Brazilian fighter-turned-coach Marcelo Dias Greghi Barreira has several titles to his credit. Here’s a look-back at his illustrious career
For 38-year-old mixed martial arts fighter Marcelo Dias Greghi Barreira, it hasn’t been his only priority to win any specific title. Rather, he believes in developing himself into a well-rounded fighter with the capability of showcasing multiple skills in the ring. With such an approach towards the sports, the Brazilian native— Marcelo Dias—managed to have black belts in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, Hapkido and Muay Thai.
Ever since his childhood, Marcelo has been inclined towards sports. Before getting introduced to any form of martial arts, he went on to pursue courses in physical education to build a strong foundation for his desire to excel in the field of sports. He, thus, graduated in physical education from Centro Universitário Monte Serrat in Brazil. After this, he also completed masters in physical education from Alphaamérica University, Brazil.
In the 90s, he was ruling the ring! First, he went on to receive the Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu during his association with the school named after Ivan Gomes, the celebrated Vale Tudo fighter and professional wrestler. He received the 4th-degree Black Belt—another advanced rank depicting Brazilian jiu-jitsu professors—under popular fighters like Ismael Souza, Daniel Lucena and GM Reylson Gracie. In 1999, he received Black Belt in Taekwondo and Hapkido. He also received the Black Prajed in Muay Thai and Black Belt 6 degree in Kickboxing.
Marcelo has several titles to his credit. He won the World Open Taekwondo Championship-WTF Style from 2001 to 2004. In 2005-06, he bagged the World Martial Arts Champion UIAMA – (Full Contact Rules) title. He won the same title for grappling rules in 2005, 2006 and 2017. In 2009, he was declared winner of World Martial Arts Championships UIAMA. He became the winner of Mixed Real World Fighter—Grapling 2019 in Costa Rica.
He was ranked in the top 16 fighters in the world for the documentary of real life Warrior Island. He was a member of the Illustrated Book of MMA in 2011. The International Martial Arts Council of Brazil recognized him as the trainer of the year in 2016. Not known to many, but he has also acted in the Brazilian film Sobreviver 2.4.
After having an illustrious career in the ring, Marcelo has now turned its attention towards training and coaching budding fighters. “My priority is now to teach people the nuances of martial arts. Also, I believe that it is not important to do intensive training for about 6 to 7 hours a day and make the body vulnerable to injuries. Rather, quality training for about three hours a day is all that I recommend,” he says. To motivate his students, Marcelo often repeats that ‘it is not just important to be a fighter in the ring, but one must have the fighting spirit in life as well.’
Accolades
- 2016: Trainer of the Year by International Martial Arts Council- Brasil
- 2008: Warrior of the Year, GM Quoc Tran USA
- 2006: Best Fighter Kickboxing First Point, São Paulo State Brazil-CBKB WAKO
- 2017: UIAMA Personality -World Championships, São Paulo Brasil
- Awarded best coach at ‘Homenagem Esportiva Assembléia Legislativa – São Paulo’
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