Andre Almeida Dedeco

Main Achievements

• 1st Place — CBJJ Brazilian National Champion (1996 Brown Belt)
• 1st Place — IBJJF Miami Open Champion (2011 Senior 1)
• 3x 1st Place — Rio de Janeiro State Champion (1994 / 1995 / 1996)
• 1st Place — Estadual de Niterói Champion (1998)
• 1st Place — Akxe Cup Champion (1994)
• 2nd Place — IBJJF Pan American Championship (2000)
• 3rd Place — IBJJF Pan American Championship (1999)

Overview

André “Dedeco” Almeida is a highly respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, the founder of the Best Way BJJ Association, and a prominent leader within the global American Top Team (ATT) network. Renowned for his exceptional teaching pedagogy and deep tactical expertise, Dedeco has spent decades shaping elite competitors and growing the martial arts infrastructure across both Brazil and the United States.

Biography

Growing up in Rio de Janeiro, André struggled with self-confidence issues. Following a doctor’s recommendation to practice a martial art to help build his self-esteem, 15-year-old André and his parents sought out the academy of the legendary master Ricardo De La Riva. André fell in love with the art immediately. Under De La Riva’s tutelage, he progressed all the way from white belt to brown belt.

Around this time, seeking a shift in his training environment, André transitioned to the “Fight Center” gym in Barra da Tijuca, opened by Rinaldo Santos. The head coach at the facility was the iconic Vale Tudo and Carlson Gracie veteran Crézio de Souza. It was Crézio who ultimately awarded Dedeco his black belt in 1997, alongside training partner Adalberto “Buda” de Souza.

Shortly after, André partnered with Alexey Cruz to open an academy in Rio de Janeiro, which led to the official creation of the Best Way Jiu-Jitsu Association in 1996. The academy became a major regional success, molding several phenomenal athletes. In 2004, André received an invitation from Ricardo Libório to relocate to the United States. He moved to Boston, Massachusetts, effectively merging his Best Way enterprise as an affiliate under the expanding American Top Team banner.

Origin of the Nickname

The moniker “Dedeco” is a traditional, affectionate Portuguese diminutive for names ending in or relating to “André.” The nickname was originally given to him by his very first instructor, Master Ricardo De La Riva, during his early teenage years at the academy.

Elite Black Belts Produced

Throughout his exceptionally prolific coaching career across Brazil and the United States, Master Dedeco has graduated over 30 black belts. His most notable students went on to become major international competitors and co-found the powerhouse Soul Fighters team:

• Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa
• Leandro “Tatu” Escobar
• Rafael Rebello
• Michael DeLuca