Rei Zulu

Casimiro de Nascimento Martins, better known as Rei Zulu ("King Zulu"), is a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from Brazil. Zulu was born of poverty, and decided to seek a career as a professional Vale Tudo fighter. Zulu had his first fight at age 18 in 1963.

Zulu made a name for himself by challenging local tough guys from Brazil, as well as tourists from around the world. In 1980, after 17 years of competition, reportedly winning over 150 consecutive unsanctioned fights, Zulu issued a challenge to the Gracie Family to prove who was the best Vale Tudo fighter in the nation.

Undefeated Rickson Gracie met Zulu in a televised match which made headlines in Brazil. Zulu lost his undefeated streak when Gracie choked him out. In a rematch a few years later, Zulu again lost by choke. On November 30, 1984, Rei Zulu scored his biggest victory, an upset over Full Contact Kickboxing competitor Sergio Batarelli at JJ vs MA-Jiu-Jitsu vs Martial Arts.

In 2007, at 62, Zulu had three fights in Brazil and won all of them by knockout. He was also an adviser to his son Zuluzinho. The younger Zulu claimed to hold a 39-0 (39 knockout) record before making his PRIDE Fighting Championships debut.

In a February 7, 2008 interview on Sherdog.com, Zulu said he will continue to fight on. He hopes to fight American fighters Skip Hall, 63, and former UFC World Heavyweight Champion Dan Severn, 54.

On July 6, 2008, Rei Zulu, 63, lost by disqualification in round 2 to Santos Samurai at Desafio de Gigantes 10 in Brazil. Zuluzinho fought on the same card in the main event and was knocked out in one round by Guigao Guigao.