Wellington "Megaton" Dias

Wellington Leal Dias Santos,[2] known by his nickname Megaton, is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioner, and 7th degree coral belt of the Gracie Humaitá jiu-jitsu association under Royler Gracie. Wellington originally trained under Rogerio Camoes and later at the Gracie Humaitá jiu-jitsu school in Rio de Janeiro. Wellington received his black belt at the age of 18. Wellington is currently a coral belt under Royler Gracie.[3][4]

Wellington "Megaton" Dias
Megaton Dias teaching a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu seminar in November 2011.
Born (1967-10-02) October 2, 1967
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
ResidencePhoenix, Arizona, United States
Teacher(s)Royler Gracie, Rickson Gracie, Helio Gracie
Rank   7th Degree Coral Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[1] in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
  3rd degree black belt in judo
Notable studentsKyle Watson, Mackenzie Dern, Evan Dunham, Jack McVicker
Websitehttp://www.teammegaton.net/
Medal record
Representing  Brazil
Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Pan American Championship
Gold medal – first place 1998 California, USA -70 kg
Gold medal – first place 2000 California, USA -64 kg*
Gold medal – first place 2001 California, USA -64 kg
Silver medal – second place 2002 California, USA -64 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2003 California, USA -70 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2006 California, USA -70 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2007 California, USA -70 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2011 California, USA -64 kg
Gold medal – first place 2014 California, USA -70 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2014 California, USA Absolute
World Championship
Silver medal – second place 1996 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -64 kg
Bronze medal – third place 1999 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -76 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2001 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -64 kg
Bronze medal – third place 2002 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -64 kg

Dias is nicknamed "Megaton" because of his judo training and propensity to launch his competitors high into the air, similar to the blast of a nuclear bomb.[5] "Megaton" was named the #1 ranked nickname in MMA by SubFighter in 2007.[6]

Grappling career

Wellington is a multiple Pan-American medalist, European medalist, Worlds medalist, US National medalist, Rickson Gracie International Championship medalist, Rio de Janeiro State Champion and ADCC veteran.[7]

He is the only Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor to have competed in every World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, since the first competition in 1996.[8] He still competed in adult black belt divisions of smaller IBJJF tournaments well into his 50s, even earning gold medals against adult competitors as recently as 2023.[9]

Dias competed in the lightweight division of the IBJJF World Championship 2023, becoming the first Coral belt to ever compete at the event.[10]

Master career

Dias competed at the IBJJF Master International - North America Championship on May 31, 2023 and won gold medals in both the Master 6 lightweight and absolute divisions.[11]

Dias competed at the IBJJF Master World Championship on September 2, 2023, where he won the master 6 lightweight division.[12]

Personal life

Wellington Dias resides in Phoenix, Arizona, where he directs the Megaton Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, the first BJJ academy in Arizona. Megaton has trained in judo and BJJ since 1976. His wife Luciana and daughter Mackenzie Dern are also black belts in the discipline, under his tutelage.[13][14]

Instructor lineage

Mitsuyo "Count Koma" Maeda → Carlos Gracie, Sr. → Helio Gracie → Royler Gracie → Wellington "Megaton" Dias

References
  1. "IBJJF List of Black Belts". IBJJF. November 11, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  2. "World Master IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014" (PDF). ibjjfdb.com. 2014-11-02. Retrieved 2014-11-10.
  3. Wellington ‘Megaton’ Dias Promoted To Coral Belt Jiu-Jitsu Times, Kevin Caulfield, March 14, 2022
  4. "IBJJF List of Black Belts". IBJJF. November 11, 2019. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  5. Jones, Phil. "The 20 Best BJJ Nicknames". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  6. subfighter.com. "Best/Worst Nickname Awards". Retrieved 2007-11-15.
  7. "Wellington "Megaton" Dias (Gracie Humaitá)". BJJ Heroes. September 5, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  8. "Megaton main BJJ (GI) achievements since 2004". Maranking.com. 2014-01-18. Retrieved 2014-01-18.
  9. "Diego 'Pato' Oliveira Shines Among Top Competitors At IBJJF Dallas International Open 2023". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  10. Jones, Phil. "Wellington 'Megaton' Dias Becomes First Coral Belt To Compete At IBJJF World Championship". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  11. "Several Top Competitors Win At IBJJF International Master – North America Championship 2023". JitsMagazine. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  12. "BJJ Legends Star In IBJJF Master World Championship 2023". Jitsmagazine.
  13. "Megaton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Belt List". Retrieved 2016-10-05.
  14. Megaton Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. "teammegaton.net". Retrieved 2007-11-15.
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