Leo Souza stands out as one of the promising young talents in contemporary jiu-jitsu. Hailing from Riacho Fundo II in Brasília, Brazil, he launched his competitive career at just thirteen years old. After achieving his black belt in November 2023, he now proudly represents Six Blades Jiu-Jitsu on the global competitive circuit. At only twenty-three, Leo possesses world-class skill, fueling excitement across the jiu-jitsu community for the ongoing evolution of his dynamic game ahead of his Grand Prix superfight.

Leo secured his first major black belt title at the 2025 European Championships. Throughout his dominant run, he masterfully displayed the dynamic technique for which he has become renowned. He achieved an impressive four submissions in four matches, underscoring his exceptional finishing prowess and fan-favorite style. Notably, the Six Blades athlete leveraged elite guard play to engineer explosive submission threats, utilizing a pair of triangle and lapel choke finishes en route to a decisive, title-clinching performance.

Leo is now preparing for a highly-anticipated superfight at the prestigious IBJJF Grand Prix event on February 26th. In a recent interview, the young competitor offered insights into his preparation for the upcoming match, his expectations for the event, and his goals for the remainder of the 2026 campaign.

Regarding his inclusion in the Grand Prix fight card, Leo expressed his enthusiasm, “I’m super excited and happy with this invitation, especially since this is my first time doing a superfight at an IBJJF event. It shows that my work is being recognized.”

That work includes his European Championship title run, which was followed by an impressive bronze medal performance at last year’s World Championships. Commenting on his continuous improvement, Leo expressed, “Since the last World Championship, I believe I’ve developed my physical preparation a lot. Training with Xande (Ribeiro), I’ve been adjusting various details that make a difference!”

Leo is matched against another rising talent, Mateo Cardona of AOJ. While he holds his opponent in high regard, the Six Blades athlete remains focused on his own preparedness, “I believe he will come in with a strong desire to win, but that doesn’t affect me because I’ve been training very well here at Six Blades, and I trust my team’s work! I think it’s my readiness and ability to handle any situation, whether in defense or attack, that matters.”

Leo has previously demonstrated his composure in high-pressure situations, most notably when he faced a four-point deficit with less than two minutes remaining in his European finals match against Lucas Protasio. He calmly navigated the position, executed a scoring maneuver to create back exposure, and secured a lapel choke finish for a memorable come-from-behind victory.

Detailing his focused training for this specific bout, Leo stated, “I’m always preparing, regardless of whether I have a fight scheduled or not. However, recently I’ve been training extensively in no-gi, before refocusing on more gi training under the guidance of Victor and Xande (Ribeiro). So, I’m feeling ready and happy to showcase the work I’ve been doing.”

The Six Blades training environment certainly provides world-class instruction and preparation for the young athlete, instilling profound confidence in his ability to face a tough adversary.

Leo remains a fan-favorite, committing himself to constant offense and a relentless pursuit of the finish. When asked about the importance of delivering exciting matches ahead of his superfight, Leo affirmed, “The audience can expect a great fight, and they should know that my goal is to always go for the finish. I believe that this submission-oriented style is what the audience loves to see, and for me, it’s the most satisfying way to win a fight!”

Leo's formidable mentality ahead of this highly-anticipated clash promises further excitement for fans of action-packed matches. His proven ability to end contests with thrilling submissions is guaranteed to keep both his opponent and spectators constantly engaged. Leo is clearly determined to claim victory in this superfight showdown, commencing his 2026 season on an undeniable high note.

Regarding his plans for the remaining gi season, Leo confirmed, “My key objectives for the first semester include this superfight, Pans, and the World Championship.” His 2026 debut is set to provide viewers with an early projection of his trajectory for this season’s major events and the future of the young phenom.

Catch Leo’s superfight against Mateo Cardona, and all the IBJJF Grand Prix action, exclusively on FloGrappling.