Wellington Luis

Wellington Luís was born on January 24, 1993, in the Ipiranga neighbourhood of São Paulo, Brazil — just a few blocks from Projecto Social Lutando Pelo Bem (PSLPB), the academy run by Cicero Costha. That geographical proximity would prove decisive in shaping his future. At 16, a group of friends introduced him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and encouraged him to train at the nearby PSLPB academy. While those friends eventually stepped away from the sport, Wellington discovered something in the art that kept drawing him back. Rather than following his peers out the door, he committed fully to BJJ and made the deliberate decision to pursue it as a professional career.

Wellington earned every colored belt under the direct guidance of Cicero Costha at Projecto Social Lutando Pelo Bem (PSLPB), developing within an environment shaped by some of Brazil's most talented competitors. Key figures such as Helio Dias, Leandro Lo, and Thiago Barros played instrumental roles in his growth, providing both the competitive atmosphere and mentorship that accelerated his progression through the ranks.

Colored Belt Achievements

Wellington's results on the competition circuit validated the quality of his preparation at every stage. At purple belt, he claimed gold at the AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro in 2013, announcing himself as a legitimate force at the international level. He carried that momentum into brown belt, winning the IBJJF São Paulo Open in 2014 before returning to the AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro in 2015 to claim the title a second time — a remarkable display of consistency across belt levels. That same year, he reached the final of the IBJJF World Championship at brown belt, earning a silver medal at one of the sport's most prestigious events. He also captured the AJP Grand Slam RJ title at the colored belt level in 2016. Recognizing the body of work Wellington had assembled, Cicero Costha awarded him his black belt in July 2015, marking the culmination of a standout journey through the lower ranks.

In late September 2015, a significant shift occurred within the PSLPB structure when a group of the team's top competitors departed to establish the Jiu-Jitsu New School Brotherhood. Wellington was among those who made the move, joining Leandro Lo, Luiza Monteiro, Helio Dias, Gustavo Braguinha, Ygor Schneider, and Anderson Lira in founding the new team. The departure represented a meaningful realignment within the Brazilian competitive BJJ landscape, consolidating several of the country's most prominent athletes under a single banner. New School Brotherhood became the team under which Wellington continued his black belt career, competing in the Peso Leve division (76kg/168lbs) and representing Brazil on the international stage.

Wellington Luís has maintained a consistent presence at the elite level throughout his black belt career, competing under the nickname "Alemão" on the international circuit. In 2020, he captured the AJP Grand Slam RJ title at black belt, demonstrating the kind of longevity that defines high-level competitors. He also earned a silver medal at the IBJJF South American Championships in 2019, confirming his standing among the top athletes in his weight class across the continent.

Sustained Podium Presence

His career has extended into the 2020s with a series of strong podium finishes. Wellington placed third at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals in both 2022 and 2023, reflecting sustained competitiveness at the national championship level. He reached the podium at the CBJJ South Brazil Championship in 2022 and added a third-place finish at the IBJJF European Open in 2023, extending his competitive footprint beyond South America and reinforcing his reputation as one of the Peso Leve division's most durable performers.