Tiago Rocha

Born in 1982 in Monte Carmelo, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Tiago Rocha demonstrated an early affinity for martial arts that would shape the course of his life. At 8, he began formal training in karate, building the discipline and focus that would carry him through decades of practice and competition. By 11, he had transitioned to kung fu — a shift that also marked his entry into competitive tournaments and began forging the competitive mindset that would later translate powerfully onto the BJJ mats.

At 14, Rocha relocated to Uberlândia to pursue his academic studies, temporarily stepping away from competitive martial arts. Moving in with his uncle and aunt, it was his cousin who introduced him to Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The introduction proved defining — Rocha showed a natural aptitude for the sport from the outset, quickly distinguishing himself among his early training partners.

Rocha worked with several instructors in his early BJJ years before finding the coach who would shape his development most profoundly. His definitive jiu-jitsu education began under Elan Santiago, who dedicated four years to cultivating the sport in the Uberlândia region. The environment Santiago built produced an exceptional generation of athletes — Rocha trained alongside Lucas Lepri, Gabriel Goulart, and Claudio Silva, all of whom would go on to make their marks at the highest levels of Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

When Santiago returned to Rio de Janeiro, Rocha and the senior students assumed responsibility for running classes — an early demonstration of the leadership qualities that would later define his coaching career. The Minas Gerais group subsequently affiliated with Fernando Terere's TT academy in São Paulo, training under that banner until TT was dismantled in 2006. That same year, Rocha and his training partners transitioned to Alliance under Fábio Gurgel, one of the most decorated teams in the history of the sport.

In November 2009, following a series of strong performances on the international circuit, Fábio Gurgel promoted Tiago Rocha to the rank of black belt — with Elan Santiago present at the ceremony, a meaningful tribute to the lineage that had shaped Rocha's journey.

Rocha operates a BJJ academy in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, carrying forward the tradition of high-level jiu-jitsu development that Elan Santiago originally established in the region. His work as a coach has produced tangible results on the competitive stage, with students such as Fernando Andrade Reis, Renata Marinho, and João Paulo Ferreira emerging as notable competitors under his instruction.

Through his academy, Rocha extends Alliance's reach into Minas Gerais, serving as a bridge between the team's championship-level culture and the regional development of the sport. His coaching approach reflects both the technical standards instilled by his own instructors and the competitive experience he accumulated across years of high-level competition.

Rocha's competitive record reflects consistent excellence across multiple belt levels and age divisions. At brown belt, he claimed gold at the IBJJF Pan American Championship in 2008, announcing himself as a serious force on the international stage. After receiving his black belt in November 2009, he continued to test himself against the sport's elite.

In 2013, Rocha placed third at the CBJJ Brazilian National Championship. In 2014, he reached the pinnacle of the IBJJF Pan American Championship once more, this time earning gold in the black belt Master 1 division — a performance he backed with a third-place finish at the same event in 2015, underscoring his sustained excellence in the category. In 2016, Rocha competed at the IBJJF Las Vegas International Open Championship, reaching the final in his weight division while also claiming third place in the absolute, a double performance that speaks to his competitive longevity. He competes in the Peso Médio division (82.30 kg / 181.5 lbs).

Rocha's identity extends well beyond his accomplishments as a competitor and coach. He holds a degree in History from the Federal University of Uberlândia — a testament to the academic drive that first brought him to the city as a teenager. The combination of intellectual discipline and martial arts mastery reflects a well-rounded approach to personal development that has characterized his life throughout.

In parallel with his BJJ career, Rocha incorporated judo into his training to broaden his grappling foundation. His commitment to the discipline was thorough: in 2015, he earned a black belt in judo, making him a dual black belt across two of the world's most respected grappling arts. This cross-disciplinary dedication not only enriched his own technical game but also deepens the comprehensive martial arts education he brings to his students in Uberlândia.