BJJ

Matheus Gabriel - Submission Specialist BJJ Champion

Matheus Gabriel - Submission Specialist BJJ Champion

1. Matheus Gabriel’s Details

Full Name Matheus Gabriel Pinheiro Barros
Nickname N/A
Born Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil
Date of Birth June 10, 1997
Height N/A
Weight N/A
Weight Division Peso Pena (70 kg / 154.5 lbs)
Foundational Style Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Rank Black Belt
Head Coach Alcenor Alves
Favorite Position/Technique DLR and Reverse DLR Hook
Lineage Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Junior > Rigan Machado > Keiser Girão > Matheus Gabriel
Team Association Checkmat

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2. Matheus Gabriel’s Biography

Matheus Gabriel was in Manaus, the capital city of Amazonas State in northwestern Brazil. Gabriel is a highly proficient player in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, having a black belt in the martial art. Born and grew up in Brazil, he started Jiu-Jitsu training at an early age. He started opposing in county as well as local competitions as his ability as well as dedication to the sport became evident. Gabriel became known for his skilled technique, physical ability, and defensive approach to the sport. His dedication and determination paid off, as he quickly represented through the ranks in the Jiu-Jitsu community. As a coach and instructor, he also shares his knowledge and experience with others, helping in the development of the coming Jiu-Jitsu participants.

2.1 Matheus Gabriel’s Early Life

Born on June 10, 1997, Matheus Gabriel grew up in Manaus, the capital city of Amazonas State on the banks of the Negro River in northwestern Brazil.


In 2006, when he was eight years old, he developed an interest in jiu-jitsu. Matheus decided to go to Rio de Janeiro and work with coach Márcio Rodrigues. Rodrigues oversaw an initiative that awarded BJJ grants to young, talented competitors. This program brought together other ensuring customers, including Ygor and Yago Rodrigues, Erberth Santos, and Lucas Barbosa.


Gabriel before showed signs of being a star in his mid-adolescent years. Realizing that he had great potential at the age of 15, the owner of a Checkmat BJJ suggested Gabriel to a friend of his who was a renowned BJJ coach in Dallas, Texas, Mr. Kaiser Girão. Gabriel's international career started to take off in the US Purple Belt at that point.


During that period, the young fighter from Manaus defeated 96 opponents with wins out of 102 bouts. Gabriel managed to secure the purple belt division's highest submission percentage during this entire period.


While in Dallas, Texas, Gabriel trained jiu-jitsu at the neighboring Checkmat foundation under the previously mentioned Kaiser Girão. Considering the size of his training ground. This is in addition to his wrestling under All-American double-cross Melvin Lofton. With such a strong group at his back.

2.2 Initial Exposure to BJJ

Growing up Matheus developed a passion for football and soccer, participating in the local kids' gym. He was first introduced to BJJ by a friend who encouraged him to try a class at a local gym. Gabriel was keen on the game and immediately drawn by its procedures and mental and actual difficulties, and he started reliably with his rehearsing schedule. He found that BJJ gives both unique and solid self-preservation and a steady climate of viable experts.

Gabriel's commitment to BJJ created over the long run, and he in the end transformed into an excited and gifted proficient in BJJ techniques.

2.3 Matheus Gabriel’s First Coach

Alcenor Alves was Gabriel’s first coach, he is known as one of the best young Brazilian coaches. Matheus Gabriel gained a lot under his guidance he improved his BJJ techniques and established a strong basis in the martial arts.

2.4 Matheus Gabriel’s Training Journey

His approach toward improving his technique and skill development is probably a combination of his intensive workouts, training, focused work, and continuous efforts to improve his skills and techniques.


Gabriel most likely trains with imagined competition situations to prepare for the mental and physical challenges of the competitions.


Probably, Matheus Gabriel is still searching for new strategies, coaching, and martial arts regimens to help him level up his skills.

2.5 Journey to the USA

Matheus Gabriel in his mid-teens at the age of 15 decided to join coach Marcio Rodrigues when he felt his potential towards the BJJ. Gabriel spent almost 2 years there and then came back to Manaus.


Seeing Gabriel’s efficient and tremendous skills Gabriel’s friend John Kleicy suggested his name to his friend who is one of the renowned coaches in Dallas, Mr. Kaiser Girão. He then brings Gabriel to America and helps him to further develop his skills as a fighter.

2.6 Matheus Gabriel’s Black Belt Journey

Matheus Gabriel went to the United States for his purple belt it was that time when his career started to fall off. Meanwhile, in the same year, he won 96 matches out of 102. He carried the best ratio submission of the purple belt division.


Gabriel started training at Jiu-Jitsu in Dallas at a local academy with Kaiser Girao. All this while working on his wrestling.


He earned the title of brown belt by using the absolute method, losing only 1 match under the featherweight class.


He was the first brown belt athlete to do 23 submissions out of 33 wins in 4 different weight categories. (Brown-Belt record 33-1-0)


After putting in so much and struggling through his career in the lower belt categories, he finally won his first IBJJFF world title with the Gi and was promoted to Black-belt by Kaiser Girao.

2.7 Matheus Gabriel as an Instructor

Matheus Gabriel is a highly patient and experienced instructor towards his students. He is quite dedicated to his profession regarding teaching students BJJ and helping them to develop their skills and achieve their full potential in BJJ.

3. Matheus Gabriel’s Historic Fights

3.1. Matheus Gabriel vs Kade Ruotolo

In 2022, the ONE Championship was held in the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. It was a very interesting match Ruotolo started to lock Matheus Gabriel and tried multiple times to footlock but Maheus’s amazing guard and submission technique kept him going.


He tried to disrupt Ruotolo’s posture by keeping his legs in front of him, but Ruotolo maintained his posture and tried to get past the legs Gabriel tried to attack in a different position from the bottom and that's the NoGi technique.


Gabriel doubled Ruotolo with his legs but his ankle got hurt.


Both the fighters did very well and Kade Ruotolo won his first Lightweight Submission Grappling world title.


Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Stage Weight Class Location
2022 One FC Kade Ruotolo Loss Referee Decision SPF 77 kgs Manila, Philippines

3.2. Matheus Gabriel VS Marcio Andre

In 2019, the world championship was held at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California. It was a very captivating tournament Matheus Gabriel started by locking his toe around Andre.


He got 2 adv points for the edge bounds. Andre had a chance to get 3 advantage points if he gets a sweep. But Gabriel strangles and locks him up and becomes the Black-Belt featherweight champion.


Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Stage Weight Class Location
2019 World Champ. Marcio Andre Win Armlock F Feather Long Beach, California

3.3. Matheus Gabriel VS Osvaldo Moizinho

In 2019 the World Championship was held in California, Osvaldo Moizinho started by wrapping his legs around Gabriel’s but was still not able to capture him.


Matheus Gabriel very smartly gave the top position to Moizinho so that he could sweep back. Both the players played well and Gabriel under his featherweight got the Black belt by winning from 2 points.


Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Stage Weight Class Location
2019 World Champ. Osvaldo Moizinho Win Pts: 4x2 SF Feather California

4. Matheus Gabriel’s Main Achievements

4.1. Matheus Gabriel’s National and International Accomplishments

Year Event Medal Weight Division
2018 JJWL Texas Open Silver Silver Medal Icon Light
2019 Houston Open Gold Gold Medal Icon Feather
2019 Pan American Silver Silver Medal Icon Feather
2019 Pan American Gold Gold Medal Icon Feather
2019 World Champ. Silver Silver Medal Icon Feather
2019 World Champ. Gold Gold Medal Icon Feather
2019 Spyder Invitational Silver Silver Medal Icon Light
2019 Spyder Invitational Gold Gold Medal Icon Light
2020 Pan American Silver Silver Medal Icon Feather
2020 Pan American Gold Gold Medal Icon Feather
2019 World Champ. Gold Gold Medal Icon Feather
2019 Spyder Invitational Gold Gold Medal Icon Light
2020 Pan American Gold Gold Medal Icon Feather
2021 EUG 1 Gold Gold Medal Icon Feather
2021 N.Orleans NGO Gold Gold Medal Icon 79kgs
2021 N.Orleans NGO Gold Gold Medal Icon ABS
2021 NoGi Pan Am Gold Gold Medal Icon 79kgs
2021 Brasileiro Gold Gold Medal Icon Light
2021 World Champ. Silver Silver Medal Icon Light
2022 Houston Open Gold Gold Medal Icon Light
2022 Austin SMO Gold Gold Medal Icon Light
2022 Austin SMNGO Final 79kgs
2022 BJJ Stars Gold Gold Medal Icon Light
2023 Houston Open Gold Gold Medal Icon Light

4.2. Matheus Gabriel’s Main Achievements (Belts)

Year Event Position Belt
2019 IBJJF World Championship 1st Place Black
2019 IBJJF Pans Championship 1st Place Black
2020 IBJJF Pans Championship 2nd Place Black
2021 IBJJF World Championship 1st Place Black
2021 IBJJF Pans Championship NOGI 1st Place Black
2021 IBJJF Brazilian Nationals 1st Place Black

4.3. Matheus Gabriel’s Main Achievements (Colored Belts)

Year Event Position Belt
2016 IBJJF Pans Championship 2nd Place Blue
2016 IBJJF World Championship 3rd Place Blue
2016 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship 1st Place Purple
2017 IBJJF Pans Championship 1st Place Purple
2017 IBJJF American Nationals 1st Place Purple
2017 IBJJF American No-Gi Nationals 1st Place Purple
2017 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship 1st Place Brown
2018 IBJJF World Championship 1st Place Brown
2018 Place IBJJF Pans Championship 3rd Place Brown

5. Matheus Gabriel’s Professional Breakdown

Matches 53 Wins 11 Losses
By Points 19 4
By Advantage 3 0
By Submission 25 1
By Decision 4 6
By Penalty 2 0
BY DQ 0 0
Draw 0

5.1. Submission Methods W/L

Method Wins Losses
Armbar 10 00
Choke From Back 02 00
RNC 01 01
Triangle Choke 04 00
Armlock 02 00
Choke 01 00
Inside Heel Hook 02 00
Triangle Armbar 01 00
50/50 Armbar 03 00

6. Matheus Gabriel’s Fight History

Opponent W/L Method Competition Weight Stage Year
Paulo Miyao L Pts: 8X6 Spider Inv. 4F Light SPF 2018
Santiago Ferina W Armbar F2W 87 Pro Medium Heavy SPF 2018
Rennick Kama W Choke from back JJWL Texas Open 76kgs SF 2018
Kennedy Maciel L RNC NoGi Worlds 67kgs R1 2018
Marcio Andre L Referee Decision F2W99 76kgs SPF 2019
Orlando Andaviza W Triangle Houston Open Feather F 2019
Justin Rice W Choke F2W104 Feather SPF 2019
Kennedy Maciel W Armbar Pan American Feather 8F 2019
Leo Saggioro W Pts: 6X2 Pan American Feather 4F 2019
Rafael Mansur W Pts: 4x2 Pan American Feather SF 2019
Jamil Hill-Taylor W Pts: 4x4, Pen Pan American Feather F 2019
Joao Mendes W Pts: 6x4 World Champ. Feather R2 2019
Osvaldo Moizinho W Pts: 4x2 World Champ. Feather SF 2019
Marcio Andre W Armlock World Champ. Feather F 2019
Geo Martinez W Referee Decision ADCC 66kgs R1 2019
Augusto Mendes L Referee Decision ADCC 66kgs 4F 2019
Augusto Mendes L Referee Decision F2W 127 Feather SPF 2019
Edwin Najmi W Pts: 4x2 Spyder Invitational Light 4F 2019
Johnatha Alves W Pts: 2x2, Adv Spyder Invitational Light SF 2019
Levi Jones L Pts: 2x0 Spyder Invitational Light F 2019
Lucas Valente L Referee Decision F2W 142 79kgs SPF 2020
Brian Mahecha W Choke from back Pan American Feather 8F 2020
Kennedy Maciel W Pts: 2x0 Pan American Feather 4F 2020
Richar Nogueira W Pts: 4x2 Pan American Feather SF 2020
Thiago Macedo L Pts: 2x0 Pan American Feather F 2020
Johnatha Alves W Pts: 4x2 EUG 1 Feather 4F 2021
Marcio Andre W Referee Decision EUG 1 Feather SF 2021
Andy Murasaki L Referee Decision EUG 1 Feather F 2021
Tyler Scalisi W Inside heel hook N.Orleans NGO 79kgs SF 2021
Michael Trasso W Triangle armbar N.Orleans NGO 79kgs F 2021
Tex Johnson W Pts: 2x0 N.Orleans NGO ABS 4F 2021
Francisco Cuneo W Pts: 4x0 N.Orleans NGO ABS SF 2021
Diego Ramalho W Pts: 2x0 N.Orleans NGO ABS F 2021
Leo Silva W Pts: 0x0, Adv NoGi Pan Am 79kgs R1 2021
Enrique Galarza W Pts: 2x0 NoGi Pan Am 79kgs 8F 2021
Felipe Cesar W Pts: 2x2, Adv NoGi Pan Am 79kgs 4F 2021
Michael Trasso W Triangle NoGi Pan Am 79kgs SF 2021
Hugo Marques W Pts: 2x0 NoGi Pan Am 79kgs F 2021
Luan Carvalho W 50/50 armbar BJJ Bet 82kgs SPF 2021
Leandro Lima W Armbar Brasileiro Light R1 2021
Vinicius Pereira W Armbar Brasileiro Light 4F 2021
Natan Chueng W Armbar Brasileiro Light SF 2021
Sergio Soares W Triangle Brasileiro Light F 2021
Kevin Mahecha W 50/50 armbar World Champ. Light 8F 2021
Michael Liera W Pts: 4x2 World Champ. Light 4F 2021
Lucas Valente W Referee Decision World Champ. Light SF 2021
Max Danrley W Armlock Houston Open Light 4F 2022
Arthur Detanico W Armbar Houston Open Light SF 2022
Fabricio Barbarotti W Armbar Houston Open Light F 2022
Alef Brito W Pts: 2x0 World Champ. Light 8F 2022
Mica Galvao L Pts: 4x2 World Champ. Light 4F 2022
Carlos Mejia W Triangle Austin SMO Light SF 2022
Pablo Lavaselli W 50/50 armbar Austin SMO Light F 2022
Matheus Galvao W Inside heel hook Austin SMNGO N/A SF 2022
Lucas Wilhan W Armbar Austin SMNGO N/A F 2022
Wallison Oliveira W Armbar BJJ stars Light 4F 2022
Israel Sousa W Pts: 4x2 BJJ Stars Light SF 2022
Meyram Maquine W Pts: 2x0 BJJ Stars Light F 2022
Kade Ruotolo L Referee Decision One FC 77kgs SPF 2022
Lukete Silva W Armbar Houston Open Light 4F 2023
Carlos Henrique W Points Houston Open Light SF 2023
Richar Nogueira W Points Houston Open Light F 2023
Levi Jones W Referee Decision World Champ. Light R1 2023
Victor Nithael W Pts: 4x4, Pen World Champ. Light 8F 2023
Murilo Amaral L Injury World Champ. Light 4F 2023

7. Matheus Gabriel’s Top Fights

Kade Ruotolo vs. Matheus Gabriel | ONE Championship Full Fight

Matheus Gabriel VS Marcio Andre / World Championship 2019

Matheus Gabriel VS Osvaldo Moizinho / World Championship 2019


Photo Credit: @matheusgabrieljj

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