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Athlete Black belt Roosterweight

Marcelo “Marcelinho” Pereira

Marcelo da Silva Pereira · Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The 1998 roosterweight world champion, crowned a few days after earning his black belt, the Nova União standout from Rio reached the final again two years later and now teaches jiu-jitsu in Florida.

Updated Oct 7, 2026

Marcelo Pereira
Photo: Marcelo Pereira Jiu-Jitsu
roosterweight Worlds finals, including the 1998 title
2

Who is Marcelo Pereira

Marcelo Pereira received his black belt a few days before the 1998 Worlds and left the tournament as roosterweight world champion. The final was closed out between Nova União teammates, with Márcio Galvão in second. A year earlier, still a brown belt, he had taken bronze in the same division.

Born in 1978 in Vila da Penha, Rio de Janeiro, he started training with Wendell Alexander and from purple belt on was coached by André Pederneiras, who gave him his black belt. In 2000 he reached the roosterweight Worlds final again and took silver behind Omar Salum.

In 2006 he moved to the United States and settled in Fort Myers, Florida. He opened an academy in Naples and now runs Team Marcelo Pereira, with locations in the area. He officially retired from competition in 2016, at 38.

Losses

  • 2010Bruno MalfacineWorlds
  • 2000Omar SalumWorlds, final

Major titles

2000

  • IBJJF Worlds Roosterweight Silver

1998

  • IBJJF Worlds Roosterweight Gold

Before black belt

  • IBJJF Worlds 1997, brown belt, roosterweight Bronze
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