Frederico Lapenda

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Frederico Lapenda is a Brazilian born immigrant to the United States. Best known as an early pioneer of mixed martial arts competitions, he introduced the first non-Gracie family Brazilian fighters to the Ultimate Fighting Championship^[1]

Some authorities credit Lapenda with introducting the first complete fighter into the sport when he managed and promoted Marco Ruas, as the "King of the Streets" because Ruas, with both striking and grappling skills, ushered in a new era when he won UFC 7.link 1

During the 1990s, Lapenda was perhaps the most prolific live-event mixed martial arts promoter in the world. He produced over 100 shows in 9 countries in a span of only 6 years. During this time, he developed some of the biggest names in the sport, including Igor Vovchanchyn, Mark Kerr, Marco Ruas, Heath Herring, and Pedro Rizzo.

In 1994, he became the first non-Japanese to promote a mixed martial arts show in Japan (Vale Tudo Japan). In 1996, he opened a martial arts school with Carlson Gracie in Los Angeles, California. In 1997, he introduced pay-per-view to Brazil with a mixed martial arts show (World Vale Tudo Championship 3). In 1998, he produced the first West Coast cable broadcast of mixed match martial arts (Combate Mortal) on KWHY TV.

Starting in 2001, Lapenda switched to producing films. He joined Mandalay Sport Action Entertainment. link 2 His production credits include: Bad Guys link 3, Nightmare Man, Shut Up and Shootlink 4,Mercy Street, How It All Went Down, The Smashing Machine, The Last Samurai Standing and Rites of Passage.link 5