Marcio Andre

Márcio André was born on October 19, 1994, and raised in an impoverished region of Brazil. From an early age, he faced significant financial hardships, taking on various jobs such as washing cars, packing groceries, and selling fried chicken to finance his tournament fees. Despite the challenging environment, Márcio avoided the pitfalls of crime through the mentorship and guidance of his coach, Fábio Andrade, at Nova União (Bangú). Andrade's academy in Bangú is renowned for transforming the lives of underprivileged youth, producing notable athletes including Isaque Bahiense, Kauê Damasceno, and Ronaldo de Jesus.

Márcio André quickly emerged as a dominant competitor at the junior levels, capturing titles at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals and Team Nationals in 2010 and 2011. His momentum continued through the colored belt divisions, where he secured multiple IBJJF World Championships at blue, purple, and brown belts. In 2014, after claiming another IBJJF World Championship at brown belt, Márcio earned his black belt from his longtime mentor, Fábio Andrade.

Widely recognized as one of the premier featherweights of his generation, Márcio André has faced and defeated legendary figures such as Rafael Mendes and Rubens "Cobrinha" Charles. Throughout his black belt career, he consistently competes against elite-level opponents, securing victories over contemporary stars like Isaac Doederlein, Andy Murasaki, and Fabricio Andrey. In 2023, nearly nine years into his black belt journey, Márcio achieved a significant milestone by capturing his first IBJJF Pan American Championship at featherweight, defeating Fabricio Andrey in the final at the 2023 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship.

In 2019, Márcio André founded the Márcio André Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Phoenix, Arizona. As head instructor, he has built a robust competition team from the ground up, mentoring athletes such as Mourece Ramirez, who became an IBJJF purple belt world champion in 2021 under André's guidance. Márcio emphasizes comprehensive coaching and mentorship, developing both competitive athletes and recreational practitioners through structured programs tailored for adults and children.

Márcio André is renowned for his dynamic and technical guard play, characterized by aggressive submission hunting and fluid transitions. His guard system integrates precise grips, strategic off-balancing, and rapid positional changes, enabling him to consistently threaten opponents with sweeps and submissions. Márcio's adaptability is evident in his success across both gi and no-gi competitions, highlighted by victories at prestigious events such as the IBJJF World No-Gi Championship and the ACBJJ Lightweight Grand Prix. Despite balancing full-time coaching responsibilities, Márcio maintains elite competitive form, regularly appearing on major podiums, including a bronze medal at the 2022 IBJJF European Open.

Márcio André's career bridges multiple generations of elite competitors, successfully competing against past legends and current stars alike. His dedication to nurturing homegrown champions and expanding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's presence in Arizona solidifies his legacy beyond personal competition achievements. Márcio remains an inspirational figure within the BJJ community, exemplifying success through dedication, resilience, and mentorship. He continues to pursue his ultimate goal of capturing the coveted IBJJF World Championship title.