Six Blades black belt Victor Hugo is a 2X World Champion, a Pan Champion, and a World No-Gi Champion. He’s won many of his title in dramatic fashion, overcoming a points deficit in the final two minutes of the 2022 Worlds and also submitting Roberto “Cyborg” with a kneebar in the 2019 Worlds No-Gi open class final. He describes his game as “big man flow,” as he plays equally well from top and bottom while displaying the mobility and craftiness that you normally see in lower weight divisions. Since winning his second World title in 2022, Victor has not competed in any IBJJF events. He’ll make his return some eleven months later at the 2023 Brasileiros in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

“I’m happy to be back competing for the IBJJF. Since Worlds I gave myself time to develop new skills that I believe will bring my game to the next level and I look forward to displaying those skills.”

Although Victor has yet to compete in the Brasileiros as a black belt, he was able to win gold in the event at blue, purple, and brown belt. His 2019 Brasileiro brown belt campaign was especially impressive as he won the ultra heavy and open class divisions. Victor reflected on his desire to compete in the event at the highest level and his favorite moment from one of his career best performances.

“I had in mind competing in this tournament as a black belt since my very first time competing in it as a blue belt! Being there as a spectator and witnessing the energy all around was something unique! This is something that I have always wanted to experience and I’m very excited for it. My favorite moment from all the times that I have competed is definitely my absolute finals as a brown belt where I was behind the scoreboard by points and pulled off a submission in the last minute. To this day that has been one of my favorite memories in jiu-jitsu.”

With nearly four years of experience as a black belt, Victor has competed against nearly every ultra heavy opponent possible. There are two high level athletes signed up at the Brasileiros, however, that he has not yet had matches with. Victor Honorio, who returned to competition at the 2023 Rio Fall Open, will look to win his first major title since 2019 Europeans. Another ultra heavyweight returning to the division is 2X World Champion Antonio Braga Neto. He also won titles at the Pans, Brasileiros, and Worlds No-Gi before transitioning to a career in mixed martial arts.

“They’re both very experienced black belts and have their own legacy inside the ultra heavy division,” explained Victor. “For me these are match ups that I look forward to because I believe that in the quest to be considered one of the best ultra heavyweights that the sport has ever seen I have to test myself against the very best.”

Watch the 2023 Brasileiros on flograppling.com. The action kicks off this Saturday, April 29th and runs through Sunday May 7th.