He started training at the age of thirteen with his only trainer, Mestre Rafael Cordeiro from Chute Boxe. He is a black belt, fully accredited under Master Cordeiro, has several fights of Muay Thai and MMA, having fought in Brazil, Portugal and Japan. He spent his formative years training with Wanderlei Silva, Anderson Silva, Jorge “Macaco” Patino and many other great champions worldwide known.  

After leaving Chute Boxe Academy, he co-founded the UDL Universidade da Luta alongside his brother Dida and longtime friends Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Murilo "Ninja" Rua. Three years later, he went to Toronto, where he opened the Evolução Thai MMA. Based on his principles of struggle and teaching, he is regarded as a respected trainer for professional athletes and students. Mauricio is dedicated to constantly developing the sport of mixed martial arts. He continues to work with a variety of professional wrestlers from major events, but his real focus is to pass on everything he has to his students.