Nino Schembri

Antônio “Nino” Schembri is a legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) black belt and professional mixed martial artist. Widely considered one of the most creative and revolutionary guard players in the history of the sport, he blasted onto the competitive scene in the mid-1990s representing the Gracie Barra academy.

Early Life and the Anti-Playboy Image
Born on June 1, 1974, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Schembri was raised in a traditional Italian-Brazilian family. During a turbulent era in the 1990s when the public image of the jiujiteiro (Jiu-Jitsu practitioner) was frequently tarnished by street gangs causing trouble in Rio, Nino was a breath of fresh air.

He came from a modest background, working alongside his father in a street market selling duvets. This humble lifestyle set him apart from many upper-class competitors who had the luxury of training full-time. Despite the financial constraints, his unmatched work ethic and sheer talent propelled him to the absolute pinnacle of the sport.

The Master of Innovation
Schembri received his black belt directly from Carlos Gracie Junior. Once he entered the elite ranks, his extraordinary flexibility and hyper-offensive guard game completely transformed modern grappling.

Known as the “King of the Omoplata,” Schembri revolutionized the shoulder blade lock, using it not just to sweep, but as a primary submission weapon. He is also recognized as one of the very first grapplers to successfully utilize and popularize early iterations of the Lasso Guard, the Gogoplata, and what would later evolve into the modern Rubber Guard.

Transition to Chute Boxe and MMA
In 2001, Schembri made his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) debut under the Pride FC banner, defeating veteran Luta Livre fighter Johil de Oliveira. Around this time, “Elvis” made the pivotal decision to step away from Gracie Barra to join the legendary Chute Boxe Academy in Curitiba.

At Chute Boxe, Schembri served as the primary grappling coach for the team’s fearsome Muay Thai strikers while sharpening his own stand-up skills under Rafael Cordeiro. His technical impact on the team was profound; notably, Schembri was the instructor who awarded UFC legend Mauricio “Shogun” Rua his BJJ black belt following Shogun’s historic Pride Middleweight Grand Prix victory.

Overcoming Tragedy
In 2004, Schembri’s father tragically took his own life, leaving Antonio emotionally devastated. For nearly six years, he struggled to cope with the profound loss. Though he continued to fight in MMA to pay his bills, his focus was heavily compromised, leading to an inconsistent training schedule and an unflattering 5-5-0 record by the end of 2008.

In 2010, Schembri made a highly anticipated and emotionally triumphant return to the Jiu-Jitsu mats, winning the Fabio Santos Open and publicly stating that he had finally recovered mentally and healed from his family’s tragedy.

Main Achievements
Schembri has built a storied competitive resume, highlighted by world titles and historic victories over elite opposition:

1st Place: IBJJF World Champion (1997, 1998)

1st Place: CBJJ Brazilian National Champion (1996 Absolute)

1st Place: Rickson Gracie Cup (2000)

1st Place: Pan American Championship (1999)

3rd Place: ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship (2001)

Practitioner Profile
Nickname Origin: “Nino” is a traditional Portuguese short-name for Antonio. His secondary nickname, “Elvis,” was given to him because of his deep love for Elvis Presley, often mimicking the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s signature dance moves to celebrate his victories on the mats.

Weight Division: Peso Médio (82.30 kg / 181.5 lbs)

Favorite Techniques: Open Guard and Omoplata