BJJ

Diego Borges - Best Finisher in BJJ Championships

Diego Borges - Best Finisher in BJJ  Championships

1. Diego Borges Details

Diego Borges Details
Name Diego Borges Silva
Nickname Zenith
Date of Birth January 15, 1990,
Nationality Brazilian
Born Manaus – Brazil
Age 34 Years
College/University N/A
Profession Martial Artist
Last Fight December 20, 2019,
Last Weigh in 82kg
Weight Class Division Peso Médio 82 kg (181 lbs)
Height 1.78m
Career Disclosed Earning N/A
Fought Out of Brazil
Professional MMA Record 6-3-0 (W/L/D)
Foundational Style Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Favorite Technique Bow and Arrow
Belt Rank Black Belt
Awarded by José Augusto Gato
Head Coach José Augusto Gato
Lineage Mitsuyo Maeda -> Carlos Gracie sr -> Reyson Gracie -> Osvaldo Alves -> José Augusto -> Diego Borges
Team/Association  Zenith BJJ
Instagram Logo

2. Diego Borges Biography

“If you look to one side, you have five hungry lions. And on the other side of the bracket is the same thing. There’s nowhere to run. I have to look at every fight as if it were a final, and you’ll have nine other athletes with the same goal as mine!”
(Diego Borges)

2.1. Early Life of Diego Borges

A renowned grappler and a well-rounded martial artist, Diego Borges was born on 15 January 1990 in Manaus, Brazil.

2.2. Started Martial Arts

Diego Borges’s first interaction with the grappling martial art BJJ happened in his early teenage years. He joined initial martial arts training at the age of 11. He started his martial arts journey with the contemporary traditional way of fighting, Capoeira. Many elite BJJ Masters, fighters, and coaches started their martial arts journey from Capoeira.

2.3. Started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

At 14, Diego Borges shifted his interest from Capoeira to Jiu-Jitsu, mainly because of the influence of his elder cousin. Borges’s cousin used to practice Jiu-Jitsu at José Augusto Gato’s Academy in Manaus. Borges joined the academy with his cousin and never looked back.

2.4. Awarded Blue Belt

After seven months of intense training, sparring, and rolling sessions, Diego Borges was awarded Blue Belt in the Juvenile division while competing in his first World Championship. Apart from his first international performance, Borges decisively won the 2004 World Championship.

2.5. IBJJF World Championship Title

Diego Borges became a rising star of the 2006 BJJ Champions by winning three World Championship titles at 16.

2.6. Joined Trindade Academy

After his remarkable achievements on the mat. Borges moved to Boa Vista island- which belongs to the Cape Verde Islands with his family. He continued his BJJ training by joining the Trindade Brothers Academy. Borges shared the role of the Trindade brothers in his success:

“After my youth titles I came to Roraima, where I started training with my Trindade brothers, and that's where I had greater evidence and prominence in the championships”
(Diego Borges)

2.7. Become Brown Belt Champion

In 2010, Diego Borges was promoted to Brown Belt and displayed an elite BJJ fight performance in the Brazilian Championship and secured the title as a Brown Belt. In early 2011, after earning his brown belt, Borges competed in the World Championship. (California)

2.8. Journey to Black Belt

While continuing his training with the Trindade brothers, Borges's deep reverence for his first coach José Augusto Gato never diminished. He was in close contact with his first BJJ coach who awarded him with Black Belt in late 2011 before the World Pro Cup Trial in Manaus.

2.9. Joined Checkmat Academy

After receiving the Black Belt, Carlos Holanda persuaded Diego Borges to join the Checkmat Team to level up his skills and have more support when competing outside of Roraima and Manaus.

2.10. Wrestling Career of Diego Borges

Apart from continuing his Jiu-Jitsu Journey, Diego Borges never stopped participating in wrestling competitions. He joined hands with the country’s national wrestling squad in 2013. Diego Borges was asked to coach the Bulgarian wrestling team due to his victory and widespread reputation. He welcomed this opportunity with both hands and joined the Bulgarian team.

2.11. Diego Borges’s Martial Arts Fight

Diego competed with Vladislav Kanchev while staying in Bulgaria. Although the fight ended with a draw. However, the impressive performance of Diego in the match opened ways to teach in Eastern European Countries. This opportunity proved to be beneficial in improving Diego’s No-Gi competitions.

2.12. Joined Zenith Jiu Jitsu Academy

In 2013, Diego Borges decided to join the renowned grappling academy, “Zenith Jiu Jitsu” owned by Rodrigo Cavaca and Robert Drysdale.

2.13. Best Middleweight in the World

Diego Borges is not only World Brazilian Champion but also among the top 10 Middleweight Black Belt Champions.

3. Diego Borges Historic Fights

3.1. Diego Borges Vs. John Combs

The Middleweight Grand Prix tournament was held in Argentina last year. Diego Borges faced John Combs, a renowned Guillotine expert, on the podium. Borges, without wasting time, attempted a weep that John Combs perfectly passed. 

John Combs showed his elite grappling skills in his debut by attempting the triangle and wristlock. However, Borges's mature submission techniques dominated the mat.

Diego Borges won the match by scoring 4 points via advantage and adding one more title to his achievements.

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Weight Class Location
2021 Grand Pix-Season 4 Championship John Combs Win Points Middleweight Argentina

3.2. Diego Borges Vs. Charles Do Bronx

This Heavyweight Grand Prix Season 5 finale was held between Jiu-Jitsu worker- Diego Borges and UFC champion Charles do Bronx. Both fighters showed their highly athletic skills on the podium.

In the start, Charles attempted a heel hook submission that gave him an advantage point in the first 2 minutes of the fight. Charles dominated for 6 minutes.

However, Being one of BJJ's aggressive fighters, Borges presented an excellent fight by defending all techniques of his opponent and won by points.

After defeating Charles, Borges shared about his training for this super match in his interview:

“I trained a lot, it was two months of hard training. It was actually a year after the accident. I stayed put, out of competitions. When Jéferson (Mayca, president of Copa Podio) invited me, saying that I would face him (Do Bronx), I trained a lot on the guillotine defense, because he catches many people. At that very end, I defended well, I worked a lot on that technical part. It was a good fight, well-studied.  Thank God it's a healthy rivalry, that's Jiu-Jitsu. I've always been a fan of his, I respect him a lot”
(Diego Borges)

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Weight Class Location
2021 Grand Pix-Season 5 Championship Charles do Bronx Win Points Middleweight Porto Alegre

4. Main Achievements

4.1. IBJJF World Championship

Year Medal Weight Class
2004 Gold Gold Medal Icon Lightweight
2005 Gold Gold Medal Icon Lightweight
2006 Gold Gold Medal Icon Lightweight

4.2. CBJJ Brazilian National Championship

Year Medal Weight Class
2007 Bronze Bronze Medal Icon Lightweight
2010 Gold Gold Medal Icon Lightweight
2011 Silver Silver Medal Icon N/A

4.3. CBJJ Brazilian National Championshipth

Year Medal Weight Class
2011 Gold Gold Medal Icon Lightweight

4.4. Copa Podioth

Year Medal Weight Class
2013 Silver Silver Medal Icon N/A
2016 Silver Silver Medal Icon N/A
2017 Silver Silver Medal Icon N/A

4.5. CBJJ Brazilian National th

Year Medal Weight Class
2014 Silver Silver Medal Icon N/A

5. Main Achievements (Belts)

5.1. Diego Borges Colored Belts Achievements

Year Event Belt Medal
2004 IBJJF World Championship Juvenile Blue Gold Gold Medal Icon
2005 IBJJF World Championship Juvenile Blue Gold Gold Medal Icon
2006 IBJJF World Championship Juvenile Blue Gold Gold Medal Icon
2007 CBJJ Brazilian National Championship Purple Bronze Bronze Medal Icon
2010 CBJJ Brazilian National Champion Brown Gold Gold Medal Icon
2011 CBJJ Brazilian National Champion Brown Gold Gold Medal Icon
2011 IBJJF World Championship Brown Silver Gold Medal Icon

5.2. Diego Borges Black Belts Achievements

Year Event Belt Weight Class Medal
2011 World Pro Trials Black Belt 83KG Gold Gold Medal Icon
2012 World Championship Black Belt 82KG Gold Gold Medal Icon
2013 Manaus Pro Trials Black Belt 85KG Gold Gold Medal Icon
2013 Copa Podio Black Belt Absolute Gold Gold Medal Icon
2016 Zurich NoGi Open Championship Black Belt Absolute Gold Gold Medal Icon
2017 Manaus Nat. Pro Black Belt 85KG Gold Gold Medal Icon
2017 WP BR Qualifier Black Belt 85KG Gold Gold Medal Icon
2018 Copa Podio Black Belt 76KG Gold Gold Medal Icon

6. Medals and Record

  • 3X IBJJF World Champion
  • 2X CBJJ Brazilian National Champion
  • Copa Podio Runner-up (2013)
  • IBJJF World Championship Runner-up (2011)
  • CBJJ Brazilian National Runner-up (2014)
  • 2X Copa Podio 3rd Place
  • CBJJ Brazilian National Championship 3rd Place (2007 purple)

7. Professional Record Breakdown

51 Matches 35 Wins 16 Losses
By Submission 8 4
By Points 20 6
By Advantage 5 5
By Decision 1 1
By Injury 1 0

8. Diego Borges Submission Breakdown

Submission Techniques 8 Wins 4 Losses
Bow and Arrow 4 0
Armbar 1 0
Choke 2 0
Submission 1 0
Inverted Triangle 0 1
Omoplata 0 1
Botinha 0 1
Guillotine 0 1

9. Diego Borges MMA Fight History

Year Event Opponent Referee W/L/D Round Weight Class Method
2019 Arena Fight 9 Azael Sá Fabiano Costa L 3 Lightweight · 154 lbs (70.0 kg) Decision
2019 Pitbull Fight Combat 3 Azael Sá Rubens Leal W 3 Lightweight · 154 lbs (70.0 kg) Punches
2019 Team Brothers Combat Samuel Rocha Ricardo Cachorrão L 3 Featherweight · 146 lbs (66.0 kg) Decision (Unanimous)
2018 Shooto Brasil 85 Andrey Augusto N/A L 1 Featherweight · 146 lbs (66.0 kg) Punches
2017 Shooto Brasil 75 Dewis Junior N/A W 2 Featherweight · 146 lbs (66.0 kg) KO/TKO
2017 Luta Tribal 1 Alex Silva N/A W 2 Featherweight · 146 lbs (66.0 kg) KO/TKO
2017 Amazonas Regional Max Miliano Perreira de Lima N/A W N/A N/A N/A
2015 Amazonas Regional Deigrison Batalha N/A W N/A N/A N/A
2012 Amazonas Regional Janderson Queiroz N/A W N/A N/A N/A

10. Diego Borges Fight History

Year Event Opponent W/L Method Weight Stage
2011 World Pro Trials Vitor Hugo W Pts: 2x2, Adv 83KG SF
2011 World Pro Trials Claudio Calasans W Pts: 4x2 83KG F
2011 Amazon Meeting Juarez Harles W Bow and arrow 82KG SPF
2012 World Champ. Vagner Rocha W Points 82KG R1
2012 World Champ. Murilo Santana W Pts: 6x2 82KG R2
2012 World Champ. Victor Estima L Inverted triangle 82KG 4F
2013 Manaus Pro Trials Victor Pina W Bow and arrow 85KG SF
2013 Copa Podio Rodrigo Reis W Armbar ABS SPF
2013 Copa Podio Clark Gracie L Omoplata 82KG SPF
2013 Copa Podio Leandro Lo L Adv 76KG GP
2013 Copa Podio Clark Gracie W Pts: 2x0 76KG GP
2013 Copa Podio Juan Kamezawa W Pts: 6x0 76KG GP
2013 Copa Podio Brandon Magana W Pts: 8x0 76KG GP
2013 Copa Podio Vinicius Marinho W Pts: 8x0 76KG SF
2013 Copa Podio Leandro Lo L Adv 76KG F
2014 Brasileiro Eduardo Santoro W Bow and arrow 82KG 4F
2014 Brasileiro Augusto Carsalade W Pts: 2x0 82KG SF
2014 Brasileiro Claudio Mattos L Referee Decision 82KG F
2016 Zurich Open Nelton Pontes L Pts: 2x0 ABS 4F
2016 Zurich NoGi Open Nelton Pontes W Referee Decision ABS F
2016 Copa Podio Luan Carvalho W Pts: 0x0, Adv 77KG GP
2016 Copa Podio Dillon Danis W Pts: 0x0, Pen 77KG GP
2016 Copa Podio Edwin Najmi W Pts: 2x2, Adv 77KG GP
2016 Copa Podio Patrick Gaudio W Pts: 2x0 77KG GP
2016 Copa Podio Lucas Lepri L Pts: 0x0, Adv 77KG SF
2016 Copa Podio Dillon Danis W Injury 77KG 3RD
2016 Copa Podio John Combs W Pts: 4x0 86KG GP
2016 Copa Podio Erberth Santos L Botinha 86KG GP
2016 Copa Podio Claudio Calasans W Pts: 2x0 86KG GP
2016 Copa Podio Danilo Borovic W Pts: 4x0 86KG GP
2016 Copa Podio Leandro Lo L Pts: 2x0 86KG SF
2016 Manaus Open Charles Tavares W Bow and arrow 76KG F
2016 Copa Podio Rodrigo Cavaca D --- 105KG RR
2016 Copa Podio Gabriel Lucas W Pts: 4x0 105KG RR
2016 Copa Podio Nelton Pontes L Pts: 2x0 105KG RR
2016 Copa Podio Alexander Trans L Pts: 6x0 105KG RR
2017 Manaus Nat. Pro Diogo Fernandes W Submission 85KG R1
2017 Manaus Nat. Pro Luiz Galdez W Choke 85KG 4F
2017 Manaus Nat. Pro Manuel Ribamar W Points 85KG SF
2017 Manaus Nat. Pro Jaime Canuto W Points 85KG F
2017 Copa Podio Hugo Marques W Pts: 0x0, Adv 77KG RR
2017 Copa Podio Pedro Paquito D --- 77KG RR
2017 Copa Podio Espen Mathiesen L Pts: 2x0 77KG RR
2017 Copa Podio Renato Canuto W Pts: 4x2 77KG RR
2017 Copa Podio Isaque Bahiense L Pts: 2x0 77KG SF
2017 Copa Podio Delson Heleno W Pts: 0x0, Adv 77KG 3RD
2017 WP BR Qualifier Paulo Roberto W Choke 85KG R1
2017 WP BR Qualifier Charles Negromonte L Pts: 2x2, Adv 85KG 4F
2018 Copa Podio Charles Oliveira W Pts: 2x0 76KG SPF
2018 Team Nationals Guilherme Cordiviola L Pts: 0x0, Adv 76KG F
2018 Manaus Open Marcio Palheta W N/A 88KG SF
2018 Manaus Open Moises Cavalcante W N/A 88KG F
2019 Copa Podio Guitano Mione W Points 82KG SPF

11. Top Fights Links of Diego Borges

[THIRD PLACE] DIEGO BORGES VS NICHOLAS MEREGALI - SEASON 4 - BUENOS AIRES - ARGENTINA

DIEGO BORGES VS CLARK GRACIE - SEASON 2 PREMIÉRE - LIGHTWEIGHT GRAND PRIX - RIO DE JANEIRO - BRASIL

Diego Borges X Charles Tavares - Manaus International Open Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF 2016 -Final

DIEGO BORGES VS GABRIEL FEDOR - SEASON 4 FINALE - HEAVYWEIGHT GRAND PRIX - SÃO PAULO

Photo credit: @diego_borgesjj

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