From Brazil to Huntington Beach: How MMA Legend Rafael Cordeiro Built King's MMA

In Episode 11 of the ImmiGreat Podcast, Richard Wilner sits down with Master Rafael Cordeiro — founder of King's MMA in Huntington Beach, three-time Brazilian Muay Thai champion, black belt in both Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the coach behind some of the biggest names in MMA, including Mike Tyson.But this episode isn't just about fighting. It's about what it really takes to build a life in America the right way.Rafael came to the United States on an O-1 visa, a classification reserved for individuals of extraordinary ability, and went on to complete one of the most demanding immigration pathways: the EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card petition. Years later, he and his entire family became United States citizens.In this conversation, Rafael and Richard discuss:Growing up in Curitiba, Brazil, and training at the legendary Chute Boxe gym Traveling to Japan 52 times to compete in PRIDE FC The moment he fell in love with Huntington Beach and decided to bet everything on America How the O-1 visa works for athletes and coaches Starting from zero in the U.S. — no credit, no social security, no students Building King's MMA from the ground up during the 2008 financial crisisTraining world champions, including Fabricio Werdum, Chris Cyborg, and Mike Tyson What becoming a U.S. citizen meant to him and his family His advice for anyone dreaming of building a life in AmericaRafael's story is a powerful reminder that the American dream is still real, but it requires vision, discipline, and the courage to follow the process, even when it's hard.🔗 Follow Rafael Cordeiro & King's MMA! Have immigration questions? Contact us! https://www.wilneroreilly.com/contact/ The ImmiGreat Podcast, hosted by Richard Wilner, provides practical, real-world insight into complex immigration topics affecting individuals, families, and employers. Each episode is designed to help listeners better understand their options and next steps.