Gabriel Costa “Maranhão”- The BJJ Black Belt Rising Star

Gabriel Costa is an enthusiastic young adult BJJ black belt athlete under Luiz Guilherme. He started his jiu-jitsu career at the age of 12 and since then has competed in multiple major national and international events such as the European Open, IBJJF American Nationals, CBJJ Brazilian Nationals, IBJJF International Open, Abu Dhabi Grand Slam and ACBJJ South America Championships, taking home medals. Costa also works as a trainer at the Guigo Academy. 

Gabriel Costa was born on April 22, 1998, in Bacabal, a city in Marahao, Brazil. Costa was born in a small town in which there are not many sports facilities. He was only 12 years old when his parents divorced, and he moved to Sao Luis to live with his mother and stepfather. Costa’s stepdad encouraged him to join Guigo Jiu-Jitsu Academy, which was quite near his home. In Guigo Academy, he was trained under Roberto Ferreira, a black belt fighter under Luiz Guilherme. After school, he spent most of his day in the gym watching adult black belt athletes and training. Costa’s obsession with Jiu-Jitsu constantly progresses, and he decides to pursue Jiu-Jitsu as his full-time career.

Costa was a quick learner, and within a few months of training, he started to compete in local tournaments and won bouts. Due to his tremendous performances on the mat, his coach, Roberto Ferreira, promoted him to blue belt in 2015. Master Ferreira took the young boy to Sao Paulo to train him at the Guigo Academy’s Headquarters under Luiz Guilherme. When Guilherme saw the young boy's potential, he offered him a full-time training scholarship to stay in Sao Paulo. Costa immediately accepted his offer and started training under the legendary Luiz Guilherme. Soon, he began to compete at national levels and won a silver medal in the IBJJF Brazilian Nationals. In 2017, Costa was promoted to purple belt by his coaches, Luiz Guilherme and Otovia Natali. He then fought in major national tournaments but, unfortunately, could not compete in the international circuit due to visa issues. After getting promoted to brown belt in 2020, he competed at the European Open and secured a silver medal.

Gabriel Costa is among the strongest and most commanding Jiu-Jitsu athletes. On September 09, 2020, a 21-year-old boy was promoted to BJJ black belt under Master Luiz Guilherme. After achieving this massive victory, he said:

Costa began his BJJ black belt journey, competing against BJJ top fighters in national and international tournaments. At black belt, he has won titles at the IBJJF American Nationals, IBJJF International Open, AJP Grand Slam, and AJP South America.

Gabriel Costa is only 25 years old and is currently an active BJJ grappler. Along with competing against high-ranked fighters in national and international tournaments, traveling worldwide, and attending multiple seminars and tournaments,  Costa also trains kids at the Guigo Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Sao Paulo.

Gabriel Costa has already announced his excitement for his upcoming fights on his social media account. In February 2024, Costa will compete at the AJP Tour- Peru. Later in 2024, he will be seen on the IBJJF Pan American Championship and CBJJ Brazilian Nationals mats.

In the 2020 European Open Championship, an outstanding grappling fight occurred between Gabriel Costa and Oliver Dillon in the eliminator round. Costa attempted a side arm bar by keeping his opponent in the mounted position, maintaining his body pressure against him. Costa won the match via a rare naked choke.

In the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, the final match was held between Gabriel Costa and Uanderson Ferreira. Ferreira black-flipped his opponent, dragging him onto the floor, but Costa held him from the back, keeping his shoulder locked around his neck. Ferriera tried to get on his knees, but Costa attempted a heel hook and won the fight by choking his opponent from the back.

In the 2022 Majestic BJJ finals, an electrifying grappling match occurred between two top athletes, Gabriel Costa and Mica Galvao. It was an intense competition as both fighters tried for a single-leg sweep to drag their opponent on the mat. Galvao beautifully attempted an inside heel hook and locked Costa's foot, winning the match.

Tainan Dalpra VS Gabriel Costa / European Championship 2020

Gabriel Costa vs Ruan Oliveira / New Haven Open 2023

Gabriel Costa v Leandro Santos / Salvador Fall Open 2023

Gabriel Costa v Matheus Gadelha / Salvador Fall Open No-Gi 2023

Ronaldo Junior vs Gabriel Costa / American National 2023

Photo Credit: @gcostabjj