Arlisson Melo Dos Santos

Arlisson Melo — widely known by his nickname "Kiki" — was born on June 25, 1981, in Brazil. His father, Cosmo Dias, recognized his son's potential early and began teaching him jiu-jitsu personally at approximately seven years old. That direct, deliberate introduction to the art set the foundation for what would become a career reaching the highest levels of international competition.

As Melo's skills matured, his father enrolled him under Nonato Machado, who guided him through both his blue and purple belt promotions. The seamless handoff from father to Machado ensured a disciplined, structured progression — one that shaped the technical identity Kiki would carry throughout his competitive life.

Upon receiving his purple belt, Arlisson Melo made the pivotal decision to relocate to Rio de Janeiro in pursuit of elite-level training. He joined the Nova Uniao headquarters, placing himself under the supervision of André Pederneiras and Wendell Alexander — two figures whose influence would prove central to his rise as a world-class grappler.

The competitive environment at Nova Uniao accelerated Melo's development rapidly. In 2000, he claimed the IBJJF World Championship at purple belt, signaling his arrival as a serious force on the international stage. The following year, in 2001, Kiki completed a remarkable back-to-back run by capturing the IBJJF World Championship again — this time at the black belt level, the very same year André Pederneiras and Wendell Alexander awarded him that promotion. Winning consecutive world titles across two belt levels stands as one of the more striking achievements in competitive BJJ, and a clear reflection of the depth of his technical development at Nova Uniao.

A memorable side chapter in Melo's athletic career unfolded during his time training at Nova Uniao. Vitor Ribeiro — the Nova Uniao black belt known as "Shaolin" — observed Arlisson's exceptional grappling athleticism in training and encouraged him to enter the Wrestling Nationals, scheduled just days away.

With virtually no background in wrestling-specific rules, Melo spent the intervening days studying the regulations alongside Ribeiro. The preparation proved sufficient. Kiki entered the competition, won his division convincingly, and earned the Brazilian National Wrestling Champion title in 2001 — along with an invitation to join the Brazilian National Wrestling Team. He declined, choosing to remain committed to his BJJ career. The episode nonetheless revealed the natural athleticism and adaptability that had distinguished him from the beginning.

Within the Nova Uniao network, Melo formed a relationship that would fundamentally reshape the trajectory of his career. He met Jair Lourenco — a Nova Uniao black belt and the head of Kimura-Nova Uniao, based in Natal in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. What began as a professional connection deepened into something far more personal; Melo has described Lourenco as a second father and one of the most important figures in his life.

Competing under the Kimura-Nova Uniao banner, Melo established himself as one of the most consistent performers in international jiu-jitsu at the rooster weight division, accumulating CBJJO World Cup titles in 2002, 2003, and 2004. The Kimura-Nova Uniao affiliation became central to his identity as both competitor and instructor, with the mentorship of Jair Lourenco remaining a defining influence throughout his career.

In 2007, Arlisson Melo relocated to Europe, initially settling in London, England. His time there offered limited engagement with the local jiu-jitsu community, and the move did not immediately translate into the instructional platform he would later build on the continent.

Later that same year, an invitation from a former student already teaching in Switzerland brought Melo to Basel, where he stepped into a more active role within the European BJJ scene. The move marked the beginning of a new chapter — one defined by the transmission of jiu-jitsu knowledge and the cultivation of students in a region where the sport was still finding its footing. Reflecting on his journey, Melo has expressed deep gratitude toward those who shaped his path: his father Cosmo Dias, Marco Loro, Jair Lourenco, André Pederneiras, Vitor Ribeiro, and Wendell Alexander — individuals he regards as carrying permanent significance in his life.