Nicholas Meregali reveals 10-year plan: ‘I want to become an actor’

Nicholas Meregali detailed his long-term career goals, which include joining the world of Hollywood as an actor.

Multiple-time IBJJF world champion and 2022 ADCC medalist Nicholas Meregali has plans well beyond competing in jiu-jitsu.

In a recent video posted to the 29-year-old’s YouTube page, he outlined his long-term career goals, which include a serious pivot from the world of BJJ.

First and foremost, Meregali’s current focus remains entirely on BJJ and adding more accomplishments to his already impressive competitive career.

“I have a few things that I want to do in life, and jiu-jitsu is, of course, right now my priority,” he said.

After he retires from competition, the Brazilian hopes to make it big in the entertainment world as a Hollywood actor – an aspiration that he admits to be “kind of insane” and “crazy”:

“My goal is kind of insane but I know I can do that. I know people laugh sometimes when I say this crazy idea, but I want to join Hollywood at some point. I want to become an actor and challenge myself in different environments… I want to definitely do something else and Hollywood is my main goal for the next 10 years.”

More than just a hope and a wish at this point, Meregali details three different potential paths to making it in Hollywood:

“How am I going to get there? There’s so many ways. I can either become so famous that people cannot deny me. I can become a good actor by learning how to act. Or I can maybe date some superstar and then I can join this world by dating someone who is famous in that world, and then end up creating a connection to network. I think the last option is the most accurate [laughs].”

While he may have dreams of the big screen, Meregali is currently in the thick of a BJJ career that’s established him as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound talents in both gi and no-gi competitions.

He is undefeated so far in 2023, earning double gold at the IBJJF Pans, winning a pair of Who’s Number One matches against elite opponents, and, most recently, winning the IBJJF Absolute Grand Prix in dominant fashion.

Meregali is next slated to compete at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational on Sunday, December 10 when he takes on rival Felipe Pena in the no-gi main event.

Ben Coate

Ben has been involved with grappling, whether through wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, essentially his entire life. After wrestling throughout his childhood, Ben found Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a young adult and quickly fell in love. He has been training for over ten years and holds the rank of black belt, and remains involved in both the MMA and BJJ scene. Ben has been writing about combat sports since 2017. He has interviewed and profiled some of MMA's biggest stars, including multiple UFC champions.

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