Allan Goes

Full Name: Allan Alexandre Góes

Date of Birth: April 20, 1971

Place of Birth: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Allan Góes

Rank: 7th Degree Red-and-Black Belt (Coral Belt)

Weight Division: Heavyweight (Peso Pesado)

Team/Association: Carlson Gracie Academy / Brazilian Top Team (BTT)

Favorite Technique: Armbar

Early Life and Childhood
Allan Alexandre Góes was born on April 20, 1971, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was introduced to sports at a very young age by his grandfather, Alcides Goes, a Judo expert. When his grandfather grew too old to continue training him, Allan sought out free Jiu-Jitsu classes at the “Radar” academy in Copacabana, led by Master Manimal. Despite the grueling 4:00 AM class time, it was his only option for free tuition in the neighborhood.

In 1983, while competing as a yellow belt in Teresópolis, Allan won his very first medal. Legendary Master Carlson Gracie happened to be in the stands. Seeing immense potential in the young boy, Carlson asked Master Manimal to move Allan to the juvenile class at the world-renowned Carlson Gracie School, giving him access to tougher sparring partners.

Overcoming Adversity and Rising Through the Ranks
Growing up in the favelas (slums) of Rio de Janeiro, Allan faced a difficult childhood marked by severe financial scarcity. He eventually fell into trouble with the law and spent time in a tough youth detention center called FEBEM.

When he was released at age 16, Carlson Gracie took Allan entirely under his wing, bringing him to live at his own home. Living alongside the master accelerated Allan’s technical growth and matured his character. He went on a phenomenal winning streak in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, suffering only one recorded loss (to Fernando Gurgel as a brown belt) before earning his black belt and briefly serving in the Brazilian Paratroopers.

Professional Career and the Luta Livre Rivalry
As a coach in the Botafogo neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Allan found himself in the crosshairs of Luta Livre (a rival grappling art) practitioners during the height of the infamous BJJ vs. Luta Livre rivalry of the 1980s and 1990s. At one point, a group of 20 Luta Livre men led by Eugenio Tadeu cornered Allan at his gym to intimidate him into leaving. Years later, showcasing remarkable sportsmanship, Allan ran into Tadeu and Hugo Duarte lost and unable to speak English in Buffalo, New York. Forgetting past hostilities, Allan helped them navigate the city and even cornered them for their MMA fights.

The Move to MMA and the United States
Allan Góes was a true pioneer of mixed martial arts (MMA) and one of the very first Carlson Gracie representatives to move to the Northern Hemisphere, paving the way for future Brazilian coaches.

He fought globally in some of the world’s most prestigious promotions, including:

PRIDE Fighting Championships

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

International Fight League (IFL)

Meca World Vale Tudo

During his early days in the United States, Allan worked closely with Joe Moreira. While cornering Moreira at UFC 8, Allan famously got into a backstage altercation with David “Tank” Abbott. The rivalry spilled over into the fighter hotel the following day, nearly resulting in a massive brawl before it was broken up with the help of fighter Kimo Leopoldo.

Team Transition and Legacy
In the early 2000s, Allan joined a group of prominent Carlson Gracie students—including Zé Mario Sperry, Murilo Bustamante, and “Bebeo” Duarte—who broke away following internal disputes to form the legendary Brazilian Top Team (BTT).

Today, Allan Góes is recognized as a 7th-degree red-and-black belt (coral belt), a testament to his lifelong dedication, pioneering spirit, and elite status in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts history.