 Born and raised in Fortaleza, Brazil, Alves began training in Muay Thai at the age of 15 in order to get in better shape before transitioning to mixed martial arts at the age of 17.Alves won his first MMA bout as an amateur at just 15 years old, defeating a 25-year-old competitor by unanimous decision.At 19, Alves relocated from Brazil to Coconut Creek, Florida to train full-time at the prestigious American Top Team camp.