Marlon Sandro (born March 8, 1977) is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist. He has competed for Bellator, Pancrase, Shooto, and World Victory Road. He is the former King of Pancrase Featherweight Champion and former Sengoku Featherweight Champion.

Marlon Sandro
Born (1977-03-08) March 8, 1977 (age 47)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other namesThe Gladiator
ResidenceRio de Janeiro, Brazil
NationalityBrazilian
Height1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st)
DivisionFeatherweight
Reach67 in (170 cm)
Fighting out ofCuritiba, Brazil
TeamNova União (former)
RankSecond degree Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active2006–2017
Mixed martial arts record
Total38
Wins29
By knockout9
By submission8
By decision12
Losses7
By knockout2
By decision5
Draws2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background edit

Sandro is from Morro de Santo Amaro, a famous slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Growing up poor, Sandro worked several jobs as a teenager. Before being introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Sandro had trained in Capoeira and also competed in surfing.[1] [2]

Mixed martial arts career edit

Early career edit

Sandro made his professional MMA debut in November 2004. He fought primarily in his native Brazil, amassing an undefeated streak of 12–0 before debuting for the World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku promotion.

King of Pancrase edit

Sandro made his Pancrase debut at Pancrase Rising 9 against Daiki Hata. He won by unanimous decision.

Sandro next fought Miki Shida at Pancrase: Shining 2. He won by KO.

In his next fight Sandro fought for the vacant King of Pancrase Featherweight Championship against Masaya Takita. He won via unanimous decision.

Sengoku edit

Sandro participated in World Victory Road's Sengoku Featherweight Championship Tournament, losing by a "must decide" decision in the semi-finals to judo specialist and former UFC veteran Michihiro Omigawa. Scores were 30–30, 30–30, 30–29 Sandro (i.e. majority draw) but the judges with draws selected Omigawa in a "must decide" decision, giving him the "must decide split decision" 2–1.

His challenged Sengoku Featherweight Champion, Masanori Kanehara at World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 13.[3] Sandro won via KO 38 seconds into the first round. Kanehara was sent out of the ring in a stretcher. After the fight Sandro was ranked the No. 5 Featherweight in the world by Sherdog.[4] On a side note, Marlon weighted 166 lbs one week before the fight.

Sandro lost the Sengoku Featherweight Championship to Hatsu Hioki at World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight on December 30, 2010, by unanimous decision (49–47, 48–47, 48–47).[5] Hioki dominated nearly every round of the fight, and Sandro was given a yellow card in the first round. Sandro was nearly submitted several times in the final round by a chicken wing armlock, then by an armbar.

Bellator Fighting Championships edit

On February 23, it was announced Sandro had signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator Fighting Championships, and will be competing in their Season Four Tournament fights.[6] Sandro made his debut with the promotion at Bellator 46 against Genair da Silva in his quarterfinal match of the Bellator Fighting Championships: 2011 Summer Series Featherweight Tournament. While a seemingly clear-cut decision win, Sandro won the fight on only two scorecards (via 30–27 and 29–28 scores). A third judge scored the bout 29–28 for da Silva, which resulted in a split decision victory for Sandro.

Sandro faced Nazareno Malegarie in the semifinals at Bellator 47. He dominated Malegarie, and won the fight via unanimous decision.

Sandro fought Pat Curran at Bellator 48 in the finals of the tournament. After controlling the fight with his superior striking, Sandro lost via head kick KO late in the second round.

Sandro rebounded from the first KO loss of his career by submitting fellow Brazilian Rafael Dias in the first round at Bellator 58.

In March 2012, Sandro entered the Bellator Season Six Featherweight Tournament, where he defeated Roberto Vargas by submission in the first round. In the semifinals at Bellator 64, Sandro defeated Alexandre Bezerra via split decision. Sandro faced Daniel Mason-Straus in the tournament finals at Bellator 68. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Sandro faced TUF 14 contestant Dustin Neace on November 16, 2012, at Bellator 81. Sandro won the fight via technical submission due to a rear-naked choke in the first round.[7]

Sandro then participated in the Bellator Season Eight Featherweight Tournament at Bellator 88 on February 7, 2013, he faced Akop Stepanyan in the quarterfinal round. Sandro won the fight via majority decision.[8] In the semifinal, Sandro faced Magomedrasul Khasbulaev at Bellator 92 and lost via third-round TKO.[9]

Return To Pancrase edit

After a five-year absence, the former King of Pancrase Featherweight Champion returns at Pancrase 252: 20th Anniversary. Sandro took on Yojiro Uchimura. The fight went to a draw.[10]

Next Sandro fought the current King of Pancrase Lightweight Champion in a Featherweight bout in the main event of Pancrase 266, but came up short losing by split decision.

Bellator return edit

On May 9, 2014, over a year since his last fight in Bellator, Sandro faced Chris Horodecki at Bellator 119 in Ontario, Canada.[11] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Following the victory in his Bellator return, he had a mix of wins, losses, and even a draw in the following years. In 2015, Sandro faced Isao Kobayashi in Pancrase 266, where he pulled off a victory in a split decision. Later in the year, he had a match with Soo Chul Kim in Road FC 025, which ended in a unanimous draw. Despite this setback, Sandro bounced back with a win against Wanderson Michel in November 2015 during Shooto Brasil 59: Bahia. The victory was marked by a submission due to Michel's shoulder injury.

In 2016, Sandro experienced a significant loss against Mu Gyeom Choi via unanimous decision at Road FC 029, a fight that was for the ROAD FC Featherweight Championship. Despite this loss, Sandro finished the year on a positive note, defeating Koyomi Matsushima by TKO in Pancrase 283.

Sandro's winning streak continued into 2017, where he beat Diego Arturo Huerto Jauregui with an arm-triangle choke submission in Shooto Brazil 74. After this fight, Sandro's career was put on hold due to legal troubles; he was imprisoned due to domestic violence charges against his then-fiance. This led to a lengthy hiatus from his MMA career.

After serving a six- layoff, Sandro made a remarkable comeback to the ring in April 2023. Despite being 46 years old, he faced Alexandre Castro in Shooto Brazil 117 and won the bout, knocking out Castro with a front kick in the first round. This victory marked a significant moment in Sandro's career, signaling his return to MMA after overcoming personal and legal challenges.[12]

Championships and accomplishments edit

Mixed martial arts record edit

Professional record breakdown
38 matches 29 wins 7 losses
By knockout 9 2
By submission 8 0
By decision 12 5
Draws 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 29–7–2 Alexandre Castro KO (front kick to head) Shooto Brasil 117 April 28, 2023 1 2:38 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 28–7–2 Diego Arturo Huerto Jauregui Submission (arm-triangle choke) Shooto Brazil 74 August 27, 2017 1 1:56 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 27–7–2 Koyomi Matsushima TKO (elbows and punches) Pancrase 283 December 18, 2016 1 2:51 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 26–7–2 Mu Gyeom Choi Decision (unanimous) Road FC 029 March 12, 2016 3 5:00 Wonju, South Korea For the ROAD FC Featherweight Championship.
Win 26–6–2 Wanderson Michel Submission (shoulder injury) Shooto Brasil 59: Bahia November 13, 2015 1 1:19 Bahia, Brazil
Draw 24–6–2 Soo Chul Kim Draw (unanimous) Road FC 025 August 22, 2015 3 5:00 Wonju, South Korea
Loss 25–6–1 Isao Kobayashi Decision (split) Pancrase 266 April 26, 2015 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 25–5–1 Chris Horodecki Decision (unanimous) Bellator 119 May 9, 2014 3 5:00 Rama, Ontario Canada
Draw 24–5–1 Yojiro Uchimura Draw (unanimous) Pancrase 252: 20th Anniversary September 29, 2013 3 5:00 Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Loss 24–5 Magomedrasul Khasbulaev TKO (punches) Bellator 92 March 7, 2013 3 2:38 Temecula, California, United States Bellator Season Eight Featherweight Tournament Semifinal
Win 24–4 Akop Stepanyan Decision (majority) Bellator 88 February 7, 2013 3 5:00 Duluth, Georgia, United States Bellator Season Eight Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 23–4 Dustin Neace Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 81 November 16, 2012 1 2:05 Kingston, Rhode Island, United States
Loss 22–4 Daniel Mason-Straus Decision (unanimous) Bellator 68 May 11, 2012 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Bellator Season Six Featherweight Tournament Final.
Win 22–3 Alexandre Bezerra Decision (split) Bellator 64 April 6, 2012 3 5:00 Windsor, Ontario, Canada Bellator Season Six Featherweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 21–3 Roberto Vargas Submission (rear-naked choke) Bellator 60 March 9, 2012 1 3:35 Hammond, Indiana, United States Bellator Season Six Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win 20–3 Rafael Dias Submission (arm triangle choke) Bellator 58 November 19, 2011 1 3:56 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Loss 19–3 Pat Curran KO (head kick and punches) Bellator 48 August 20, 2011 2 4:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Bellator 2011 Summer Series Featherweight Tournament Final.
Win 19–2 Nazareno Malegarie Decision (unanimous) Bellator 47 July 23, 2011 3 5:00 Rama, Ontario, Canada Bellator 2011 Summer Series Featherweight Tournament Semifinal.
Win 18–2 Genair da Silva Decision (split) Bellator 46 June 25, 2011 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States Bellator 2011 Summer Series Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Loss 17–2 Hatsu Hioki Decision (unanimous) World Victory Road Presents: Soul of Fight December 30, 2010 5 5:00 Koto, Tokyo, Japan Lost Sengoku Featherweight Championship.
Win 17–1 Masanori Kanehara KO (punch) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 13 June 20, 2010 1 0:38 Sumida, Tokyo, Japan Won Sengoku Featherweight Championship.
Win 16–1 Tomonari Kanomata KO (punch) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku Raiden Championships 12 March 7, 2010 1 0:09 Sumida, Tokyo, Japan
Win 15–1 Yuji Hoshino KO (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 11 November 7, 2009 1 2:33 Sumida, Tokyo, Japan
Loss 14–1 Michihiro Omigawa Decision (split) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 9 August 2, 2009 3 5:00 Saitama, Saitama, Japan Sengoku 2009 Featherweight Grand Prix Semifinal; Originally a majority draw.
Win 14–0 Nick Denis KO (punches) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 8 May 2, 2009 1 0:19 Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan Sengoku 2009 Featherweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal.
Win 13–0 Matt Jaggers Submission (standing arm-triangle choke) World Victory Road Presents: Sengoku 7 March 20, 2009 2 2:57 Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan Sengoku 2009 Featherweight Grand Prix Opening Round.
Win 12–0 Masaya Takita Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Shining 9 October 26, 2008 3 5:00 Koto, Tokyo, Japan Won vacant Pancrase Featherweight Championship.
Win 11–0 Miki Shida KO (flying knee and punches) Pancrase: Shining 2 March 26, 2008 2 4:19 Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
Win 10–0 Daiki Hata Decision (unanimous) Pancrase: Rising 9 November 28, 2007 3 5:00 Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
Win 9–0 Marcos dos Santos Decision (unanimous) Shooto Brazil 3: The Evolution July 7, 2007 3 5:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 8–0 William Vianna Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Brazil 2 March 24, 2007 3 5:00 Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 7–0 Erinaldo Rodriguez Decision (unanimous) Shooto Brazil 1: The Return December 3, 2006 3 5:00 Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 6–0 Marcelo Ferreira Decision (unanimous) Minotauro Fights 4 August 4, 2006 3 5:00 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Win 5–0 Alexandre Aranha KO (punches) Arena Combat Cup 2 November 5, 2005 1 1:20 Brazil
Win 4–0 Fabricio Medeiros Decision (unanimous) Shooto: Brazil 8 April 30, 2005 3 5:00 Brazil
Win 3–0 Orley de Oliveira KO (punches) Shooto: Brazil 7 March 19, 2005 1 0:21 Brazil
Win 2–0 Antonio Carlos Lima Submission (triangle choke) Arena Combat Cup 1 November 6, 2004 2 N/A São Paulo, Brazil ACC 1 Featherweight Tournament Final.
Win 1–0 Tatu Nunes Submission (rear-naked choke) Arena Combat Cup 1 November 6, 2004 1 N/A São Paulo, Brazil ACC 1 Featherweight Tournament Semifinal.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ BJJ Heroes. "Marlon Sandro". BJJ Heroes.
  2. ^ Guilherme Cruz (20 February 2018). "Marlon Sandro charged with attempted murder". MMAfighting.
  3. ^ Ray Hui (7 March 2010). "Hirota Vacates Sengoku Title; Kanehara to Defend Belt at Sengoku 13". MMA Fighting.
  4. ^ "Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings". Sherdog.com. 27 October 2010.
  5. ^ "MMA: World Victory Road Presents Sengoku "The Soul of Fight" Recap". AngryMarks.com. 14 January 2010.
  6. ^ "Bellator inks featherweight notable Marlon Sandro for non-tourney fights". mmajunkie.com. 23 February 2011. Archived from the original on 26 February 2011.
  7. ^ "Bellator 81 results: Held taps Clementi, Jansen survives Tirloni to reach lightweight finals". MMAJunkie.com. 17 November 2012.
  8. ^ "Marlon Sandro vs. Akop Stepanyan". Sherdog.com. 7 February 2013.
  9. ^ "Bellator 92 results: Khasbulaev vs. Richman, Marshall vs. Cooper set for finals". MMAJunkie.com. 8 March 2013.
  10. ^ "Ryo Kawamura Smashes Kazuo Takahashi in Pancrase 20th Anniversary Headliner". Sherdog.com. 29 September 2013.
  11. ^ "Bellator 119 Full Card Finalized At Casino Rama On Friday, May 9th". TopMMANews.com. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  12. ^ "Marlon Sandro scores front kick KO in first fight after prison release | Brazil Beat". Bloody Elbow. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  13. ^ Breen, Jordan (10 January 2011). "Sherdog's 2010 All-Violence Team". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 16 January 2012.

External links edit