Table of content
1. Melissa Stricker Cueto Details
Name | Melissa Stricker Cueto |
Nickname | Mel |
Born | Rio Grande do Sul |
Current Residence | Brazil |
Date of Birth | June 21, 1990, |
Nationality | Brazilian |
College/University | Florida State University |
Last Fight | 21 July 2022 |
Last Weigh In | 174 lbs (79.0 kg) |
Weight Class | Meio-Pesado (74 kg / 163.5 lbs) |
Weight | 174 lbs (79.0 kg) |
Height | N/A |
Career Disclosed Earnings | N/A |
Fighting out of | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
Foundational style | BJJ & Taekwondo |
FavoriteTechnique | Spider Guard |
Rank | Black belt |
Awarded By | Leo Morosetti |
Head Coach | Leo Morosetti |
Lineage | Carlos Gracie -> Helio Gracie -> Carlson Gracie -> Amauri Bitetti -> Marcio Pinheiro -> Leo Morosetti -> Melissa Cueto |
Team/Association | Alliance San Diego |
2. Melissa Stricker Cueto Biography
Melissa Cueto is a leading Jiu-Jitsu black belt supervised by Leo Moretti. Cueto not only practiced BJJ with Leo but also trained and won many bouts. After basic training, Cueto joined Gracie Humaita for a few months and later joined Alliance Academy. Melissa is regarded as a top BJJ grappler by the Jiu-Jitsu community. Melissa was a born star, she earned two times as South American Champion at the Purple Belt level. Two times South Brasileiros Silver Medalist and two times South Brazilian Champion.
2.1. Melissa Stricker Cueto Early Days
Melissa Cueto, a 32 years old Black Belt BJJ fighter was born in Pelotas in Rio Grande do Sul on 21 June 1990.
From the early years of her life, she actively participated in different sports. She liked to watch martial arts and the Olympic games and used to practice them with her friends in the town.
Melissa's parents were not fond of sports but they never stopped her from these healthy activities. When she was a teenager, she stepped into the striking combat sport known as Taekwondo.
2.2. Melissa Stricker Cueto’s BJJ Journey
In her early teens, Mel found some kids practicing martial arts on the mats. She had ample knowledge of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu before but was not fully aware of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques and philosophies. After watching the kids rolling and sparring, her interest in Jiu-Jitsu increased and it was a time when she decided to start brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
When Melissa's parents heard about her plan, they were shocked. In the 1990s BJJ was considered a violent sport. Most of the parents associated Jiu-Jitsu with the promotion of violent behavior.
Melissa Got Permission to Enroll in Martial Arts
That's the reason Cueto’s parents were averse to her decision and wanted to pursue her career in Taekwondo. They tried to stop their daughter from adopting a violent culture. For Melissa, it was a very tough time.
When Mel was 17 years old, she managed to convince her parents and assured them she would not be part of any violence at all. Then finally in her teens, her parents allowed Mel to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Then, Cueto never looked back and dedicated her whole life to BJJ.
“I have been training for 15 years. I always liked fights and the first fight I did was in taekwondo; before I started jiu-jitsu, it was the style that I practiced. I was passing in front of a jiu-jitsu academy and I decided to go in and see what it was like. And after that, I stopped taekwondo and never gave up jiu-jitsu.”
2.3. Melissa Cueto’s Coach
Melissa’s BJJ training was initiated under the supervision of Antonio Pedro Dias (Kapincho). Pedro trained Mel from her journey of White to Brown belt rank. Mel fought in several competitions and secured medals against the high-profile competitors of Jiu-Jitsu.
She was disturbed in those days when she found Leonardo Morosetti, a pro-BJJ fighter, and elite coach. She knew Leonardo when she was a Blue Belt. Mel thought to discuss her problem with him and it was a surprise for Cueto that Leonardo agreed to guide her in combat sports.
2.4 Melissa Stricker Cuetos Black Belt
Leonardo Morosetti started coaching Mel and motivated her to prepare for the Black Belt competitions. In December 2018, coach Leonardo Morosetti awarded Mel with Black Belt.
In her early black belt time, Melissa began to surprise everyone. She secured potential victories against experienced opponents like Luanna Alzuguir and Maria Malyjasiak during the 2019 IBJJF Worlds.
Afterward, in 2019, Melissa became part of the Alliance Association and represented her team at the international level. It was when she joined the Alliance team that she started to tread on international wins. She won her first IBJJF World Championship as a Black Belt in a very tough competitive heavyweight category. She continued her winning streak in 2022 and won the Heavyweight division of IBJJF Pans.
The Fighting Style of Melissa Stricker
Mal is famous for her aggressive & fighting style, offensive spider guards, and intensely technical sweeps with advanced submission executing style, a typical Alliance Fighter.
On her achievements, Melissa shared:
"We never give up on what we want, that's why God exists so that we always have faith. And never give up on your goal and be calm at this hour and let it happen naturally or it's going to get ugly.”
Future Plans of Melissa Striker
Melissa shared her future plans in an interview:
“Unfortunately, I had a lot of plans for the year but I was injured before Worlds. Now my main objective is to heal and be 100% ready for Worlds next year. If possible, I intend to compete in the World Masters in the coming months, but the main objective is to be 100% ready for next year’s Worlds. I want to be Open Class champion in 2023.”
Melissa’s Advice for Youth
“I would tell them to never give up on their goals, whether in or out of jiu-jitsu. I have always lived in the countryside of Brazil, and many times I had doubts if I would make it. But even so, I did not stop believing and did what I could with what I had at that moment. If you are able to work hard for it, you can be sure that the goal will be achieved.”
2.5. Melissa Stricker Cueto Historic Fights
Melissa Stricker vs Izadora Silva
Melissa and Cristina faced each other at the final of the 2021 World Championship. An extraordinary lapel X-guard action was shown by Melissa in the second minute of the fight.
Then both fighters got involved in the bear trap action.
It was an elite show of advanced grappling techniques. Then they got tangled in a Dela Pela X of Dela Hiva Lapel guard. At 5:18 into the fight, Melissa passed the guard, Silva gave up her back and Melissa applied a back choke and became the Gold Medalist of the 2021 World Championship by submission.
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Stage | Weight Class | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | IBJJF World Championship | Izadora Silva | Win | Submission | F | Heavyweight | California |
Melissa Stricker vs Elisabeth Clay
The final of IBJJF American National, was held between Elisabeth Clay and Melissa Stricker.It was a historic one in the Medium Heavyweight class. Elisabeth's attempt for guard and ankle lock left Mel immovable in that position.
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Weight Class | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | IBJJF American National | Elisabeth Clay | Loss | Straight Ankle Lock | Medium Heavyweight | Las Vegas |
Melissa Stricker vs Maria Malyjasiak
In the Pan Championship both athletes, Maria and Melissa, fought very aggressively. Maria was famous for her leg locks, devastating Knee bars and toe holds. Melissa is an all-rounder but her famous technique is a straight armbar.
Mel was leading on the scoreboard by 3 points. But she gave her back and tapped to the RNC of Maria.
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Weight Class | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Maria Malyjasiak | Loss | Submission (RNC) | Heavyweight | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
2.6. Melissa Stricker Cueto Achievements and Accomplishments
Year | Event | Belt | Medal |
---|---|---|---|
2021 | IBJJF World Championship | Black Belt | Gold |
2022 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Black Belt | Gold |
2019 | UAEJJF Gramado Pro | Black Belt | Gold |
2019 | IBJJF American Nationals | Black Belt | Silver |
2019 | IBJJF World Championship | Black Belt | Bronze |
2019 | Brazilian Nationals | Black Belt | Bronze |
2.7. Melissa Stricker Cueto BJJ Rankings
Rank | Title |
---|---|
4 | Adults |
5 | World Master |
11 | Adult Grand Slam |
3 | Master Grand Slam |
3. Melissa Stricker Cueto Achievements ( Belts )
3.1. Black Belt
Position | Belt | Event | Year |
---|---|---|---|
1st | Black | Miami Open | 2010 |
3.2. Colored Belt
Year | Event | Belt | Position |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | IBJJF World Championship | Brown | 1st Place |
2016 | IBJJF South American Championship | Purple | 1st Place |
2017 | IBJJF World Championship | Purple | 1st Place |
2015 | IBJJF South Brazilian Championship | Purple | 1st Place |
2016 | IBJJF South Brazilian Championship | Purple | 1st Place |
2018 | IBJJF Brazilian Nationals | Brown | 1st Place |
2014 | Brazilian Nationals | Blue | 2nd Place |
2016 | Brazilian Nationals | Blue | 2nd Place |
2017 | Brazilian Nationals | Purple | 2nd Place |
2016 | IBJJF South American Championship | Purple | 2nd Place |
2017 | IBJJF South American Championship | Purple | 2nd Place |
2016 | IBJJF South Brazilian Championship | Purple | 3rd Place |
2016 | Brazilian Nationals | Purple | 3rd Place |
4. Melissa Stricker Cueto BJJ Professional Record Breakdown
Professional Jiu-Jitsu Record Breakdown | ||
---|---|---|
Matches 35 | Wins 20 | Losses 15 |
By Submission | 6 | 4 |
By Points | 7 | 5 |
By Decision | 0 | 2 |
By Advantage | 2 | 0 |
Other | 5 | 4 |
4.1. Submission Methods W/L
Submission Method | Wins | Losse |
---|---|---|
Choke | 2 | 2 |
Straight Ankle Lock | 1 | 1 |
Americana | 0 | 1 |
Armbar | 1 | 0 |
Choke from Back | 2 | 0 |
5. Melissa Stricker Cueto BJJ Fight History
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Weight |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | 2022 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship | R. Guedes | L | Points | Heavyweight |
2022 | Pan IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Championship 2022 | G. Pessanha | L | Decision | Absolute Division |
2022 | Pan IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Championship 2022 | M. Grindatti | W | Other | Heavyweight |
2022 | 2022 Pan Jiu Jitsu IBJJF Championship | G. Pessanha | L | Decision | Absolute Division |
2022 | 2022 Pan Jiu Jitsu IBJJF Championship | L. Almeida | W | Advantage | Heavyweight |
2022 | 2022 IBJJF Dallas Open | L. Dias | L | Points | Light Heavyweight |
2021 | 2021 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship | I. Silva | W | Other | Heavyweight |
2021 | 2021 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship | G. Carvalho | W | Other | Heavyweight |
2021 | 2021 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship | M. Grindatti | W | Advantage | Heavyweight |
2021 | 2021 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship | C. Paixao | W | Points | Heavyweight |
2021 | Fight to Win 183 | J. Pendell | W | Armbar | N/A |
2021 | 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship | M. Grindatti | W | Points | Heavyweight |
2021 | 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship | S. Rice | W | Choke From the Back | Heavyweight |
2021 | 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship | M. Malyjasiak | L | Choke | Heavyweight |
2021 | 2021 American National IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship | E. Clay | L | Straight Ankle Lock | Medium Heavyweight |
2021 | 2021 IBJJF Houston Open | E. Silva | W | Other | Medium Heavyweight |
2021 | 2021 IBJJF Houston Open | J. Swanson | W | Other | Absolute Division |
2021 | 2021 IBJJF Orlando Open | J. Case | L | Other | Absolute Division |
2021 | 2021 IBJJF Orlando Open | E. Silva | L | Other | Medium Heavyweight |
2020 | 2020 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship | C. North | L | Americana | Middleweight |
2019 | 2019 Pantheon Invitational | B. Palheta | W | Points | 70kgs |
2019 | 2019 Pantheon Invitational | E. Clay | L | Points | Medium Heavyweight |
2019 | 2019 Pantheon Invitational | T. Silva | L | Other | 70kgs |
2019 | 2019 Pantheon Invitational | B. Pereira | W | Points | 70kgs |
2019 | 2019 Pantheon Invitational | L. Almeida | L | Points | 70kgs |
2019 | 2019 Pantheon Invitational | L. Nascimento | W | Other | 70kgs |
2019 | 2019 Pantheon Invitational | R. Guedes | L | Points | 70kgs |
2019 | 2019 Pantheon Invitational | C. Huggins | W | Points | 70kgs |
2019 | 2019 Pantheon Invitational | B. Pereira | W | Points | 70kgs |
2019 | 2019 Pantheon Invitational | I. Sousa | W | Points | 70kgs |
2019 | 2019 Pantheon Invitational | R. Marinho | W | Other | 70kgs |
2019 | 2019 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship | L. Alzuguir | W | Other | Absolute Division |
2019 | 2019 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship | B. Mesquita | L | Other | Absolute Division |
2019 | 2019 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship | L. Montiero | L | Other | Medium Heavyweight |
2019 | 2019 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship | M. Malyjasiak | W | Other | Medium Heavyweight |
6. Melissa Stricker Cueto Top Fights
Elisabeth Clay VS Melissa Cueto / Dallas Open 2021
Melissa Cueto v Margaret Grindatti / World Championship 2021
Emilly Alves v Melissa Cueto / Orlando Open 2021
Gabrieli Pessanha v Melissa Stricker / Pan Championship 2022
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