Mário Sperry

Mário Sperry (b. 1966), often called “The Zen Machine,” was one of the earliest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stars to transition successfully into MMA and no-gi competition. A three-time ADCC champion, he became a symbol of the crossover between traditional gi BJJ and the emerging world of mixed martial arts.

Sperry was also instrumental in the formation of Brazilian Top Team (BTT), which became one of the leading MMA and grappling teams of the early 2000s. His pioneering efforts helped set the stage for professional grappling and MMA athletes alike.