Monday marks the 52nd birthday of a man who revolutionized the martial arts: Marco Ruas. In the early 90's, the MMA was used to show what was the most effective martial art, but the brazilian fighter revolutionized this concept and began to mix the styles, called at the time of cross-training, creating the seeds of what today is known as MMA.

"If you punch and kick, I grab; if you grab, I punch and kick", Marco Ruas used to say.

Marco Ruas is the founder of Ruas Vale Tudo team, already in those past days worked on a mix of grappling and striking. Ruas also revealed major names in the sport, like Pedro Rizzo, Renato Babalu and Gustavo Ximu.

The PVT Mag August 2010 paid tribute to this MMA icon, giving him the cover of that month and doing a great interview with him. To check the edition with the man who revolutionized the sport that is now known as MMA, just click here.

As an athlete Marco Ruas has his fight in 1984 recorded as debut in which he draw against fellow Brazilian Fernando Pinduka in the "Jiu-Jitsu vs Martial Arts" event  on January 30th of that year. Ruas was the champion in UFC 7, semi finalist of the Ultimate Ultimate 95, and win important victories in the WVC.

Currently, he is dedicated to teach private lessons in California, where he live for over ten years.