# Hugo Marques ("HM")

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## Overview

**Name:** Hugo Marques

**Nickname:** HM


## Bio

Hugo Marques was born on February 19, 1994, in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil.

While growing up Marques was an avid swimmer, being a competitor in water polo as well while also practicing the Brazilian kicking martial art of capoeira.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990’s the sport/martial art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu had a bad reputation due to it being directly linked with gang violence and what many called ‘Pit boys’ – troublemakers in Brazilian (particularly Rio de Janeiro) society. This stigma lasted for a long time and well into Hugo Marques’ formative years. For that reason, even though Hugo wished to try BJJ, his parents vigorously opposed their son from practicing grappling, a decision that started losing pep as Hugo approached his mid-teens.

At 16 years of age Hugo’s parents finally gave in and allowed their son to start jiu-jitsu at a local gym led by Alexandre Salgado, an instructor that was behind Marques’ rise to the top of the sport’s competition ladder, from white to black belt.

As a blue belt, Hugo Marques won his very first International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) world title, in 2013. This tremendous achievement allowed the young Soul Fighters athlete to dream of becoming one of the better competitors of his generation, a goal that would demand his full attention. With that in mind, Hugo decided to become a full-time athlete, adding to that life-changing event the decision of spending more time at his team’s headquarters, home to one of the top grappling coaches in the world,   Leandro Escobar  (Tatu).

Guided by both Alexandre Salgado and Leandro Escobar, Hugo Marques climbed up the belt ranks, winning important titles in all belts. On June 3, 2017 – after conquering the second IBJJF world title of his career, Marques was awarded his black belt.

Cover photo by  Sinistro Lacerda Photos .

[fighter_status id=746]

Hugo Marques vs Bruno Aparecido (2017)

Hugo Marques vs Joao Fontonele (2016)

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**Last Updated:** March 21, 2026

**Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/people/hugo-marques-5ec8771cccf7)