Marcio Andre - The Head Instructor of Marcio Andre BJJ Academy

Marcio Andre was born in Bangu, Brazil on 19 October 1994. He is one of the best grapplers of his generation who earned a great name in his color belt division. Marcio Andre is now running his own BJJ academy in Arizona where he is transferring his knowledge to those who want to learn and are passionate about BJJ.

Marcio Andre started his Jiu-Jitsu journey at the age of ten. Unfortunately, Andre became an orphan at the age of two when his father was murdered. His mother brought him up as a single parent. Due to the lack of supervision of his father, Marcio started to sit in mixed company.

At that time, a social project that was run in Bangu by Nova Uniao took him to a Jiu-Jitsu academy. This was the first time Marcio saw a purpose in his life. At that time, Marcio decided to dedicate his full attention and time to Jiu-Jitsu.     

In his first Jiu-Jitsu academy Marcio was taken along with other street boys, and he met Fabio Andrade as his first coach. Fabio Andrade was the head instructor at Nova Uniao Bangu. Marcio started his training with the future legends of grappling including Isaque Bahiense, Kauê Damasceno, and Iris Batista.  

Marcio Andre was very close to her mother, Andreia who brought him up without a husband. When Andre turned 17, she passed away leaving him alone in the world. This was the biggest loss Marcio ever suffered from. He expressed:

After that great agony, he was completely cut off from Jiu-Jitsu. Then his well-wishers including his coach Fabio Andrade, his friends, and his girlfriend supported him and made him rejoin Jiu-Jitsu.

Marcio was honored to be the best grappler of his generation in his color-best division. Marcio Andre received all his Belts from the same coach. After his great performance in the color belt division, his coach Fabio Andrade promoted him to Black Belt. He achieved this honor when he became the World Champion in 2014 as a Brown Belt.  

It was the childhood dream of Marcio to become the best. He requested his coach to allow him to train with adults. On his insistence, his coach allowed him on one condition that he would not cry. He started training with Yellow Belts and Orange Belts. After some time, Marcio became a warrior who was continuously taking substantial strides to become the best and achieve the Black Belt.     

Marcio Andre loved to train Jiu-Jitsu. Grappling became his passion. He wanted to become the best in this combat sport. He said in an interview that if he can train the whole day, he will. According to him, a champion must be dedicated, motivated, challenging, and determined. He is also very thankful to God for his achievements as he believes that all the success he has is the plan of God.

Marcio is very much inspired by various fighters who worked hard for the achievements they have. But the most favorite personality of Mracio Andre is Rubens Cobrinha.

Marcio Andre is still working on his Jiu-Jitsu game. After achieving the World Champion title at every belt level, Marcio is now working hard to be inducted into the Jiu-Jitsu Hall of Fame. 

After winning the major championships in 2010 and 2011, Marcio Andre came into the spotlight. His coach became the best coach for junior fighters. Mainstream BJJ media covered them both and mentioned Andre as the best grappler of his generation. He became famous as a grappler who started with a humble background and achieved a place in the top Black Belts.   

Marcio Andre is honored to become the IBJJF World Champion at every belt level. He is six times World Champion. He achieved his first world title at the Blue Belt level in 2011. At the Purple Belt level, he achieved two world championships in 2012 and 2013.

At the Brown Belt level, he became World Champion in both Gi and No-Gi tournaments. After receiving Black Belt, again achieved the title of the World Champion in the No-Gi tournament in 2016.   

Marcio Andre moved to Tempe Arizona when he was 22 years old. He started his coaching career there. He started coaching at Gustavo Dantas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. In 2019, he started his own Jiu-Jitsu academy.

Now Marcio Andre is the head instructor of Marcio Andre Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. This institution is considered the best local academy for Martial Arts and offers training for competitors of every age group including kids, teens, and adults.   

This bout was the clash of the year. Marcio Andre from Rio de Janeiro faced the unbeatable force of Paulo Miyao of Sao Paulo in the 2016 European Open. Both showed in the blue Gi wearing green and yellow belts. Miyao brothers have a respectable reputation in the whole BJJ community that needs no introduction. Andre is famous for his “Attacking and aggressive” fighting style.

Both competitors actively engaged from the start of the match. Rolling, sweeping, and transitioning from one position to another. Paulo showcased the elite top game and used pressure passing in the best way possible.

Miyao crawled his way from the top position to the side position, controlling the lower and upper body of Andre with both hands and restricting his movements.

Half time has passed and Miyao is still on top and Andre is in the bottom position with one advantage point.

Now Paulo Miyao is on the ground and Andre is in the top position. Throughout the fight, both competitors engaged with each other, attacked consistently, defended skilfully, and retained the attention of the audience.

Dramatically, 10 seconds before the end of the match Miyao also scored an advantage point, and the time ended. It was such a competitive match that the whole arena went quiet and it seemed that Miyao put in an equal amount but the referee's decision made Andre claim his featherweight gold. 

Marcio Andre faced Daniel Diniz in the final of the Phoenix Open 2022. Diniz started the fight by pulling a very aggressive guard.

For the first four minutes, Daniel continued his aggressive game plan and Andre defended from the bottom position. Finally, Andre got the back of Diniz and submitted him by the Collar Choke.

Marcio Andre faced Marcus Wilson in the final of the Denver Fall Open 2018. Marcio was super active in this match and overcame Marcus Wilson from the initial minutes. At the start of the game, both fighters were energetic.

Marcus took down Marcio and secured the top position. Marcio reversed the position rapidly and showcased a fantastic takedown and scored consecutive two and four points for a takedown and full mount respectively.

Marcio strangled the lapel of his Gi from the back and put pressure on the side and took the side control position. He scored another three points for side control. In the next few minutes, Marcio again scored three and two points for side control and takedown respectively.

In the complete match, Marcio did not leave his top position. At the end of the match, Marcio submitted Marcus with an Armbar.

Marcio Andre v Daniel Diniz / Phoenix Open 2022

Marcio Andre v Max Lindblad / European 2022

Marcio Andre vs Marcus Wilson / Denver Fall Open 2018

Marcio Andre v Krzysztof Suchorabski / European 2022

Photo Credit: @marcioandrejj