Hugo Marques

Early Life and Athletic Background

Hugo Marques was born on February 19, 1994, in Zona Norte, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From an early age, he actively participated in various sports, including swimming and water polo, developing a strong athletic foundation. Marques also trained in capoeira, a Brazilian martial art renowned for its dynamic and acrobatic movements. Although initially drawn to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, his parents opposed his involvement due to the sport's negative social perception in Brazil during the 1980s and 1990s. At age 16, Marques finally began his BJJ journey, training at a local gym under the mentorship of Alexandre Salgado.

Progression Through Colored Belts

Marques quickly distinguished himself as a talented competitor, capturing his first IBJJF World Championship title as a blue belt in 2013. Under the expert guidance of coaches Alexandre Salgado and Leandro Escobar (Tatu), he refined his technical skills and competitive mindset. Throughout his colored belt career, Marques consistently secured prestigious titles, including multiple IBJJF World Championships and Brazilian Nationals across various belt ranks. On June 3, 2017, following his second IBJJF World title victory at brown belt, Marques earned his promotion to black belt.

Dominance as a No-Gi Specialist

Hugo Marques established himself as one of the elite no-gi competitors in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, capturing IBJJF No-Gi World Championship titles at black belt in both 2018 and 2021. By mid-2020, Marques maintained an undefeated record in no-gi competition matches since receiving his black belt, underscoring his consistency and dominance. His victories at the Brazilian Nationals No-Gi, in both his weight class and the absolute division, further solidified his reputation as a premier no-gi athlete. Marques' no-gi performances are characterized by exceptional scrambling ability, relentless pace, and superior conditioning.

Wrestling-Heavy Competition Style

Widely recognized for integrating high-level wrestling into his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu approach, Hugo Marques employs an aggressive, wrestling-centric style. His relentless pursuit of takedowns, combined with dominant top control, makes him exceptionally challenging to score against. Commentators frequently highlight Marques' wrestling as among the most effective in any competitive bracket he enters. Notably, his performances at events such as Third Coast Grappling's Kumite showcased his dynamic scrambling, elite conditioning, and wrestling prowess, earning him widespread respect within the grappling community.

Relocation and Coaching Career in Boston

Originally from Rio de Janeiro, Marques relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, where he founded 617 Fight Sports (also known as 617BJJ). Serving as head coach and CEO, Marques quickly established a competitive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team, becoming an influential figure in the New England grappling scene. His academy emphasizes wrestling-based training methodologies, reflecting Marques' own competitive strengths and tactical approach.

Transition to Mixed Martial Arts

In March 2023, Hugo Marques expanded his athletic career by making his professional mixed martial arts debut. Competing in the lightweight division, Marques secured victory in his first MMA bout, effectively translating his elite grappling skills into the cage. Marques has expressed his intention to simultaneously pursue competitive grappling and MMA, with his successful debut demonstrating the effectiveness of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu foundation in mixed martial arts competition.