Cruz has two absolute world championships and one ADCC title. Gonzaga was the best heavyweight in BJJ in 2004, and fought for the heavyweight UFC belt in 2007 against Randy Couture.

The other fights announced are Megaton Diaz vs. Helio Moreira, Alexandre Freitas vs. Baret Yoshida and Kenny Florian vs. Vitor Ribeiro.

Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship Super Fight #4 Announcement: Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz vs. Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga #UAEJJF #UAEJJ #ADWPJJC #ADWPJJC17 #WPJJC #WPJJC17 #JiuJitsu #BJJ #AbuDhabi #UAE

A post shared by Mohammed Jassim Al Housani (@mjalhousani) on Mar 3, 2017 at 9:55am PST

Pe de Pano promotes first American black belt, Michael Sergi. Photo: Personal Archive

Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz promoted his on of his students to black belt over the weekend of April 26 – 27 at the 2014 IBJJF Boca Raton Open in Florida. This is the first American he has promoted to black belt

The student, Michael Sergi of GMA Serg BJJ was given his black belt after winning gold in the brown belt masters 2 medium-heavy division.

He says, “I was happy about my performance and winning gold, but I was overwhelmed with joy when Marcio wrapped the black belt around my waist on the podium. I am proud to achieve the belt and even more proud that Marcio trusted me enough to make me his black belt. I know he has high expectations. I have a lot more work to do now.”

Learn more about this new black belt and his GMA academy Serg BJJ in Savannah, GA, visit www.sergbjj.com

Pé de Pano in the ring, in photo by Susumu Nagao.

Two-time absolute world champion Marcio “Pé de Pano” Cruz exited the 2010 Worlds after having a new experience.

Not with a medal, as he was used to, but succumbing to a triangle choke submission at the hands of new ultraheavweight champion Rodrigo Cavaca.

GRACIEMAG.com made contact with Pé to find out what lessons he derived from his participation at the World Championship in Long Beach. His first answer, though, was good-humored as always.

“The 2010 Worlds? I couldn’t really like it much, could I?” he said cackling.

Then, the best in the world in 2002 and 2003 addressed the issue seriously. “Look, I feel Jiu-Jitsu has really become a lot more professional. But, as far as technique goes, Roger (Gracie) was the only one to surprise me,” said Pé in assessment.

“Of course, a lot of people sure fought well. As far as technical level in Jiu-Jitsu, though, only Roger is a cut above the rest,” he explains.

With a new MMA outing scheduled, the owner of the Art of Fighting belt guarantees he won’t be dropping the gi after the Worlds.

“I’m thinking about competing in the gi again. I just have to prepare for it next time. I’d entered other championships without training before and it all worked out. I’ve become champion without training before, right? Now I have to train more so as to put up a fight.
But I’ll appear again,” guarantees Pé, who has an MMA record of 7 wins and 2 losses.

And finally he reveals the lesson learnt.

“What I learned is that I’m getting old,” says Pé de Pano in closing, laughing.

For more, check out www.marciocruzbjj.com.

Roger on Tarsis's back in absolute. Photo: Ivan Trindade

Before the 2010 World Championship  the question was whether there would be a three-time absolute Jiu-Jitsu world champion. The first to conquer a second absolute world title was Amaury Bitetti. Then came Rodrigo Comprido, Márcio Pé de Pano, Ronaldo Jacaré, Xande Ribeiro and Roger Gracie.

Bitetti retired, Comprido these days is more dedicated to his career as a coach and Jacaré is focused on MMA. Pé de Pano competed at the worlds, but kept out of the absolute. Hence the battle was between Roger and Xande. The Gracie got the better of it, seeing Xande defeated by his teammate Rômulo Barral in the semifinal. Rominho then went on to get injured in his weight group, and Roger didn’t need to compete in the decider, which takes no luster off his conquest.

He’s the best competitor of all times” Pé de Pano

Photo: Ivan Trindade

Watching closely his old rival, two-time champion Ronaldo Jacaré spares no praise.

“I felt he was perfect, beat everybody with skill to spare. He showed he’s the current number 1 in Jiu-Jitsu,” Jaca remarked.

Márcio “Pé de Pano” Cruz was also impressed by Gracie’s performance at the Worlds.

“It’s easy to talk about Roger’s current phase because he leaves no room for nay saying. Truth is, to me he’s the best of all times. I was impressed by how much he’s evolved. His is simple Jiu-Jitsu, but it’s way effective. From what I saw there, there’s no stopping him. Like I said, he’s the best of all times.

The first to notch two absolute titles, in 1997, Bitetti was finally outdone. Nothing he’s bothered about.

“I feel Roger represents this record really well. He’s someone with such size and technique that it will be really tough for anyone to stop him. I think after his third will come a fourth, a fifth… He has what it takes to win and represent the Gracie family,” he says in praise.

Two of them, Roger and Xande, are going there to win! The third, Márcio “Pé de Pano” Cruz, is going to have fun, but he’s not giving anyone an easy time.

The holder of the absolute black belt title in 2002 and 2003 will be back on Jiu-Jitsu’s main stage after seven years.

Pé in 2003

A long-limbed guard player full of tricks and verbage, Pé answered the GRACIEMAG at the Worlds Blog’s call in this exclusive interview.

The Carioca living in Florida showed he’s in fine form.

Click here or on the image to have fun with Pé de Pano!

Also to appear in the Emirates, Sergei Kharitonov will face off with Marcio “Pe de Pano” Cruz, while Jeff Monson takes on Shamil Abdurahimov in the first of three stages. The promoters’ intention is to hold 12 events, and a middleweight GP is in the works.

ADFC 1
ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, UAE
May 14, 2010

GP – 1^st Stage

Johan Romming vs Marcos Oliveira
Przemyslaw Mysiala vs Neil Wain
Sergei Kharitonov vs Marcio Cruz
Shamil Abdurahimov vs Jeff Monson

Other bouts

Hassan Al Rumaithi vs Massimiliano Pecchia
Abdallah Abou Hamdan vs Loic Marty
Tam Khan vs Evasio D’onofrio
Malik Omarov vs Arzan Quasid
Aymen Ben Ali vs Michele Mirabella
Miaco Reiter vs Frank Slater

Gogo in action at Brazil Fight. Photo: Victor Gruzman

Arthur Gogo, a fighter who has been excelling in Brazilian domestic MMA with wins over beasts of the caliber of Rousimar Toquinho, will see action in the U.S. this Saturday. The Jiu-Jitsu black belt will fight on the same card as fellow Gracie Fusion member and absolute world champion Marcio Pé de Pano, who will defend his heavyweight belt in the Art of Fighting 7 event, in Florida.

Gogo is coming off a win at Brazil Fight, on March 13. The fighter was called up on short notice and agreed to the challenge.

“I returned to training on Monday and they asked whether I wanted to fight. It’s my return to international MMA. Pe de Pano is working hard at his academy here in Florida, and we’ll be there together. I will face the CT Turner, who comes from a muay thai background,” he says.

Pe de Pano will have Dave Yost ahead of him.

Stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com for the results.

This phase of the rivalry took place at the 2001 Brazilian National Championship, in the black belt absolute division. Get ready for sparks flying in a great match.