Joe Moreira
| Joe Moreira | |
|---|---|
| Born |
July 3, 1961 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Residence | Newport Beach, California, United States |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Ruas Vale Tudo |
| Teacher(s) | Carlson Gracie, Sr., Reyson Gracie, Reylson Gracie, Rolls Gracie, Mauricio LaCerda, Francisco Mansour |
| Rank |
8th degree red and black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 3rd degree black belt in Judo 1st degree black belt in Luta Livre |
| Website | Official Website |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Jose Carlos Moreira (born July 3, 1961 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and a former mixed martial artist.
Joe was born inside a taxicab in front of a Rio de Janeiro hospital. His dark skin and blond hair prompted the affectionate nickname of "Macaco." By age five, Moreira's older brother, Marcos, influenced the youngster to start fighting in Judo. His first title for the Gama Filho University team was won by age six. Around that time he began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu career under the tutelage of Mauricio LaCerda.
At age nine, he began training in Jiu-Jitsu at the schools of the legendary Carlson and Rolls Gracie, where he was taught mainly by Reyson Gracie and Pinduka. Across the street there was another studio owned and operated by Reylson Gracie, another son of the legendary Carlos Gracie. A chance visit to the studio resulted in Moreira spending the next 15 years under the tutelage of Reylson, who took a liking to the young fighter's style and groomed him to become an instructor. During this period with Master Reylson, Moreira also learned to produce tournaments and championships. This would later help him to organize one of the most important Jiu-Jitsu tournaments in Brazil, including the first international Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu event, Atlantico Sul.
Another respected Jiu-Jitsu master, Francisco Mansour, awarded Moreira his black belt in 1984. By competing in the most important Jiu-Jitsu tournaments of the 1980s, such as Copa Company, Copa Lightning Bolts and Copa Cantao, Moreira's collection of titles grew. His participation in such events garnered Moreira's respect and recognition as one of the toughest fighters of his time.
Around that time, the Gracie family was always looking for tough opponents to take on the undefeated Rickson Gracie. It wasn't long before Moreira accepted the challenge to face his idol twice in the same competition (weight - category final and absolute) despite not having good partners with whom to train. Although he was submitted in both matches, Moreira gave the Jiu-Jitsu legend something he was not used to: a tough fight. Following these bouts, a great friendship evolved between the two fighters.
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Wikipedia