Mario Lopez, the star who plays A.C. Slater in the widely popular TV show “Saved by the Bell” just got promoted to the purple belt after more than four years of training and some impressive competitive results so far.
Mario Lopez was in the news in the past year for more than just acting-related performances. He competed in several Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments as a blue belt, winning some of them, getting disqualified in one, and even entertaining the idea of having a super fight with Tom Hardy. This final one might have to wait until Hardy catches up to the newly promoted Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, though.
Mario Lopez announced the promotion via his Instagram profile, captioning:
“This purple belt has been a fun ride…
Thank you to my Professors & training partners for elevating my game!”
View this post on Instagram
Many star grapplers reacted to his promotion to Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, showing their support for the actor’s grappling endeavors:
“Less than 1% ever earn their white belt, and of those who do, less than 1% ever reach purple. Congratulations bro,” – wrote Rener Gracie.
“Congrats to my buddy Mario Lopez on his well deserved purple belt today. Things are getting serious now. Excited to see him in purple belt divisions now somehow in the master 14 division even though he looks like he’s 26,” – commented Gordon Ryan.
Speaking to Men’s Health prior to his promotion to a Jiu-JItsu purple belt, Mario Lopez admitted to truly enjoying the sport:
“Jiu-Jitsu is like physical chess. You’re constantly learning and expanding your mind. I just love it!
I love the community and everything that it’s about and that I get to do it with my kids. It instills such a great work ethic and confidence and physical toughness, as well as emotional, psychological toughness, and a lot of confidence.
So I love all those things and all those attributes and it’s taught. It will compliment my day, especially when I’m rushing from my radio show to Access.”
Just a couple of months ago, Lopez got DQed at a local IBJJF tournament due to leaving the mat area while being caught in a submission. Prior to that, he won gold At IBJJF Phoenix Open and Gracie Barra Compnet, stirring up talk that he may meet up with Tom Hardy in a celebrity “superfight”.
At the moment, we look forward to seeing him compete as a Jiu-Jitsu purple belt.
