Casimiro de Nascimento Martins, known as Rei Zulu, was born in São Luis, Maranhão in 1947. He specialized in tarraca, a traditional fighting style learned from his father. He trained jiu-jitsu under Waldemar Santana and claimed 150-270 consecutive wins before his first loss to Euclides Pereira by guillotine choke in 1979. Rickson Gracie defeated him via rear naked choke in April 1980 — Rickson's professional debut — and again in 1984. He competed remarkably late in life, with documented fights as late as 2008 at age 61. He is the father of MMA fighter Zuluzinho (PRIDE).