Marcelo Azevedo

Marcelo Azevedo, known throughout the BJJ community by his nickname Uirapuru, was born on July 7, 1975, in Brazil. His martial arts journey began long before he ever stepped onto a BJJ mat — at age 10, Azevedo took up Capoeira, the Brazilian martial art that fuses combat, acrobatics, and rhythm. That foundation built a sharp kinesthetic awareness and a deep connection to martial movement that would carry him far.

The turning point came at age 16, following the arrival of Vinicius Magalhães in Belo Horizonte. That move brought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu within reach, and Azevedo made the transition, finding in BJJ a discipline that would define his life. Training under Vinicius Draculino at Gracie Barra Belo Horizonte, his development as a grappler accelerated rapidly.

Decorated Colored Belt Career

Azevedo's colored belt years were defined by consistent excellence on the national and international stage. He claimed the CBJJ Brazilian National Championship at blue belt in 1998 and purple belt in 2000, while also capturing IBJJF Pan American titles at blue belt in 1999 and purple belt in 2000. His brown belt campaign proved equally dominant, culminating in an IBJJF World Championship title in 2002 — the very same year Vinicius Draculino awarded him his black belt on December 17, 2002. It was a milestone that capped one of the most decorated colored belt careers in Gracie Barra's history.

Azevedo carried his competitive momentum seamlessly into the black belt division. In 2003 and 2004, he earned third-place finishes at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals, and in 2004 he reached the podium at the IBJJF World Championship at black belt, finishing third. That same year, he contributed to Gracie Barra's CBJJ Brazilian National Teams Championship — demonstrating his value not only as an individual competitor, but as a cornerstone of a powerful team.

Testing the Cage

Beyond the gi, Azevedo tested himself in mixed martial arts, stepping into the cage against elite-level opposition. Bouts against Renato Sobral and Jorge Rivera placed him against fighters of the highest caliber, reflecting his willingness to compete wherever the challenge was greatest.

Masters Division Dominance

Azevedo's longevity as a competitor stands as one of the defining features of his athletic career. At the 2008 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship, he claimed gold in the Master division, adding a no-gi world title to an already formidable résumé. A third-place finish at the 2009 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship in the Master division followed, proving his competitive edge had not diminished with time. In 2012, Azevedo delivered one of his most impressive late-career performances, capturing both the IBJJF World Master & Seniors Championship and the IBJJF International Masters & Seniors Championship at the Senior 1 level — a remarkable demonstration of sustained elite performance across multiple decades.

When Vinicius Draculino relocated to the United States, Azevedo stepped naturally into the role of head coach at Gracie Barra Belo Horizonte headquarters. Having absorbed both the technical curriculum of Gracie Barra and the coaching philosophy that made the academy one of Brazil's most respected, he took charge of the flagship Belo Horizonte location — a responsibility that reflected his standing within the organization.

International Reach

Azevedo's career as an instructor extended well beyond Belo Horizonte. He taught BJJ across Europe, with stints in Spain and Holland, bringing the Gracie Barra methodology to international audiences and helping grow the sport on the continent. He also spent time teaching in Houston, Texas, broadening his reach within the United States.

Building Champions

After his time abroad, Azevedo returned to the United States to head a Gracie Barra academy in Pearland, Texas, continuing to expand the organization's presence in the American market. Throughout his coaching career, his most significant contribution may be the world champions he helped shape. Azevedo played an instrumental role in developing Pablo Silva and Felipe Preguiça, both of whom went on to claim world titles — a testament to his ability to identify and cultivate talent at the highest levels of the sport.