Rodrigo Siqueira's progression through the belt ranks ran in parallel with a deepening relationship with his instructor, Luciano Nucci. Casquinha had earned his black belt under Ryan Gracie, representing the RG Academy throughout his competitive career, and he carried that lineage and competitive seriousness into his teaching.
From the earliest stages of his BJJ journey, Siqueira committed fully to the sport — competing and coaching in equal measure. By 2009, as a brown belt, he had structured his life entirely around jiu-jitsu, coaching at Casquinha's gym while supported through sponsorships, functioning in every practical sense as a professional grappler.
In December 2010, Luciano Nucci awarded Siqueira his black belt — a promotion that recognized both his competitive accomplishments and his proven value as an instructor and contributor to the gym's culture.
A significant institutional transition followed in the early 2010s. After the death of Ryan Gracie in 2007, the RG Academy network gradually fragmented. Seeking a more structured curriculum and stronger organizational support for his students, Casquinha chose to leave the RGA and align with Alliance Jiu-Jitsu. Siqueira made that transition alongside his master, beginning a new chapter within one of the most established and competitive teams in the sport.