Marcello Salazar Bergo was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 27, 1981 to Silvia Helena Mousinho, of Portuguese ancestry and Victor Salazar Bergo, of Italian ancestry. At the age of 8, Marcello learned Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Coach Juarez Soares, a methodological specialist in training children. In 2004, Marcello Salazar received his black belt at the age of 24 from Brazilian Top Team founders and head coach Murilo Bustamante and Mario Sperry who received their black belts from the legendary Carlson Gracie. After conquering various national and international titles in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and over 300 submission grappling and wrestling matches to his credit, Marcello made the decision to undertake and compete in MMA. His professional MMA record currently stands at 8 wins and only 1 loss, and avenged that loss in a rematch. For fun and entertainment he surfs with friends; enjoys playing chess with members of his family, and reading political science articles and books in his spare time.
In his second to last fight he avenged his only professional loss after defeating Alex Cook at the IFL World Grand Prix Finals. The fight went all 3, 4 minute rounds ending in a Unanimous Decision in favor of Salazar. Marcello dominated the entire fight with relentless takedowns and GnP, but was unable to finish. Marcello has dedicated himself to and represented the Brazilian Top Team with major international success. Marcello has won the Brazilian and Rio de Janeiro State Championships of Jiu Jitsu, the European Submission Wrestling Championship, and—three times—the Brazilian Circuit Championship of Submission Wrestling. He represented Brazil on their Olympic Free Style and Greco Roman Wrestling Teams. Three times he was the Brazilian National Champion of Greco Roman Wrestling; four times the Free Style Wrestling Champion. And in the US, he has won the American Nationals NO-GI in 2008, and took 3rd in the in 2008. He was undefeated in MMA as an Amateur, and, as a Professional Fighter, he has lost only once— and avenged that loss in a rematch. He has also competed in an 8 man tournament where he finished all three of his fights by submission in the first round to win the tournament. The event was held on September 23, 2006 in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, under the International Challenge Championship banner.
Sport accomplishments
BJJ and Grappling
ADCC PRO North American BJJ Championship Gi 2009 - First Place
World Grappling Championship Gi 2008 - First Place
World Grappling Championship No Gi 2008 - Second Place
World BJJ Championship No Gi 2008 - Third Place
Pan American BJJ Championship No Gi 2008 - Third Place
American BJJ Championship No Gi 2008 - First Place
North American Grappling Championship No Gi 2008 - First Place
European Grappling Championship No Gi 2006 - First Place
Brazilian Grappling Circuit No Gi 2004 / 2005 - First Place
Marcello has an older brother and a twin sister. In 2008, his daughter, Katarina Gruenzner Bergo, was born in Portland, Oregon.In 2011 his son Olav Gruenzner Bergo was born in San Antonio, Texas. In 2019, his daughter Helena Kay Bergo, was born in Jacksonville, Florida. In 2007, Marcello Salazar earned a Bachelor's Degree in History from UGF University, Rio de Janeiro. Now not only has the BTT Jacksonville gym, but is also a jacksonville sheriff's office police officer/SWAT officer.
