Nazareno Malegarie


Nazareno Malegarie is an Argentine mixed martial artist, and a two-time BJJ World Champion currently competing in the Featherweight division of the Professional Fighters League. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, he has also competed for the UFC, Bellator and Pancrase.

Background

Malegarie grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina where he began learning Judo when he was only four-years-old and later Tae kwon do at the age of seven.
He was Judo Champion in Argentina in 1999 and 2000.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

In 2001, after his family moved to Brazil, he started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, winning the 2003 and 2004 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Championships in the blue belt division, South American and state tournaments. In BJJ he holds a notable victory over the four time BJJ World Champion and UFC fighter Gilbert "Durinho" Burns. After earning his blackbelt he made the leap into mixed martial arts, when he began training alongside UFC veteran Thiago Tavares, who inspired him to consider a career in MMA.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Malergarie currently trains at the Ataque Duplo Gym in Brazil. After his MMA debut in 2007, Nazareno fought in many MMA organizations in Brazil and Puerto Rico, where he finished 17 of his 19 victories by knockout or submission as a professional.

Bellator MMA

At Bellator 37, Malegarie fought Daniel Mason-Straus in the quarter finals of the Bellator Season Four Featherweight Tournament. Despite a noble effort, fighting a war for three rounds, Straus received the unanimous decision, eliminating Malegarie from the tournament and giving him his first career loss.
After his loss to Straus, Malergarie went back to the gym to work on his wrestling techniques for a possible rematch. His improved wrestling and ground skills showed during his fight with Jacob DeVree at Bellator 46, which he won by third round submission.
Malegarie competed in the opening round of the Bellator. He faced Rad Martinez in the quarter finals at Bellator 76 and lost via unanimous decision.

The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil

Malegarie participated in. He entered the house by defeating Edson Pereira via unanimous decision. In the semi-finals, Malegarie lost to Fernando Bruno by unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Malegarie made his promotional debut on September 5, 2015 at UFC 191 against fellow TUF Brazil competitor Joaquim Silva. He lost the fight via split decision.

Grappling career