Marlon Sandro (Nova Uniao)
Marlon Sandro
An amazing Jiu Jitsu and MMA fighter out of Nova Uniao’s camp in Brazil, a man that had to fight his way out of poverty with the help of his team mates and a lot of natural talent.
Marlon Sandro in Delail
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlson Gracie > André Pederneiras > Marlon Sandro
Main Achievements (BJJ/Grappling/MMA):
- Brazilian Nationals Bronze Medallist (2001, Purple Belt);
- Pancrase Champion – MMA
Weight Category in BJJ: Super Featherweight (64Kg-141lbs)
Favourite Position (BJJ): Arm Triangle (Katagatame)
Association/Team: Nova União.
Marlon Sandro’s Biography
Marlon Sandro was born on the 8th of March 1977 in “Morro de Santo Amaro” a famous slum in Rio de Janeiro. Marlon’s poor roots made his rise through the MMA ranks all the more tough, surviving by working more than one job from his early teens, jobs that went from life guard in the local public pool to brick layer in the slums working with his cousins.
It was through his work that he first began training Jiu Jitsu, as Marlon successfully applied to be a life guard at the Upper Academy – an academy run by Andre Pederneiras and the Head Quarters of the famous Nova Uniao. Making a living at Upper ment that Sandro had a chance to work with one of the biggest BJJ teams in the World (Nova Uniao), which he did. He had already competed in Surfing competitions and always practiced Capoeira, so he picked up BJJ with ease.
Soon he started training for MMA, a sport where he could earn some extra cash for himself and his family. Unfortunately, starting an MMA career in Brazil is not an easy task, and Marlon tasted the bad side of the business very early in his career, with promoters failing to pay him his fees after the competitions. His bad luck took it’s tow, so much that Marlon decided to stop training in order to work and support his family.
Luckily, through his mentor Andre Pederneiras (Nova Uniao’s strongman) managed to pull Marlon Sandro back to the mats and competitions. Marlon’s new run started off well, fighting for the Shooto organization in Brazil and later being invited by the Pancrase organization to compete for them where he achieved their Championship Belt and the title of Pancrase Featherweight King.
Marlon Sandro Highlight
