Choosing the Right Environment
Recognizing that his competitive ambitions demanded a more rigorous training environment, Loureiro made the deliberate move to enroll at Mário Reis' academy as a blue belt. That decision placed him within the Alliance competition structure — one of Brazil's most accomplished and demanding programs — and accelerated his development as a grappler.
Balancing Education, Work, and Elite Competition
Loureiro's path through the ranks was anything but linear. While training toward his black belt, he simultaneously earned a university degree in physical education and held multiple roles at his family's gym as a technical advisor, coordinator, and personal trainer. The ability to manage those responsibilities alongside a high-level competition schedule reflected the work ethic that would define his entire career.
A Decorated Colored Belt Record
His brown belt campaign stands among the most accomplished of his generation, producing 32 gold medals across Brazilian and international circuits. Key highlights include the IBJJF World Championship title at purple belt in 2012, followed by the CBJJ Brazilian National Championship and the IBJJF South American Championship at brown belt in 2014. He also captured the Grapplers Quest Las Vegas No-Gi title in 2013, and narrowly missed gold at the IBJJF World No-Gi Championship that same year, earning a silver medal at brown belt — a result that underscored his readiness for the sport's highest level.
At 24, having completed his degree, Loureiro committed to pursuing grappling full-time. That singular focus accelerated his ascent, and on June 22, 2015, Mário Reis promoted him to black belt — a recognition earned through years of sacrifice, academic discipline, and an extraordinary record on the competition circuit.
