Table of content
1. Wellington “Megaton” Dias’s Details
Name | Wellington Leal Dias Santos |
Nickname | Megaton |
Born | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
Age | 55 |
Date of Birth | 10/2/1967 |
Weight | 64 kg (141 lbs) 70 kg (154 lbs) |
Weight Division | Super Featherweight Featherweight |
Last Weigh-in | 76 kg (Lightweight) |
Height | N/A |
Foundational Style | BJJ |
Career Disclosed Earnings | N/A |
College University | N/A |
Rank | 7th Degree Coral Belt |
Head Coach | Royler Gracie |
Last Fight | Indianapolis International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2023 |
Favorite Technique | N/A |
Lineage | Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Hélio Gracie > Royler Gracie > Wellington Dias |
Team Association | Gracie Humaitá |
2. Wellington Dias’s Biography
Wellington Leal Dias Santos was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on October 2, 1967. He earned fame due to actively participating in grappling and his love for competition. Dias participated in 16 IBJJF World Championships.
2.1. Started Martial Arts Career in Judo
Dias started his martial arts career learning judo during childhood. He trained at Rogeério Camões’s judo academy in 1970. Currently, Dias is a 3rd-degree black belt in Judo.
2.2. Introduction to Royler Gracie
Dias and Royler Gracie were originally neighbors and often went surfing together. During his time at Camões’s academy, Dias became training partners with Royler. Later, Royler would become Dias’s BJJ coach.
2.3. Started BJJ Training
While still training in judo, Royler invited Dias to come to his gym to train in jiu-jitsu. Dias accepted the invitation and joined Gracie Humaitá after getting permission from Camões. Dias fell in love with jiu-jitsu on his first day of training and decided to take up jiu-jitsu alongside judo.
2.4. Black Belt Promotion
In 1985, Dias was promoted to black belt by his first BJJ coach, Royler Gracie, at 18 years old.
2.5. Moved to the USA
Dias actively participated in all major BJJ competitions. During his BJJ career, he often visited the USA to compete in BJJ events. Eventually, Dias decided he wanted to stay and open an academy.
Dias wanted to open his BJJ academy in Los Angeles, California. But when he visited Colorado, Dias decided he liked Colorado and chose to stay there. He lived in Colorado for two years and met his future wife, Luciana.
2.6. Opened Team Megaton BJJ Academy
When BJJ started to become more popular in the USA, many BJJ black belts came to Los Angeles to open academies. In response, Dias decided to move to Phoenix, Arizona to start his own academy. Now, he is the owner and head coach of Team Megaton BJJ Academy.
2.7. Arizona Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation
Dias is responsible for introducing and popularizing jiu-jitsu in Phoenix for 30 years. Later, he would play a role in the formation of the Arizona Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation along with several other black belts. Dias is currently the president of the Arizona Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
2.8. Coral Belt Promotion
In March 2022, Dias was promoted to a coral belt by his old friend and BJJ coach, Royler Gracie. He shared his belt promotion with his fans through an Instagram post.
2.9. Father of Martial Arts Legend Mackenzie Dern
Dias is the father of well-known grappler and MMA fighter Mackenzie Dern. Dias trained his daughter during her early childhood.Dern became a big name in the UFC and has never been submitted in any UFC fight. She also won in major championships like the World Gi and No-Gi Championships, Pan, American National, European Open, and ADCC Championships.
2.10. Most Famous Nickname in the Martial Arts World
Dias got his nickname “Megaton” from his first judo coach, Rogério Camões. Dias often threw his training partners with lots of force like a megaton bomb, causing Camões to frequently call Camões “Megaton.” The nickname became synonymous with Dias’s identity, becoming one of the most highly-ranked nicknames in the martial arts world.
2.11. Wellington Dias’s IBJJF Record
Dias ranked first place in the IBJJF Masters with 2164.5 points and ranked second place in the IBJJF Master Grand Slam with 1156.6 points. In the CBJJ rankings, Dias is seventh place with 180 points.
2.12. Wellington Dias’s Family
Dias’s wife Luciana also practiced BJJ when they met in Colorado. She is currently a BJJ black belt under her husband. Their daughter, Mackenzie Dern is also a BJJ black belt under her father. Dias is also the grandfather of Moa Dern Santos, Dern’s daughter.
2.13. Wellington Dias’s Top Students
Aside from Dern, another famous MMA fighter who learned under Dias was Evan Dunham. Dunham is one of the top UFC fighters to have won “Fight of the Night” and “Submission of the Night.” He has also promoted various grapplers to the rank of black belt.
2.14. Wellington Dias’s Passion for Jiu-Jitsu
Dias often said in his videos that he loves competing in jiu-jitsu, whether he wins or loses. According to Dias,
“I think, ya know, jiu-jitsu teaches you life, your life teaches you jiu-jitsu. Like I say, I love to compete. I hate to lose, but I love to compete. You can't win all the time. Like yesterday, I did a great job here in the tournament. Right? But it's not always ya know, happening like that.”
“My goal is to have fun. We have to do what we love and I love to compete. Nobody thinks about losing when they go to a tournament, but behind that, you have to have fun and want to be here. Winning or losing is a consequence.”
2.15. Wellington Dias’s Hobby
Dias is a calm and positive thinker. Due to his age, Dias cannot train in BJJ for more than four hours. He spends most of his time with his dog and riding his motorcycle in the Arizona mountains. Dias also does a cross-country motorcycle trip with friends at least once per year.
2.16. Wellington Dias’s Fighting Style
If you ever watched Megaton while competing, you will definitely find the style of fighting of old-school Jiu-Jitsu. As Dias spending much of his time training with the Gracies, his execution of traditional basic BJJ techniques is solid and accurate. He performs best from a top position and has impeccable guard passing skills.
3. Welling Dias's Historic Fights
3.1. Wellington "Megaton" Dias vs. Marco Carneiro
Dias faced Marco Carneiro in the 2019 IBJJF European Championship finals. Dias started the fight by trying to strangle his opponent. Within the first minute, Dias was on the ground trying to apply a full guard. But Carneiro countered and tried to grab the lapels of Dias’s gi.
Eventually, Dias managed to pin Carneiro on the ground and scored two points for this successful takedown. Later, Dias tried to fully mount Carneio, but the latter managed to break free. At this point, Dias began to showcase his core strength and strong base. He managed to control Carneiro’s movements while scoring nine points within one minute. Dias eventually submitted Carneiro via an armbar in just 3 minutes and 25 seconds.
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Stage | Weight Class |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | IBJJF European Championship | Marco Carneiro | Win | Armbar | Final | Lightweight |
3.2. Wellington “Megaton” Dias vs. James McGar
Dias faced James McGar in the 2021 Austin Open semifinals. McGar started the match by pulling guard but not maintain his grip around Dias's groin. Dias responded by grappling McGar’s legs and then mounting from the side. He scored three points for passing the guard. Within the first minute, Dias scored two points for a sweep and four points for a complete mount.
Now on top, Dias completely mounted and controlled McGar. Then, he transitioned to the side until gradually taking McGar from the back. Dias then applied a collar choke. Dias submitted McGar via a collar choke within 2 minutes and 7 seconds of the first round.
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Stage | Weight Class |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Austin Open | James McGar | Win | Collar Choke | Semifinal | Absolute |
3.3. Wellington “Megaton” Dias vs. Robert Marvin
Dias faced Robert Marvin in the 2021 Phoenix Open finals. Dias started the fight by applying a full guard, while Marvin took the top position. Dias tried to get out from under Marvin to take the top position. However, Marvin managed to grapple Dias’s legs and prevented his various escape attempts. Near the end of the fight, Dias still could not secure the top position, forcing him to apply a triangle choke. Dias submitted Marvin via a triangle choke within two minutes, becoming the 2021 Phoenix Open Absolute Weight Champion.
Year | Event | Opponent | W/L/D | Method | Stage | Weight Class |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Phoenix Open | Robert Marvin | Win | Triangle Choke | Final | Absolute Weight |
4. Wellington Dias’s Main Achievements
Year | Events | Medals |
---|---|---|
1996 | IBJJF World Championship | Silver |
1999 | IBJJF World Championship | Bronze |
2000 | IBJJF Pan American Championship | Gold |
2001 | IBJJF Pan American Championship | Gold |
2001 | IBJJF World Championship | Bronze |
2002 | IBJJF Pan American Championship | Silver |
2002 | IBJJF World Championship | Bronze |
2003 | IBJJF Pan American Championship | Bronze |
2004 | IBJJF European Championship | Gold |
2005 | IBJJF European Championship | Gold |
2006 | IBJJF European Championship | Gold |
2006 | IBJJF Pan American Championship | Bronze |
2007 | IBJJF European Championship | Silver |
2007 | IBJJF Pan American Championship | Bronze |
2008 | IBJJF European Championship | Bronze |
2009 | IBJJF European Championship | Silver |
2010 | IBJJF European Championship | Bronze |
2010 | IBJJF European Championship | Bronze |
5. Wellington Dias’s Professional Record Break
5.1 Wellington Dias’s Professional Record
38 Matches | 18 Wins | 20 Losses |
---|---|---|
By Points | 4 | 3 |
By Advantages | 0 | 0 |
By Submission | 13 | 15 |
By Decision | 0 | 0 |
By Penalties | 0 | 0 |
By DQ | 0 | 0 |
Others | 1 | 4 |
5.2 Method of Submission
Method | 12 Wins | 13 Losses |
---|---|---|
Armbar | 4 | 5 |
Armlock | 1 | 0 |
Collar Choke | 3 | 5 |
Guillotine | 1 | 0 |
Kata Gatame | 1 | 0 |
Triangle | 2 | 3 |
6. Wellington Dias’s Fight History
Year | Competition | Opponent | W/L | Method | Weight | Stage |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | IBJJF World Championship | Helio Moreira | L | N/A | Light Feather | F |
1997 | Rickson Gracie Tournament | Fabio Santos | W | Guillotine | N/A | N/A |
1997 | Rickson Gracie Tournament | Mario Aiello | W | Triangle | N/A | N/A |
2007 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Fredson Paixao | W | N/A | Feather | E |
2008 | IBJJF World Championship | Mario Reis | L | Points | Feather | QF |
2009 | European Championship | Mario Reis | L | Armbar | Feather | F |
2009 | World Championship | Rubens Charles | L | Collar Choke | Feather | QF |
2009 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Mario Reis | L | Triangle Choke | Feather | E |
2010 | European Championship | Rafael Mendes | L | Armbar | Feather | SF |
2010 | Brazilian JiuJitsu Nationals | Samir Jose Cantre | L | N/A | Feather | N/A |
2011 | American National Championship | Cristian Lopez Villegas | W | Points | Light | N/A |
2011 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Bruno Malfacine | L | Triangle | Light-Feather | SF |
2013 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Renato Vieira | L | Points | Feather | E |
2014 | IBJJF World Masters | Sami Al Jamal | W | Pts: 1x0 | Feather | F |
2014 | IBJJF Atlanta Open | Jonathan Thomas | L | Collar Choke | Feather | F |
2014 | IBJJF World Championship | Mario Reis | L | Armbar | Feather | E |
2015 | Chicago Spring | João Miyao | L | Collar Choke | Feather | F |
2016 | IBJJF European Open | Sadi Acikalin | W | Kata Gatame | Feather | N/A |
2016 | IBJJF European Open | Tony Schneider | W | Armbar | Feather | F |
2017 | IBJJF British National | Inder Biant | W | Collar Choke | Feather | SF |
2017 | European Championship | Wiliam Vanni | W | Ambar | Feather | F |
2017 | IBJJF World Master | Mario Sperry | W | Pts: 4x2 | ABS | F |
2017 | IBJJF Pan Championship | Kelly Johnson | W | Armlock | Feather | F |
2017 | Long Beach Open | Joshua Hinger | L | Footlock | Medium-Heavy | F |
2018 | IBJJF World Master | Alexandre Abrahão da Silva | W | Collar Choke | Feather | SF |
2019 | IBJJF World Championship | Renato Canuto | L | Armbar | Light | E |
2019 | IBJJF European | Marco Carneiro | W | Armbar | Light | F |
2019 | IBJJF World Master | Marco Barbosa | L | Pts: 0x2 | Light | SF |
2020 | Houston Open | Tyler Scalisi | W | Armbar | Light | N/A |
2020 | Houston Open | Alexandre Molinaro | L | Armbar | Light | SF |
2020 | Portland Open | Amir Yafawi | L | N/A | Medium-Heavy | F |
2021 | Austin Open | Paulo Castro | W | Pts: 3x0 | ABS | F |
2021 | Dallas Open | Peter Molinelli | W | Trainagle | Light | SF |
2021 | Phoenix Open | Robert Marvin | W | Triangle | ABS | F |
2021 | Austin Open | James McGar | W | Collar Choke | ABS | SF |
2022 | Austin Winter Open | Matheus Galvao | L | N/A | Light | SF |
2022 | Oklahoma City Open | Alexandre Molinaro | L | Collar Choke | Light | F |
2022 | Houston Fall Open | Daniel Sathler | L | Triangle | Light | F |
2023 | Indianapolis Open | Michael Sheehan | L | Collar Choke | Light | F |
2023 | IBJJF World Championship | Espen Mathiesen | L | Footlock | N/A | N/A |
7. Wellington Dias’s Top Fights Links
Wellington “Megaton” Dias v James McGar / Austin Open 2021
Wellington "Megaton" Dias vs Mario Sperry / World Master 2017
Wellington "Megaton" Dias vs Kelly Johnson / Pan Championship 2017
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