Marcelo grew up in Rio de Janeiro and started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 1991, at Gracie Barra Gym with Carlos Gracie Junior. Carlos is the son of Carlos Gracie Senior, the original founder of the fighting style now known worldwide as Gracie “Brazilian” Jiu Jitsu.
Marcelo began his path to the black belt among the best, studying at the multi world champion Gracie Barra Gym; home to Brazil’s greatest BJJ fighters. He went on to win the Pan American Championships and completed his University degree in Business Administration, after which he went on a three-month trip to Australia to improve his English.
During his stay, he met experts in other martial arts and was invited to teach in the Blue Mountains which gave him the idea of setting up his own school in Australia. As a result, Marcelo decided to stay in Sydney to try and make BJJ as big in Australia as in it is in Brazil. He set up the Gracie Barra Sydney School with the support of Master Carlos Gracie Jr.
Since arriving in Australia, Prof. Marcelo Rezende has been working hard on his goal of popularising BJJ in Australia and New Zealand. He fought the first black belt match in Australia and New Zealand. In addition, he has also opened numerous affiliated branches in both countries, given seminars, and has developed new safer arrest procedures for and with the NSW police.
Marcelo has also taught grappling techniques to top rugby teams like the Sydney Roosters and ACT Brumbies. Currently he has been training the Manly Sea Eagles Rugby League for over a year and helped them to win the Premiership 2008 by adapting Jiu Jitsu techniques to the game of rugby.
Marcelo is also the founder and director of the NSW Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation and coach for many champions in Jiu Jitsu, Submission Wrestling and Mixed Martial Arts at International standard. One of his students is the famous fighter Mark Hunt, the K1 Kickboxing Grand Prix Champion who also fought in Mixed Martial Arts with Pride FC in Japan including victories over super stars such as Wanderlei Silva and Mirko Crocop.
