Anthony Perosh

Anthony Perosh's path to becoming one of Australia's most celebrated grapplers and mixed martial artists began in 1994, when he stepped onto the mat for the first time to train traditional Karate at the age of 21. That initial foray planted a seed that would define the course of his life. In March 1995, he deepened his commitment by joining Paul Zandro's gym, where he trained Kempo Karate and Muay Thai Kickboxing — building a well-rounded striking foundation that would later complement his grappling game.

It was within that same environment that Perosh received his first exposure to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1996, an encounter that redirected his martial arts focus entirely. The ground-based art captivated him in a way that striking disciplines had not, and he pursued it with increasing intensity. The following year, he continued his BJJ development under Anthony Lange, steadily constructing the technical base that would carry him to international competition. His dedication to striking arts also bore fruit during this period — he earned a brown belt in Kempo before his attention shifted decisively toward the grappling world.

Immersive Training and Technical Refinement

The defining chapter of Anthony Perosh's BJJ development came when he traveled to the United States to train under world-renowned instructor Carlos Machado. From 1997 to 2000, Perosh spent approximately two and a half years in direct, immersive training under Machado — a formative period that sharpened his technique, deepened his conceptual understanding of the art, and exposed him to the highest levels of competition.

International Competitive Results

Perosh wasted no time demonstrating his caliber on the global grappling stage. He earned a World Championship Bronze Medal at blue belt in 1999, then followed with a Pan American Silver Medal at purple belt in 2000 — results that placed him among the top competitors in his divisions worldwide. He also qualified for the ADCC Finals, further cementing his standing as an elite-level grappler.

The relationship with Carlos Machado proved to be among the most consequential of Perosh's career. In August 2003, Machado formally awarded Perosh his BJJ black belt — a recognition of the years of dedication, competitive achievement, and personal growth that had taken root during those full-time training sessions years earlier.

Returning Home and Giving Back

Upon returning to Australia after his time in the United States, Anthony Perosh moved quickly to give back to the country that had shaped him. He began teaching BJJ at Paul Zandro's original Kempo gym — the very place where his martial arts journey had first taken root — offering one class per week to a small but growing group of students. It was a modest beginning, grounded in genuine purpose.

Expanding the Program

As demand grew, Perosh relocated his classes to a church hall and expanded his schedule to three sessions per week to accommodate more practitioners. Throughout this period, he continued making regular trips to the United States to train under Carlos Machado, ensuring that his own technical development kept pace with his expanding responsibilities as a coach.

Establishing a Full-Time Academy

In 2002, Perosh formalized what had become an organically thriving program by establishing a full-time BJJ academy. He later opened an additional academy under his own name, and together these institutions produced hundreds of BJJ practitioners across Australia. Recognized as one of the first BJJ black belts in the country, Anthony Perosh stands as a foundational figure in Australian grappling — an athlete who not only achieved at the highest levels himself, but systematically built the infrastructure for others to follow.

A Landmark Year: 2003

2003 proved to be a convergence of breakthrough moments for Anthony Perosh. Operating under the nickname 'The Hippo', he launched his MMA career by entering the Spartan Reality Fight tournament, winning all three of his bouts in a single night — an immediate and emphatic statement of his readiness for competitive cage fighting. That same year, he received his BJJ black belt from Carlos Machado, making 2003 a year in which competitive breakthrough and personal milestone arrived together.

Rising Through the Australian MMA Scene

Perosh established himself as one of Australia's premier MMA fighters with a consistency that drew attention well beyond domestic circles. His grappling base, forged through years of training in the Carlos Machado system, provided a technical edge that translated seamlessly into the cage — allowing him to control range, dictate pace, and finish fights on the ground with precision.

UFC Debut

In July 2006, Anthony Perosh made his UFC debut, becoming one of the early Australian fighters to compete on the world's largest MMA platform. Competing primarily at light heavyweight — the Super Pesado division at 100 kilograms — he carried with him a foundation built across more than a decade of martial arts training, international competition, and relentless self-improvement.