On Saturday July 8th, the Sao Paulo BJJ Pro returned for the first time since 2019. The two star pro event took place at the Ginásio Poliesportivo José Correa and had payouts for adult male and female divisions. We caught up with four of the Sao Paulo BJJ Pro Champions to talk about their experiences at the event.

2X Brasileiro Champion Brenda Larissa of Melqui Galvao Jiu-Jitsu took home gold in the light-featherweight division. Brenda has had twelve IBJJF matches in 2023, and improved her record to 9-3 on the year.

“I had the honor of winning the BJJ Pro in Barueri. It was an incredible experience. I fought two intense matches, and in the final, I managed a convincing victory with a score of 10 to 0. This win was particularly special for me because the last time I participated in this event, I was a brown belt and also came out as the champion. Before this, I won the Betim Open in Minas Gerais. Both the Betim Open and the BJJ Pro were exceptionally well-organized and everything was beautifully set up. Each match is an opportunity to learn and grow, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to compete at such high-level events. All of these experiences reinforce my evolution as an athlete and boost my confidence. Now, my focus is completely on the Floripa Winter and Vitória Open. I have already started studying my potential opponents and am preparing intensively for these upcoming competitions. My goal is always to continue evolving and to give my best in each match, regardless of the final result.”

GF Team’s Julia Alves has only competed in a handful of IBJJF matches in 2023, but is right up there with the best lightweights in the game. At the 2023 Worlds, Julia had a very close match with 2X World Champion Ffion Davies, showing her skill and tenacity. She competed in the lightweight division in Sao Paulo, where she won three matches.

“In this championship I wanted to let go and test some things that I have been training in private classes with my teacher Artur. The strategy was to try to stay on top in all fights and transition well to the back, when possible. Although it wasn’t 100% perfect, I was very happy with my performance and the control I had in each match. I don’t know when my next competition in CBJJ will be, but I know that I will continue preparing to show, in each match, a better version of my game.”

Brenda Larissa’s teammate Luis Paulo was the middleweight champion in Sao Paulo. The 2023 Brasileiro bronze medalist had competed at the event before, but never as a black belt.

“It was a very exciting day for me. It was four years since I last fought the BJJ Pro in Sao Paulo. The last time I conquered the Sao Paulo BJJ Pro was in 2019 at brown belt. Today I had a total of three fights. My first fight I won by 5 to 2 and some advantages. My 2nd fight I got the submission in 15 seconds, and in the final I won by points, a total of 7 to 2 and some advantages! I’m very excited for my next challenges. Soon I’ll be in the United States to fight at the Worlds No-Gi.”

Featherweight was one of the most stacked divisions at the Sao Paulo BJJ Pro, with athletes like Guilherme Fernandes, Cleber Sousa, and Lucas Maquine in the division. It was Matheus Onda of Barbosa Jiu-Jitsu, however, who came out on top. He discussed his two matches that led him to gold.

“I won the semi by 8-2 and the finals by triangle!  I’m very happy with my performance today. I was very upset when I lost the Rio BJJ Pro and today the gold came! I’m planning to fight the Vitoria Open or Floripa Open next month!”

The female absolute division champion was Sabatha Lais of Fratres Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Sabatha took silver at the 2023 Europeans and Brasileiros in the medium-heavy division and won three matches in the absolute in Sao Paulo to take home the cash prize. All three of her matches ended via submission.

2023 Sao Paulo BJJ Pro team results:

1. Alliance

2. Atos Jiu-Jitsu

3. Fratres Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu