One of my personal MMA mentors has passed away

Last night Master Maurico "Hostile" Zingano passed away. He is the owner of my Jiu Jitsu/Muay Thai/MMA gym. I've been in several classes with him as the instructor, spoke with him quite a bit and he was in my corner my last competition. He will be greatly missed by his family, me, our gym and the mma community. He is also husband to "Alpha" Cat Zingano, #2 ranked woman's fighter in the world. RIP Master Z, you will be missed.

This picture is of me receiving my belt promotion about 7 months ago, he is the one on the right with his hands on his belt.

http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/...ps41934a8f.jpg

I ask that nothing but respect for him and his family be posted on this thread. Please keep your opinions and rumors to yourself.

More about Master Z: http://www.zinganobjj.com/instructors/

Master Mauricio Zingano – M.M.A. & B.J.J. Head Coach


Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) – 3rd Degree Black Belt


Professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighter


Muay Thai Kick Boxing – Black Rank





Master Zingano began training in Martial Arts at age 10 doing Karate and Judo. At 16 years old he began taking Jiu Jitsu lessons from the world famous Gracie brothers.


Master Zingano was fortunate enough to learn from Rickson, Rorion, Rolker, Relson and Royce Gracie for many years and also from the patriarch of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Gracie Jiu Jitsu), Master Helio Gracie.


Not only he was taught the art of Jiu Jitsu but more importantly he received private training form Grand Master Helio Gracie himself on how to teach Jiu Jitsu. He began teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the young age of 17.


Master Zingano learned directly from the source of Gracie Jiu Jitsu and defended the honor of the Gracie family in several occasions during the “Gracie Challenge Matches”, where black belts and experts from other disciplines such as Karate, Tae Know Do, Kung Fu, Wrestling, Boxing, Muay Thai, Shoot Fighting, Sambo and many others would come in to the Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy and have No Holds Barred matches against the Gracie Jiu Jitsu fighters. In this challenges matches Master Zingano fought without hesitation opponents who out weight him by as much as 100lbs and were over a foot taller than him never suffering a single defeat. He was known as one of the “gate keepers” at the Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy during an era where bouts were fought without protective gear, weight classes and on a moment’s notice.


Over the years Master Zingano also studied Wrestling, Boxing and Muay Thai Kick Boxing and fought in numerous Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competitions. He became a two time national BJJ champion and remained undefeated in MMA having had over 30 amateur and professional bouts.


In 2004 Master Zingano moved to Denver and established his first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Westminster.


He was also the founder of the Rocky Mountain Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation, an organization that promoted and organized local Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Grappling tournaments, helping the growth of the sport in Colorado.


Master Zingano teaches daily between both Zingano Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academies in Broomfield and Brighton and in 2010 he was voted “Colorado’s MMA Coach of the Year.”


Master Zingano has leaded his Team to win 10 State Championships, 4 National Cup Championships and several other prestigious titles in both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Grappling. He has made in to champions many of his fighters who had never had any previous MMA experience.


Master Zingano own wife, Professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter Cat Zingano, is one of the top ranked MMA fighters in the world today.

Condolences to the family and all the students of his. Very young and talented to leave so early.

WOW RIP only 37, that is young sorry for the loss of your friend and your MMA family loss.

Wow, I met Mauricio a couple of times and Cat once. Very nice people, they will be missed tremendously.

Wow. I used to go to his gym regularly in Broomfield from 2006-2008. What happened? That is so unexpected.

Certainly is a sad day.. I've seen him at some local stuff but never had the privilege to train with him. Saw it all over my FB earlier..

37 y/o.... How?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sawin

37 y/o.... How?

---

No official statement has been released.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hghclsswhitetrsh

I ask that nothing but respect for him and his family be posted on this thread. Please keep your opinions and rumors to yourself.

---

That's a shame, man. Sorry to hear that. I never trained with him, but only heard great things about your gym and team.

Sorry to hear about the loss, HC.

God rest his soul, and my heart goes out to his family, friends and all the students that he trained and helped.

Sorry to hear this...

Sorry to hear this, my BIL knows him as well. RIP

Sorry to hear the sad news.

May he R.I.P

Sorry for your loss and the loss to the MMA world. RIP