Wilson Pereira Mattos

Overview

Master Wilson Pereira Mattos (born in 1951) is a 9th-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu red belt. Affectionately nicknamed “Shihan” (Master in Japanese) by his students, he is a prominent and highly respected figure stemming from the non-Gracie lineage of Grand Master Oswaldo Fadda.

A Volatile Youth and the 10-Man Test

Taming the Temper: Mattos began training under Oswaldo Fadda in 1956 at just 5 years old. As a child and teenager, he possessed a fierce temper that frequently led to altercations inside the dojo, resulting in several formal suspensions. Despite the disciplinary hurdles, Fadda refused to give up on him. Over time, Jiu-Jitsu instilled the profound discipline Mattos needed, helping him transform into a highly respected community role model.

The Black Belt Gauntlet: In 1970, at the age of 18, Mattos was put forward for his black belt. Because formal, regulated tournaments were rare at the time, his promotion test required him to run a grueling gauntlet, successfully defeating 10 of the academy’s top brown belts in back-to-back, closed-door bouts.

Coaching Excellence and Global Expansion

Outperforming the Master: Immediately after receiving his black belt, Mattos began teaching in the Realengo neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. He quickly built a highly technical, competitive squad that went on to achieve the rare feat of defeating Master Fadda’s own central student base at a regional inter-club competition.

Equipe Mestre Wilson: His small neighborhood team eventually evolved into Equipe Mestre Wilson, a major international association with affiliate academies and active competitors spread across the globe, including Brazil, the United States, Australia, and Japan.

Reaching the Rank of Grand Master

The Coral Belt: In 1995, Mattos was awarded his 7th-degree red-and-black (coral) belt by the CBJJ during a formal ceremony in São Paulo at the Bonsai Academy.

The Red Belt: In