Megaton Dias wants a place in the Jiu-Jitsu Hall of Fame
The 59-year-old coral belt tells VF Comunica that more than three decades dedicated to jiu-jitsu deserve recognition and says new generations need to know who opened the way for the sport
Wellington “Megaton” Dias wants to see his name in the Jiu-Jitsu Hall of Fame. A 59-year-old coral belt who has competed at the IBJJF World Championship since the first edition, in 1996, the coach talked about it in an interview with VF Comunica, presented by Kingz.
“Anyone who spends 31 years on anything has to be recognized, because that is a lifetime. That is 31 years doing the same thing. Whether it is ballet, piano or any sport, the guy spent 31 years doing that,” he said.
More than three decades as a black belt
Thirty-one years is also the minimum time as a black belt required for the coral belt, the red-and-black belt that marks the seventh degree. Megaton is a Royler Gracie black belt and one of the best-known names from Gracie Humaitá. In the late 1980s, he left Rio de Janeiro for Arizona and became one of the first Brazilians to teach the art in the United States. His academy in Phoenix is still open today.
Even with that rank, he keeps competing. He was back at the World Championship in 2026, in the adult division, and in 2025 he won double gold at the International Masters North America, with five wins at Master 6. In the interview, he also says he was the first coral belt to complete the IBJJF Grand Slam. His name is not yet among those honored in the federation’s Hall of Fame.
“Without these guys, we would not be here”
The recognition Megaton asks for himself is the same he asks for those who came before him. For the coach, anyone who makes a living from jiu-jitsu needs to know who opened the way for the sport.
“Anyone who works in this industry has to know who helped pave the way for the sport first. When I go to Brazil, or to any tournament, I look for the old-school guys. I go there to pay my respects. Without these guys, we would not be here,” he said.
Full interview on YouTube
The full conversation is on the VF Comunica YouTube channel, in the vlog “Um dia com Megaton Dias, lenda do Jiu-Jitsu” (A day with Megaton Dias, jiu-jitsu legend). In another part of it, he joked about training with Rickson Gracie.
Does Megaton Dias deserve a place in the Jiu-Jitsu Hall of Fame? Leave your opinion in the comments.
