About Robson
Robson “The Monkey King” de Oliveira Soares grew up in the favelas of Fortaleza, Brazil, where his martial arts journey began in a humble social project. Jiu-jitsu took him to a black belt and three Brazilian titles, and then to Vietnam, the country he chose as home.
In 2023 he won two MMA belts there: the AFC flyweight title in Vũng Tàu and the LION Championship 60 kg title, once held by Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất. He went on to fight at ONE in Bangkok, came back from an injury he calls the toughest fight of his life, and now passes it all on as head coach at C88 Martial Arts in Saigon.
Bridging Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Vietnamese MMA
His cross-cultural blueprint: world-class grappling, taught in Saigon and tested on Asian cards.
By the numbers
- 2x
- MMA champion: AFC flyweight and LION Championship 60 kg
- 10–3
- professional MMA record, July 2025
- 3x
- Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion
- ONE
- Championship veteran, Bangkok
Career highlights
- RootsBegan martial arts in a social project in the favelas of Fortaleza
- BJJBlack belt and three-time Brazilian champion
- Sep 2023AFC flyweight (56 kg) champion: split decision over Kim Jin-min at AFC 28, Vũng Tàu
- Dec 2023LION Championship 60 kg champion over Bùi Trường Sinh
- Jan 2025Beat Kohei Wakabayashi at ONE Friday Fights, Bangkok
- NowHead coach, C88 Martial Arts, Saigon
Connect with Robson about
Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA coaching and seminars, training in Saigon, and fights in Vietnam and Thailand
Reach Robson
Message Robson directly on the profiles above, or ask the ambassador network for an introduction.
Affiliations and records
Watch
Brazilian roots, champion to coach, and Vietnam's MMA rise, with host Zac Crush · YouTube
The Showcase
Muay Thai × Kun Khmer International Showcase
In 2026 Vietnam finished first overall at both the World Kun Khmer Championships in Cambodia and the IFMA World Muay Thai Championships. Home to world champions in both arts, Vietnam is the natural neutral ground to bring them together: two great traditions on one card, each under its own name, under one neutral ruleset. Three nations. One ring.
Visit the Showcase →The people making it happen
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