fighting by competing in the UFC.

Marcio Cruz Jiu Jitsu

Full Name: Márcio Ribeiro da Cruz

Nickname: The name Pé de Pano is the name for “Sugarfoot”, the character from the 80´s cartoon show “Woody the Woodpecker” in the Portuguese-translated version of the show. Márcio Cruz was called this due to his lanky and somewhat clumsy nature, particularly as a teenager.

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Marcio Cruz

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• 1st Place ADCC World Championship (2003)
• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2002**, 2003*)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2003**, 2005**)
• 1st Place IBJJF Brazilian Nationals (2000**, 2001)
• 2nd Place IBJJF Brazilian Nationals (2001*)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2001**, 2012)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

• 1st Place IBJJF World Championship (1999 purple)
• 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (1999** blue)
• 1st Place IBJJF Brazilian Nationals (1998 blue)
• 2nd Place IBJJF Brazilian Nationals (1999 brown)
• 3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (1998 blue)

* Absolute
** Weight and Absolute

Favorite Technique: Triangle Choke

Weight Division: Super-heavy Weight

Team/Association: Gracie Elite Team (Formerly Gracie Barra)

Marcio Cruz “Pe de Pano” Biography

Marcio Cruz was born on the 24th of April, 1978 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Martial arts became a part of Cruz’ life when he was 12, during a short-lived experience with karate. Later in his life, while living at his grandfathers’ house as a teenager, Márcio was introduced to Jiu-Jitsu. Although he loved the sport from the get-go, once he left his grandparents’ home, he could not find another BJJ gym close by, as such he joined a Judo class.

It was in 1996 that 17-year-old Marcio managed to return to jiu-jitsu. Although often seen as an older age to make it at a professional level in this sport, Cruz placed all his efforts on his training and he reaped the rewards of his labor.

All that work combined with the raw talent running through Marcio’s veins, helped him achieve success very fast winning his first major title, the Pan American Championship in 1999 as a blue belt, followed by a World Championship in the same year this time in the Purple Belt Division. His incredible colored belt career did not stop here as the Team GB athlete went on to win the Brazilian National Championship as a brown belt at the end of that year, making this path to black belt one of the fastest recorded at the time (Marcio Cruz received his black belt in 2001).

In 2001 Marcio Cruz won the World Championships at his weight and the absolute divisions, submitting everyone on his path, being given his black belt there and then by “Carlinhos” Gracie.

Marcio Cruz has never been known to be a man that keeps his thoughts to himself. Cocky and somewhat arrogant he is one of those fighters you either love or hate and his antics against Jeff Monson, Terere and many others are well documented and have been the subject of heated forum discussions throughout the internet. Although his attitude might have been questioned by some, no one can deny he is one of the most gifted fighters the BJJ world has ever produced. Even though he may not look like the stereotypical fighter with the cauliflower ears, broad back, and tattoos, his deceiving physique and his guard is game have made him a true master of the art and a delight to watch by any BJJ lover.