Cristiano Marcello

Cristiano Marcello da Silva (born December 3, 1977) is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist and former Chute Boxe BJJ head coach who formerly fought for the UFC. Cristiano competed in the Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Championship in 1998, 1999 and again in 2001. Marcello was also a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter: Live.

Pride Fighting Championships
Cristiano fought for PRIDE Fighting Championships at the PRIDE Bushido 12 in August 2006.

Marcello is widely known for a backstage altercation at PRIDE Shockwave 2005 in which Charles Bennett insulted the Chute Boxe Academy and Wanderlei Silva resulting in a fight between Marcello and Bennett, and Marcello put Bennett to sleep with a triangle choke before the fight was broken up.

In January 2009, Marcello left the Chute Boxe Academy in Curitiba to go full on with his own martial arts academy, CM System, which opened its doors in March 2009. Despite leaving Chute Boxe, Marcello is still considered a BJJ coach, and continues to train Chute Boxe fighters out of his own gym.

The Ultimate Fighter
In February 2012, it was revealed that Marcello was selected to be a participant on The Ultimate Fighter: Live. In the opening round, Marcello defeated Jared Carlsten by submission to qualify as one of the 16 fighters to live in the TUF house.

Marcello was selected as Team Faber's second pick (fourth overall). In the second fight of the first round, Marcello was selected to fight Justin Lawrence, Team Cruz's first overall pick. He was knocked out by Lawrence at 3:15 of the second round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Marcello fought fellow cast member Sam Sicilia on June 1, 2012 at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale. Marcello lost via second round KO due to a flurry of knees and punches.

Cristiano made his return against Reza Madadi on October 13, 2012 at UFC 153. He won the fight via a controversial split decision. The decision was controversial since most major MMA outlets scored the bout for Madadi.

Marcello took on UFC newcomer and World Victory Road veteran Kazuki Tokudome at UFC on Fuel TV 8 on March 2, 2013. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Marcello faced Joe Proctor on February 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 36. He lost the fight via unanimous decision and announced his retirement 2 months later to focus more on his gym and coaching, Marcello also plans to compete in the ADCC for the first time in his grappling career.

Return from retirement
On June 29, 2018 Marcello announced that he has returned to MMA and has signed a three-fight contract with Brave CF.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Nitrix Champion Fight
 * Nitrix Lightweight Championship (One time)