Javier Zaruski

Javier Zaruski Saul, born on 23 August 1991 in Uruguay, is a Uruguayan Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor and submission grappler who holds a black belt under André Galvão. He began in football, playing for Rampla Juniors and Club Sportivo Cerrito, then turned to mixed martial arts after being inspired by the UFC and fighters such as Frank Mir, and trained at the Scorpion gym in Montevideo, where he developed a passion for grappling. In the coloured belt divisions he won multiple titles, including the World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship as a brown belt in Dallas, Texas. As a black belt he won double gold at the ADCC in Mexico City and the super heavyweight No-Gi black belt world title, making him the first Uruguayan to win a black belt IBJJF No-Gi world title, and the IBJJF ranks him number one in the super heavyweight division.