In a competition with a world title on the line, all eyes turn to how the athletes perform. It’s natural. That decisive move that determines the winner of a match, just before the celebration, draws the crowd’s attention like a magnet. However, the camera can capture unforgettable moments off the mat. That’s what happened with Danilo Moreira, coaching Elisabeth Clay at the No-Gi Worlds in Las Vegas in December last year. Danilo, who is also the athlete’s husband, celebrated without restraint; he cheered, threw his arms in the air and lifted his chair as if it were a trophy. If she wins, he wins too.
In an interview with The Mat Nation, the black belt talked more about his closeness with Elisabeth Clay, which goes beyond their family bond. Although he coached her at the Worlds, where she won double gold, champion in her weight class and the open class with a 100% submission rate, Danilo is not Clay’s instructor. He is more like a premium training partner, someone fully familiar with the champion’s game.
“As the person who trains with her the most and knows every detail of her game, I can plan a strategy, but we never put together a strategy for the competition. Every match is its own match. For the open class final at the No-Gi Worlds we managed to study a little the night before, look at some positions she could try, and in the end it worked, but all the credit is hers. Elisabeth’s ability to make quick decisions is incredible, she always adapts during the match. Because of the huge arsenal of positions she has, it gets easier,” he praised.
MARRIAGE AND THE BIRTH OF HIS FIRST CHILD WITH ELISABETH CLAY: “I’M A HAPPY ATHLETE”
Danilo Moreira and Elisabeth Clay started a family. After getting married, they had their first child, who is already a year old. Balancing the roles of father and mother with the demands of a competitor’s life is not for everyone, but the couple knows how to navigate every challenge. It’s common to see the two of them at their professional commitments with the baby in their arms.
“You don’t stop being a father to go teach or train, but I have my time to play with my son, to take care of him while his mother trains and vice versa. By always alternating activities with his mother, it gets easier. Since the baby was born I never wanted to think our performance would drop, which at some point is normal. It would get harder, of course, but now we have something more to bring joy to our lives. It’s like they say: a happy athlete is a better athlete,” he noted.
Danilo Moreira’s emotion at the No-Gi Worlds, in the corner of the mat as a coach, ran high. He not only witnessed his wife’s double title, but also celebrated Marco Mendes’ win over Gianni Grippo in the featherweight final. In the interview, Danilo mentioned a key term: emotional support. A fighter already competing at the elite level knows himself well enough technically, but a boost on the emotional side can be decisive on the fine line that separates defeat from victory.
“I believe my role there was minimal, even knowing that a good coach who is well connected with his athlete makes all the difference. All the credit goes to the two of them, both were ready to be champions. There, I was more of an emotional support so neither of them would lose focus,” he said.
2025 PUT DANILO MOREIRA IN THE SPOTLIGHT; HIS PERFORMANCE ON THE UFC BJJ REALITY SHOW TOOK HIM ALL THE WAY TO THE FINAL
On UFC BJJ’s first reality show, Road to the Title, Danilo had a long run. The grappler stayed on the cast for every episode and made it to the final, where he competed for the inaugural lightweight title against Carlos Henrique, who still reigns in the division. At the end of 2025, he was also called up for The Crown, the IBJJF’s gi competition in a GP format, which gains more prestige with every edition. In other words, Danilo has already experienced the best that professional Jiu-Jitsu can offer. For him, already at a high level, the IBJJF gi world title is still a goal to take the final step.
“I always start my year with the Worlds as my priority, the goal is to be world champion. Last year UFC BJJ happened the same week as the Worlds, which meant I had to choose. At that moment I chose the UFC, it was a good choice that opened many doors for me, I’m very grateful for that opportunity, but the focus remains on the Worlds. Whatever superfight comes up until then, I’m in, I never turn down a fight,” Danilo stressed.
Moving comfortably between gi and no-gi, he is a clear example of an athlete who wants to stay active in both disciplines, and Danilo gave his opinion on the thriving phase no-gi Jiu-Jitsu is going through today. The No-Gi Worlds set a registration record, reflecting this rapid growth. The black belt’s answer is already common among the sport’s professionals. Gi Jiu-Jitsu is immortal, but no-gi has more appeal when the goal is to grow the audience and break out of the bubble.
“This growth of no-gi comes from the fact that it’s easier to watch. If you put someone who doesn’t know Jiu-Jitsu in front of a match, no-gi will be easier to understand. Its popularity comes from the events, no-gi is paying much better than the gi, with more opportunities to compete. I don’t think a complete transition to no-gi will happen, because gi Jiu-Jitsu will never die, but grappling will only keep growing,” he analyzed.
This article was originally published in Portuguese: read the original version.
