At 52 years old, Mario Lopez stepped onto the competition mat at the IBJJF OC Spring Open held April 11th and 12th at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Gymnasium in Fullerton, California.
The actor and television personality, perhaps best known to generations of fans from his long career on screen, competed in the Male Master 4 Purple Belt Light division, weighing at 168 lbs (76.2 kg). According to official IBJJF records, Lopez entered under the name Mario Junior, representing Gracie Barra.
After earning a victory in his opening match of the day, a result that the IBJJF organization highlighted on their own social media channels, Lopez went on to claim the silver medal, finishing just behind gold medalist Danny Danger Johnson of Alliance. Adrian Roy Ramiscal Santos of AOJ and Richard Ramirez Jr of Lansang Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu each took bronze.
The podium finish quickly drew attention online. His wife, Courtney Lopez, wrote in response to the news: “My husband is one bad a*s man. I love you and I’m so proud of you.”
Lopez’s appearance at a sanctioned IBJJF event places him alongside the likes of Tom Hardy and Mark Zuckerberg as a public figure willing to test their grappling credentials in open competition, where credentials earned in the gym must be backed up on the mat against strangers.
This is far from the first time Lopez has put his purple belt on display. He recently squared off against Georgio Poullas, a former state champion wrestler known for his viral “$1,000 takedown challenge” series.
UFC Sean Strickland was among those who took notice, writing: “We gotta get you to come train with us in Vegas!”
Former UFC champion Urijah Faber added his own endorsement: “Mario still got it! CA wrestling.”
MMA referee Mike Beltran also weighed in with warm words, commenting: “Way to represent TEAM 50’s. Excellent job brother. Looking good and sick scrambles.”
Poullas himself, who has tested the wrestling credentials of numerous high-level athletes through his challenge series, offered respect after their session: “Bro is super talented. Had a lot of fun with this!”
Lopez responded in kind on social media: “Fun battle my man! Imma get ready for round 2.”
