Marcelo Saporito

Master Marcelo Saporito (born July 21, 1959, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a highly respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and the head coach at the legendary Academia Carlson Gracie in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. Tasked with leading one of the most iconic gyms in martial arts history following the passing of his master, Saporito has successfully guided the team to over 200 team titles across various age groups and divisions.

Martial Arts Roots & Early Training
Saporito’s journey into martial arts began at the age of 11, initially training seriously in boxing and Taekwondo. He excelled in the Korean striking art, capturing consecutive Rio de Janeiro State Championships in 1978 and 1979.

In 1981, looking to expand his athletic horizons, he joined the AABB Judo club, where he trained under Professor Jomar and eventually earned a brown belt. As his fascination with grappling grew, he became increasingly intrigued by the raw efficiency of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In 1982, he officially stepped onto the BJJ mats for the first time, walking into the historic Carlson Gracie Academy on Rua Figueiredo Magalhães.

The Carlson Gracie Era & Coaching Transition
Saporito dedicated his entire BJJ progression to Master Carlson Gracie, earning every single belt rank directly from the legendary figure. He was officially promoted to black belt on November 20, 1994.

His transition into coaching began shortly after his promotion, following a personal request from fellow academy coach Alberto Santos. After observing Saporito’s exceptional mechanical breakdown and patience with students, Carlson Gracie was highly impressed and brought Marcelo on board as a full-time assistant coach. Over the years, his leadership and positive influence on the squad became undeniable, leading to his eventual appointment as the head coach of the flagship headquarters.

Main Achievements
1st Place: CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (1995 Black Belt)

1st Place: CBJJ Brazilian Nationals (1994 Brown Belt)

2nd Place: MAMELUC Brazilian Nationals (1993 Purple Belt)

Weight Division: Peso Pena (70.00 kg / 154.0 lbs)
Primary Team Affiliation: Carlson Gracie Academy

Legacy and Influence
Under Saporito’s leadership, the Copacabana academy has amassed over 200 championship trophies, developing a continuous pipeline of World, Pan American, and Brazilian National Champions. He is widely revered for preserving the aggressive, pressure-oriented old-school style of Carlson Gracie while adapting it to the demands of modern sport jiu-jitsu. Over his decades of teaching, Master Saporito has graduated numerous high-level black belts, including Alan Moraes, Daniel Christoph, Luis Sergio de Morais Barros, and Patricia Hing.