Luan Carvalho

Luan Carvalho was born on July 22, 1991, in Brazil. His martial arts journey began at age 10 with capoeira, a traditional Brazilian martial art emphasizing agility and rhythm. At 11, Carvalho transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after receiving a gi from a friend who had stopped training. He began his formal training under coach Ernesto at a local social project designed to steer youth away from crime. This early experience ignited Carvalho's lifelong passion and dedication to the sport.

Seeking a more competitive training environment, Carvalho joined the renowned Nova União academy in Macaé. Under the expert guidance of Master Cláudio Joanino, he refined his technical skills and steadily advanced through the ranks. Although competing largely under the radar during his colored belt years, Carvalho consistently excelled in local tournaments, laying a solid foundation for future international recognition.

Carvalho's international breakthrough occurred at the 2015 IBJJF Pan American Championship, where he captured widespread attention by defeating highly decorated veteran Rodrigo Caporal. Building on this momentum, he secured victories at the 2015 IBJJF Rio Fall Open and the 2015 CBJJ Brazilian Nationals, notably overcoming former champions Michael Langhi and Juan Caio Kamezawa. These impressive performances established Carvalho as one of the premier lightweight competitors of his generation.

Throughout his competitive career, Carvalho has earned significant victories against elite-level opponents. At the 2016 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, he notably defeated IBJJF World Champion Lucas Lepri. Carvalho has also secured wins over prominent athletes such as Michael Langhi, Patrick Gaudio, and Rodrigo Caporal. Known for his willingness to challenge himself in absolute divisions, Carvalho consistently demonstrates technical precision and strategic adaptability against larger opponents.

In 2021, Carvalho showcased his versatility by excelling in no-gi competition, capturing the CBJJ South American No-Gi Championship title. During this period, he maintained an impressive eight-match unbeaten streak at black belt level. His dominance continued into 2023, where he secured gold in the Master 1 absolute division at the 2023 IBJJF European No-Gi Championship, further highlighting his adaptability across various competition formats and rulesets.

In 2024, Carvalho achieved another career milestone by winning gold at the 2024 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. Competing in the Master 1 lightweight division, this victory marked his first World Pro title at the black belt level, underscoring his longevity and elite technical proficiency on the international stage.

Beyond his competitive achievements, Carvalho actively promotes his own training philosophy, "Oak Jiu-Jitsu," emphasizing strength, resilience, and technical refinement. He regularly conducts international seminars, including guest-instructing sessions in Switzerland in 2024. While continuing to compete, Carvalho increasingly embraces a mentorship role, sharing his extensive knowledge and experience to develop talent both in Brazil and internationally.

Throughout his career, Carvalho has faced significant challenges, including visa issues that prevented him from competing at the IBJJF World Championship. Actively collaborating with legal counsel to resolve these obstacles, he remains steadfast in his pursuit of becoming a world champion. Carvalho consistently emphasizes his commitment to growth and evolution with each competition, expressing gratitude for the ongoing support from sponsors and platforms such as BJJ Heroes.