Helio “Soneca” Moreira
Helio Pires Moreira · Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The 1996 light-featherweight world champion, in a final broadcast live on TV, the Teresópolis native has promoted black belts such as Café Dantas and Gustavo Muggiati.
- world title, won at the first edition of the championship, in 1996
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Who is Helio Soneca
The light-featherweight final at the first Worlds, in 1996, was broadcast live on SporTV and ended with Helio “Soneca” Moreira as champion after beating Wellington “Megaton” Dias.
Born in 1969 in Teresópolis, in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro state, he came up at Gracie Barra under Jean Jacques Machado and received his black belt from Carlos Gracie Jr. He also had two MMA fights and won both.
As a coach he has promoted black belts such as Café Dantas and Gustavo Muggiati. On January 28, 2024, he received his coral belt from Renzo Gracie, on the same day as Roberto “Gordo” Correa, his teammate from the Gracie Barra years.
Recent wins
- 1996Wellington “Megaton” DiasWorlds, final
Major titles
1996
- IBJJF Worlds Light-featherweight Gold
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