Antônio "Nino" Schembri (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈninu ˈʃẽbɾi]; born June 1, 1974, in Rio de Janeiro) is a Brazilian practitioner of Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and former mixed martial artist.[2] He is a former member of the Chute Boxe Academy and currently trains with Black House.[citation needed] Schembri is highly accomplished in sport BJJ, having won the 1996 Brazilian National Championship in the absolute division world championships in his weight class back to back in 1997/1998. Schembri has a unique style of Jiu-Jitsu with focus on submission and creative attacks. At 1999 Pan-American he had phenomenal wins and became known as "El Nino", in analogy to the natural phenomenon El Niño.

Nino Schembri
BornAntônio Schembri
(1974-06-01) 1 June 1974 (age 50)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Other namesElvis
ResidenceRedondo Beach, California, U.S.
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight176 lb (80 kg; 12.6 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Middleweight
StyleMMA
Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Submission wrestling, Muay thai, Wrestling
TeamGracie Barra Academy
Chute Boxe Academy
Nino Schembri Team
Rankblack belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Years active2001–2008 (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total10
Wins5
By knockout1
By submission3
By decision1
Losses5
By knockout2
By decision3
Notable studentsMauricio Rua, BJJ[1]
Websitewww.omoplataking.com
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Submission Grappling
ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2001 – Abu Dhabi –88 kg
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Pan American Championship
Gold medal – first place 1999 California, USA -88 kg
World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Silver medal – second place 1998 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -88 kg
Silver medal – second place 1997 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -82 kg
Brazilian National Championship
Gold medal – first place 1996 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Absolute
Gold medal – first place 1996 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -82 kg

Schembri is sometimes nicknamed "Elvis" because he is an Elvis Presley fan and used to mimic some of Elvis's dance moves to celebrate his victories.[3] Today, Schembri teaches at his own gym located in Lawndale, California.

Biography

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Antônio Schembri was born into an Italian Brazilian family in Rio de Janeiro. In his youth, Schembri worked in his family's street market, helping his Italian-born father selling duvets. He began training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu at age five under Marcelo and Silvio Behring in the New Ipanema neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, before coming under the tutelage of Jorge Pereira at thirteen. As an 18 year old blue belt, Schembri moved to the Gracie Barra Academy to study under Carlos Gracie Jr. and Renzo Gracie. After training at Gracie Barra for two years, he was promoted to black belt.[4]

Schembri began competing in mixed martial arts (MMA) in 2001 after joining the Pride Fighting Championships in Japan. In his debut match, he defeated Luta Livre fighter Johil de Oliveira at Pride 14 on 27 May 2001. Around that time, Schembri left Gracie Barra and joined the Chute Boxe Academy, where he became the gym's grappling coach while learning striking from Rafael Cordeiro. At Pride 25 on 16 March 2003, Schembri scored the most significant victory of his career by defeating Kazushi Sakuraba by technical knockout. Schembri's father committed suicide in 2004, leaving Nino devastated and affecting his ability to focus and train consistently. During this time period, his record suffered and he retired with a 5-5 MMA record in 2008. Schembri returned to competing in jiu-jitsu in 2010, stating in an interview to the Fightworks Podcast that he was finally recovered mentally from his father's death.[5]

He moved to the United States and opened a jiu-jitsu academy in Lawndale, California.[6]

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
10 matches 5 wins 5 losses
By knockout 1 2
By submission 3 0
By decision 1 3
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 5–5 Mauro Chimento Jr. TKO (punches) Fury FC 7 - Final Combat December 5, 2008 1 0:30 Barueri, Brazil
Win 5–4 Daniel Grandmaison Submission (armbar) HCF: Crow's Nest March 29, 2008 1 2:37 Gatineau, Canada
Win 4–4 Amir Rahnavardi Submission (triangle armbar) MMAC: The Revolution May 12, 2007 1 0:57 Washington, D.C., United States
Loss 3–4 Matt Lindland TKO Cage Rage 14 December 3, 2005 3 3:33 London, England
Loss 3–3 Ryo Chonan Decision (unanimous) Pride: Bushido 7 May 22, 2005 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Loss 3–2 Kazushi Sakuraba Decision (unanimous) PRIDE Critical Countdown 2004 June 20, 2004 3 5:00 Saitama, Japan
Loss 3–1 Kazuhiro Hamanaka Decision (unanimous) PRIDE 26 June 8, 2003 3 5:00 Yokohama, Japan
Win 3–0 Kazushi Sakuraba TKO (knees and soccer kicks) PRIDE 25 March 16, 2003 1 6:15 Yokohama, Japan
Win 2–0 Daiju Takase Decision (split) PRIDE The Best Vol.2 July 20, 2002 2 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 1–0 Johil de Oliveira Submission (armbar) Pride 14 - Clash of the Titans May 27, 2001 1 7:17 Yokohama, Japan

ADCC Submission Grappling Record

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4 Matches, 3 Wins (2 Submissions), 1 Loss
Result Rec. Opponent Method Event Division Date Location
Win 3-1   Egan Inoue Points ADCC 2001 –88 kg 2001   Abu Dhabi
Lose 2-1   Saulo Ribeiro Penaltie
Win 2-0   Alexander Savko Submission (Omoplata)
Win 1-0   Akihiro Gono Submission (Rear-naked choke)

References

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  1. ^ "The Original Jiu-Jitsu Magazine". GRACIEMAG. 23 June 2015.
  2. ^ Rami Genauer (9 May 2007). "MMA IN DC: IS THE U.S. CAPITAL READY FOR MMA?". MMA Weekly. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  3. ^ "Antonio 'Nino' Schembri". BJJHEROES.
  4. ^ Nino Schembri Interview OnTheMat.com (September 7, 2004)
  5. ^ Nino Schembri bjjheroes.com
  6. ^ Nino Schembri bjjfanatics.com
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