Marco

• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – Black belt under Ricardo Vieira

His first steps into the martial arts world were through Judo when he was still a toddler. It was only later in his life that he fell in love with martial arts and Jiu Jitsu in particular, after watching the first UFC seeing Royce Gracie win the event.

He started training BJJ in 1994 with Murilo Bustamante and Serio “Bolao” in an academy close to his house. The contact with the Carlson Gracie black belts was short and Canha soon moved from one fantastic coach to another, Roberto Traven.

He stayed with Roberto Traven through the ranks, from Yellow Belt, to Blue Belt. When Traven moved to Australia, Canha took instruction from Muzio de Angelis.  Muzio (who graduated him as a purple belt) was the man that truly instigated Marco to follow a jiu jitsu career and believed in his skill. At a later stage Marco started training with another legendary jiu jitsu coach in Ricardo Vieira at the famous Fight Zone Academy in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. Marco Canha received his Black Belt from Ricardo in 2008.

In his first competition as a Black Belt, Canha took 3rd place in the Open Weight Division at the Rio de Janeiro State Championship – arguably the hardest State to compete in. This was an important landmark in Marco’s career as he had not competed as a Brown Belt.

Main Achievements:

• 2nd Place Rio de Janeiro State Championships (2009);
• 3rd Place Rio de Janeiro State Championships – FJJ (2009);
• 3rd Place Rio de Janeiro State Championships – CBJJE (2009 absolute);
• 3rd Place at the Scandinavian Open (2009);
• 2nd Place at NOGI British National Open (2009);
• 2nd Brazilian Nationals (Blue Belt Division 1997)