Max Carvalho

Full Name: Maximiliano de Figueiredo Carvalho

Nickname: “Max”

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jr. > José Olímpio > Max Carvalho

Weight Division: Meio Pesado (88.30 kg / 195.0 lbs)

Team / Association: ZR Team

Favorite Position/Technique: Closed Guard

Biography
Born on July 26, 1979, in Recife, Brazil, Max Carvalho is a highly accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and a critical pioneer of the sport in Central Europe. Growing up, Max’s interest in martial arts was sparked by action movies and video games, but he spent his youth primarily playing soccer. It wasn’t until 1998, when he witnessed Royce Gracie’s historic performances in the early UFC events, that he decided to take up Jiu-Jitsu.

Max immediately began training under the legendary José Olímpio (better known as “Zé Radiola”), an instructor famous for building world-class competitors. Max dedicated himself entirely to the art, rising through the ranks as one of Radiola’s top disciples.

A major turning point in Max’s career occurred in 2003 when a Hungarian martial artist named Zákonyi Bence visited Brazil. Blown away by the efficiency of Jiu-Jitsu, Bence invited Zé Radiola to Europe to conduct a series of seminars. Recognizing a massive opportunity to spread the sport in Hungary, Bence requested a full-time coach to establish roots there. Zé Radiola chose Max Carvalho for the mission.

In September 2004, Max relocated to Hungary and officially established a Radiola affiliate. Through extreme professionalism and the stellar competitive success of his students, Max’s reputation quickly grew. Under his direct guidance, the network expanded far beyond Hungary, planting successful affiliate academies across Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Slovakia, Greece, and Cyprus. In reward for his technical excellence and pioneering work, Max was awarded his black belt by Zé Radiola in November 2007.

Main Achievements
1st Place — IBJJF International Masters European Champion (2017)

1st Place — IBJJF European No-Gi Open Champion (2017)

1st Place — IBJJF London International Open Champion (2013)

1st Place — UKBJJF British National Champion (2015)

1st Place — UKBJJF British National No-Gi Champion (2015)

1st Place — IBJJF Munich Winter International Open Champion (2015)

2nd Place — IBJJF European No-Gi Open (2014 / 2016)

2nd Place — IBJJF Rome International Open (2014 / 2016)

2nd Place — UAEJJF Grand Slam Tour, London (2016)

3rd Place — IBJJF European Open (2015 / 2018 Master 1)

3rd Place — UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2016 Master 1)