BJJ

Fredson Paixao - The Black Belt Anomaly of BJJ

Fredson Paixao - The Black Belt Anomaly of BJJ

1. Fredson Paixao Details

Fredson Paixao Details
Name Fredson Paixão Da Silva Melo
Nickname N/A
Born Parintins, Amazonas, Brazil
Current Residence Las Vegas
Age 43
Date of Birth May 13, 1979
Nationality Brazilian
College/University N/A
Last Fight December 12, 2019
Last Weigh In 148.0 lbs. 67.1 Kg
Weight Class Featherweight
Weight 145 lb (66 Kg)
Height 65.4'
(1.68 m)
Reach Reach: 64.0" (163cm)
Pro MMA Record 10-5-0, (Win-Loss-Draw) 1 NC
MMA Record 17/11/5
Career Disclosed Earnings Approximately $17,600 USD
Fighting Out of Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Foundational style Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, MMA
Favorite Technique Wristlock
Rank 5th degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Awarded By  Osvaldo Alves
Head Coach Osvaldo Alves
Lineage Carlos Gracie -> Reyson Gracie -> Osvaldo Alves -> Fredson Paixao
Team/Association Fredson Paixão Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association
Gracie Barra Combat Team
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2. Fredson Paixao Biography

2.1. Fredson Paixao Early Life

Fredson Paixao was born on the 13 May 1979 in the state of Amazonas in Parintins Town located near Manaus. Since his childhood, he was a big fan of Bruce Lee. He used to watch his movies but at that time he did not practice or showed any interest in martial arts.

2.2. Entering The World Of Martial Arts

Entering The World Of Martial Arts

At the age of 13, most of his friends were interested in Jiu Jitsu and some have already joined the grappling martial art. At that time, Paixao never thought about the grappling aspect of Martial Arts. He thought the striking feature of martial arts made it an efficient combat sport mainly because Bruce Lee inspired him.

Later in 1994, his same friend invited Fredson for some help in the Jiu-Jitsu gym. Fredson helped his friends in painting the gym walls and place new mats in the rolling area of the gym. Fredson’s friends discussed the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu all day and its efficiency in building a career as a fighter.  That conversation made him think about Joining Jiu Jitsu. Fredson finally enrolled in the Orley Labatos gym for Brazilian Jiu-JItsu training. From there, Fredson’s martial art journey started and his passion for Jiu-Jitsu increased day by day.

2.3. Fredson Paixao First Tournament

Fredson Paixao’s first tournament of mixed division ( White/ Blue Belts ) revealed he has great potential to become a seasoned fighter. After only four months of training with white belt fighters, he successfully defeated the blue belt fighter through submissions in the semi-finals. After that Fredson did not look back. His success stories are still popular in the BJJ community.

2.4. Fredson Paixao World Championships

Just after two years, Fredson was called to Rio de Janeiro by his instructor Orley. Orley was an excellent coach who competed under the Osvaldo Alves banner and was famous for his efficient and effective training sessions. Orley called Fredson to fight in the World Championship as a blue belt but the position was already filled.

But Master Osvaldo didn't let him feel disappointed. He called him to fight instead under the purple belt division. Paixao immediately accepted the belt promotion.

2.5. Fredson Paixao Self-Belief

After winning the purple belt division, Fredson decided to stay in Rio de Janeiro for training, He stayed at a friend's place for a few days and then moved to Osvaldo Alves's apartment. Fredson Paixao did not want to go back to Manaus and stayed in Rio de Janeiro for several years and trained hard.

2.6. Journey From Purple Belt to Direct Black Belt

From 1997 to 1999, Fredson Paixao won three gold medals in the Brazilian Nationals. After that, many people expected to see Fredson in the brown belt championships but Alves was thinking differently about Fredson. He promoted Fredson Paixao directly to the black belt in 1998.

In the history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Fredson is one of only two persons who directly got promoted from Blue Belt to Black Belt.

2.7. Fredson Paixao’s Successful Career

Fredson Paixao's career reached its peak when he won first place in Brazilian Nationals five times and three times in Mundial as a Black Belt. He won the national fights both for Osvaldo Alves and Gracie Barra.

2.8. Fredson Paixao MMA Training

In 2004, Fredson Paixao's debut fight in MMA was organized with Rani Yahya. Rani Yahya was a tough and pro fighter in the MMA squad but Fredson won the fight by decision.

2.9. Fredson Paixao MMA Career

Fredson Paixao MMA Career

Paixao, in his debut match at WEC 40 lost against Wagnney Fabiano via unanimous decision and then again faced a loss in WEC 42 against Cole Province via split decision but the results changed when Cole Province was tested positive for banned substances.

In WEC 47, Fredson faced Courtney Buck and secured a win via submission and in WEC 50 his opponent was Bryan Caraway whom Paixao defeated via split decision.

Fredson Paixao is honored to be part of the first featherweight UFC fight. He was knocked out by his opponent Pablo Garza.

Fredson Paixao is now living as a personal BJJ and UFC coach of many fighters.

2.10. Fredson Paixao Historic Fights

Fredson Paixao Historic Fights

Fredson Paixao vs Pablo Garza


After the official merger of World Extreme Cagefighting with UFC in 2010, it was the first UFC featherweight fight between Fredson Paixao and Pablo Garza. Paixao was famous for his unique skill set of using wrist locks and previously Pablo has secured many submission wins.

At the end of the first minute of round one, Fredson went for a takedown attempt but before he could grab the legs, Pablo applied a deadly flying left knee right under his chin of Fredson and knocked him out in 51 seconds.

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Round Weight Class Location
2010 UFC-The Ultimate fighter 12 Finale Pablo Garza Loss Flying Knee 1 Featherweight Las Vegas

Fredson Paixao vs Bryan Caraway

Bryan's first bout after recovery from a knee injury was set with Paixao. Bryan won this fight via a split decision. In the start, Bryan Caraway was not able to handle sudden attacks from Fredson. Broadway's efforts to escape chokes were remarkable but in the end, Fredson secured the win.

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Round Weight Class Location
2010 WEC 50: Cruz vs. Benavidez Bryan Caraway Win Split Decision 3 Featherweight Las Vegas

Fredson Paixao vs Wellington "Megaton" Dias


In this bout, Fredson and Megaton were pro fighters but the featherweight champion stole the show as most of the audience was expecting Fredson to win the match.

Megaton remained dominant throughout the match.

Fredson attempted a knee lock but luckily Wellington managed to escape from it. In the end, Wellington won by decision.

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Stage Weight Class Location
2007 PAN Championship Wellington “Megaton” Dias Loss Decision N/A Featherweight United States

3. Fredson Paixao’s Instructorship

Fredson Paixao teaches in affiliate schools under the Fredson Paixao Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu banner in different cities and towns of Las Vegas. Most of the affiliate schools are in California, Okinawa, and Japan. Fredson Paixao's instructional series are also available for BJJ students.

4. Fredson Paixao Championships and Accomplishments

CBJJ Brazilian Nationals Championship

Year Medal
2000 Gold
2001 Gold
2002 Gold
2003 Gold
2004 Gold

5. Fredson Paixao’s Main Achievements

5.1. Four Time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion

Year Division
1998 Lightweight
2001 Lightweight
2002 Lightweight
2005 Lightweight

5.2. Nine-time Brazilian National Champion

Year Division
1996 Lightweight
1997 Lightweight
1998 Lightweight
1999 Lightweight
2000 Lightweight
2001 Lightweight
2002 Lightweight
2003 Lightweight
2004 Lightweight

6. Fredson Paixao Main Achievements (Belt)

6.1 Black Belt

Position Belt Event Year
1st Black Brazilian Nationals 1999

6.2 Color Belts

Position Belt Event Year
1st Purple CBJJ Brazilian National Champion 1997
1st Purple CBJJ Brazilian National Champion 1998
1st Purple CBJJ Brazilian National Champion 1999

7. Fredson Paixao Professional Record Breakdown

Professional Record Breakdown
Matches 17 Wins: 11 Losses: 5
By Knockout 1 1
By Submission 6 0
By Decision 4 4
No Contest 1

8. Fredson Paixao Fight History

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Stage Weight Division
2019 Quintet Ultra Craig Jones L Rear Naked Choke N/A Featherweight
2007 Pan Championship Wellington L Decision N/A Featherweight
2005 IBJJF Mario Reis W Decision N/A Featherweight
2004 IBJJF Mario Reis L Points N/A Featherweight
2002 IBJJF Anderson Bezerra W Submission Choke N/A Featherweight
2002 Worlds BJJ Robson Moura W Triangle Choke N/A Featherweight
2001 IBJJF Fredson Alves Ribeiro W Points N/A Featherweight

8.1 Submission Methods W/L

Submission Method Wins: 6 Loss: 0
Rear Naked Choke (RNC) 3 0
Armbar 2 0
TKO 1 0

9. Fredson Paixao MMA Fight History

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Round Weight Class Location
2012 RFA 4: Griffin vs. Escudero Lance Palmer L Split Decision 3 Catchweight Las Vegas
2010 The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale Pablo Garza L KO ( Flying Knee) 1 Featherweight Las Vegas
2010 WEC 50: Cruz vs. Benavidez Bryan Caraway W Split Decision 3 Featherweight Las Vegas
2010 WEC 47: Bowles vs Cruz Courtney Buck W Rear Naked Choke 1 Featherweight Columbus, Ohio, United States
2009 WEC 42: Torres vs. Bowles Cole Province NC Decision Overturned 3 Featherweight Las Vegas
2009 WEC 40: Torres vs. Mizugaki Wagnney Fabiano L Unanimous Decision 3 Featherweight Chicago, US
2009 Knockout Promotions Mitch Coats W Submission 1 N/A United States
2007 GFC: Evolution Thomas Denny W Submission Armbar 1 N/A columbus, Ohio, United States
2006 Deep 25 Impact Masakazu Imanari W Decision 1 N/A Tokyo, Japan
2006 Jungle Fight Marcos Galvão L Decision 3 N/A Manaus, Brazil
2006 GFC: Team Gracie vs. Team Hammer House Mike French W Submission Armbar 2 N/A Columbus, Ohio, United States
2005 Jungle Fight 5 Miljan Djurasinovic W Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 N/A Manaus, Brazil
2005 Jungle Fight 4 Jean Robert Monier W Submission (rear-naked choke) 3 N/A Manaus, Brazil
2004 Jungle Fight 3 Fabio Mello W Unanimous Decision 3 N/A Manaus, Brazil
2004 Papucaia Fight 1 Andre Rodrigues W TKO 0 N/A Papucaia, Brazil
2004 Pancrase: Brave 7 Yoshiro Maeda L Decision (unanimous) 3 N/A Osaka, Japan
2004 Jungle Fight 2 Rani Yahya W Decision 3 N/A Manaus, Brazil

10. Fredson Paixao Top Video Links

The Nastiest Submission in BJJ with Fredson Paixao || BJJ Hacks TV Episode 6.1

Fredson Paixao vs Reinaldo Ribeiro Jiu Jitsu Match | Brasileiro 2001

US Open 2009 Black Belt - Daniel Mesquita(Fredson Paixao BJJ) vs Vince Vanderlipe

fredson paixao part 2 fight 2 vs Marcos Torregrosa

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