André Maracaba

André Maracaba was born on September 22, 1981, in Fortaleza, the capital of the northeastern Brazilian state of Ceará. His martial arts journey began exceptionally early: at four years old, he took up judo, a discipline he pursued for years and in which he reached brown belt. The fundamentals judo instilled — balance, timing, and body control — proved to be lasting assets that would later define the precision and physicality of his grappling game.

In 1993, at twelve years of age, a close friend introduced Maracaba to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, opening a new chapter in his development. Rather than stepping away from judo, he made the deliberate choice to train both disciplines simultaneously, allowing each art to sharpen the other. That dual-training approach forged the well-rounded technical identity he would carry throughout his career.

Maracaba's progression through the BJJ ranks brought him to Gracie Fortaleza, where his technical growth and natural leadership qualities came into focus. At just sixteen years old and already a blue belt, he stepped into an assistant coaching role under Guilherme Rocha, helping lead classes at the academy. Taking on instructional responsibilities at that age placed Maracaba on a developmental path that most practitioners his age had not yet considered.

Under Professor Rocha's guidance, Maracaba advanced steadily from blue belt to brown belt, building a strong technical and pedagogical foundation alongside his training. The years spent coaching and competing at Gracie Fortaleza shaped the instincts he would later bring to his work as a head instructor. That chapter closed in 2004, when Maracaba made the decision to relocate to the United States.

In 2004, André Maracaba moved to the US East Coast to assist Régis Lebre with his expanding academy, joining a team that operated under the Gracie Humaitá banner and maintained a connection to Steve Maxwell's Maxercise academy in Philadelphia. The move thrust him into a competitive environment at the international level, accelerating his growth as both a competitor and a representative of the Gracie Humaitá lineage.

Maracaba wasted little time establishing himself on the competition circuit, representing both Gracie Humaitá and Maxercise in local and international tournaments. His consistent performances caught the attention of his instructor, and in July 2004 — just months after his arrival — Régis Lebre promoted him to black belt. The recognition reflected not only his technical ability but the years of dedication and coaching experience he had accumulated since his earliest days at Gracie Fortaleza.

Following his black belt promotion, Maracaba built a compelling competition record on the East Coast circuit, with his most definitive results coming at the Grapplers Quest series. Competing in the lightweight division at 76 kg (168 lbs), he claimed the Grapplers Quest Pro Division title in 2005, then returned two years later to repeat as Pro Division Champion in 2007. That same year, he added a third significant result by winning the Grapplers Quest "Beast of the East 3" Superfight, cementing his standing as one of the more accomplished competitors operating under the Gracie Humaitá and Maxercise banners during that period.

These victories demonstrated an ability to perform at a high level consistently over time, and they validated the blended judo-and-BJJ technical game Maracaba had been refining since childhood. His East Coast run stands as a clear expression of what early cross-training, disciplined fundamentals, and competitive hunger can produce.

In 2011, André Maracaba relocated to Arizona, where his arrival coincided with Power MMA's search for a high-level BJJ instructor to lead their grappling program. He inherited a program consisting of twelve children and two adults — a modest starting point from which he would build something far more substantial.

Under his leadership, the Power MMA jiu-jitsu program grew exponentially. Maracaba's coaching acumen and competitive experience transformed the academy into one of the more recognized teams on the IBJJF circuit, earning top rankings at major events such as the American Nationals. The program produced athletes who went on to claim American, Pan American, World, and state titles — a testament to the depth of instruction and culture Maracaba established in Arizona. His work at Power MMA, conducted also under the Maracaba BJJ brand, stands as the defining chapter of his career as a coach and instructor.