The world started to take notice of the talent coming out of Mario Reis’ academy when his student Nicholas Meregali started winning the World Championships year after year in the lower ranks. 

When Meregali went on to win the heavyweight division his first year as a black belt, the world knew something special was going on down in Porto Alegre.

This year, Reis is bringing a team of over thirty competitors to Long Beach to put their brand of Alliance jiu-jitsu to the test once again. And there are two colored belts in particular that you should keep an eye on this year; Lucas Gualberto and Murilo Amaral.

Watch IBJJF 2018 World Championships LIVE on FloGrappling

Dates: May 30 – June 4 | Time: 9 AM PST

Lucas Gualberto - Purple Belt Middleweight

Gualberto made a big splash onto our radar after beating Atos’ Rolando Junior in the purple belt middleweight final at 2018 Pans. That’s not the only big win for the young 20-year-old from Piaui, Brazil, however. He has also placed second at Worlds and is a two-time Brazilian National Champion.

Gualberto recently joined Mario Reis’ team, moving down to Porto Alegre just six months ago. Before that he trained with Fabio Gurgel at the Alliance HQ for the prior year and a half. He has been training jiu-jitsu for ten years and left home at only 17 years old to chase his dream of becoming a world champion.

A natural guard player, Gualberto was later inspired by the game of Rodolfo Vieira to start passing and has since become dangerous from both sides of the guard. He’s a scrappy fighter who leaves it all on the mat when he competes.

When asked about his style, Gualberto replied:

“I always fight with all of my heart. My heart is what gives me the strength to pass or attack from guard when I need to. My heart is what will help me to achieve my dream of becoming world champion.”

The purple belt has always competed at lightweight but this year made the move to middleweight. He plans to compete in the absolute division at this year’s IBJJF World Championship.

Watch: Lucas Gualberto vs Ronaldo Junior at the 2018 IBJJF Pan Championship

Murilo Amaral - Brown Belt Featherweight

The intensely competitive black belt featherweight division will soon receive another dangerous Alliance prospect as Murilo Amaral is finishing up his third year in the brown strap. 

The 24-year-old from Santo Antônio, the same town as teammate Nicholas Meregali, arrived to Mario Reis’ academy as a purple belt and has been living at the gym for the last four years. He started his jiu-jitsu journey at a Reis’ affiliate and was co-promoted to brown belt by both Reis and his original instructor. 

Amaral won the UAEJJF World Pro twice, in 2016 and 2017, the Rio Grand Slam in 2017, and just recently earned his biggest accomplishment; gold at Brazilian Nationals. 

When asked about his recent success Amaral explained it was not something that came over night. It was the result of four years of hard work. Something that him and Mario Reis have been working for together.

The gold at Brasileiros was validation for all that hard work.

When asked about competing in the extremely difficult featherweight division Amaral responded:

“You’ve got all types of games in the featherweight division. Some [guys] like guard, some pass, some are strong, but whatever happens it’s going be a WAR.”

He is currently refining his game for Mundials in June. He says he’s doing the best he can to become world champion and will leave it all on the mat come showtime. 

Watch: Murilo Amaral vs Marlus De Souza at 2017 UAEJJF Rio Grand Slam