Thamara Ferreira - Top Middleweight Female Black Belt

1. Thamara Ferreira’s Details

2. Thamara Ferreira’s Biography

Thamara Ferreira was born in Suzano, São Paulo, Brazil on 26th November 1995. She was a sports kid from her early childhood. In her teens, she started Jiu-Jitsu training and left her studies to pursue Jiu-Jitsu. Now Thamara Ferreira is a first-degree black belt.

2.1. Gymnastic Player

Thamara was an athletic child and started her sports career in gymnastics. Her gymnastics coach was Rodrigo Miranda at that time. She used to compete in national and international tournaments. She left gymnastics at 12 and moved to the Brazilian National Campus located in Guarulhos (SP) for a few months.

2.2. Joined Regional Soccer Team

Thamara rejoined sports in her teens when she started playing football and soccer. She played soccer in the regional team for two years.

2.3. Left Sports to Focus on Study

After playing football for two years, Thamara left sports to join a college program and pursue legal studies. At that time, she was disconnected from sports and focused on her studies.

2.4. Joined Jiu-Jitsu

At the age of 16, Ferreira again wanted to join sports along with her studies. Her love for sports did not let her away from sports for more time. At that time, she joined free BJJ classes offered by her college to add some activities to her mundane routine.

2.5. Marco Barbosa, Her First BJJ Coach

Ferreira was lucky to have the world-famous BJJ black belt, Marco Barbosa as her first BJJ coach. At the start, Ferreira did not like BJJ. She just liked the competitive aspect of grappling as she was of a highly competitive nature.

2.6. Quit Her Study to Focus on Jiu-Jitsu

After acquiring the blue belt, Ferreira became more familiar with Jiu-Jitsu and developed a passion for the gentle art. To focus on and pursue her Jiu-Jitsu career, Ferreira left her degree and started to give her 100% to Jiu-Jitsu.

2.7. Joined Cicero Costha

Thamara Ferreira joined Cicero Costha Jiu-Jitsu just after her Blue Belt and started her BJJ journey with Projeto Social Lutando Pelo Bem (PSLPB). In her journey with Cicero Costha, she decided to continue Jiu-Jitsu as a career. 

2.8. Joined Caio Terra Academy

Thamara Ferreira had a maximum of her Jiu-Jitsu journey with Cicero Costha. At the start of 2023, Thamara Ferreira switched her academy and joined Caio Terra Academy. Now she started her BJJ journey with a 4th-degree black belt, Caio Terra. She announced this through her Instagram post.

“Starting today I get to represent Caio Terra Academy. I am aware of my potential, I know I am different. To this day I still don’t feel stoned, and I don’t think I’ve explored my full potential either. I believe this big guy will help me with this. Once again I’m in good hands. Thank you, Caio Terra. Let’s get our year started!”

2.9. Thamara’s BJJ Pro Combats

Thamara’s Blue Belt Promotion

Thamara Ferreira was promoted to blue belt by her first coach, Marco Barbosa. After receiving her blue belt, she joined Cicero Costha.  

Thamara’s Black Belt Promotion

Thamara Ferreira received her purple, brown, and black belt from Cicero Costha. In June 2019, she received her black belt.

Multiple Times European Champion

Thamaar Ferreira is three times European Champion. She received her first European Champion title when she was a brown belt in 2018. Again in 2019, she became European Open Champion as a brown belt. After receiving her black belt in 2019, Thamara Ferreira once again won the European Championship gold medal in the middleweight division.

Two-Times World Championship

Thamara Ferreira is two times World Champion as a brown belt. In 2018, she was the No-Gi World Champion while in 2019, she was World Gi Champion.

Multiple-Times UAEJJF Grand Slam Winner

Thamara Ferreira is eight times UAEJJF Grand Slam gold medalist and two times silver medalist. In 2015, she was the blue belt champion in the UAEJJF Grand Slam in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 2017, she was the UAEJJF Grand Slam, London Champion. In 2018 and 2019, she won three Grand Slam Championships as a brown belt. After receiving a black belt in 2019, she was the Grand Slam Champion as a black belt in 2019 and 2020.

Got a Stripe on Her Belt

Thamar Ferreira who just joined Caio Terra Academy at the start of 2023 just received her first stripe on her belt in March 2023. She received this honor from Caio Terra, her new coach. Ferreira shared this news to her fans through her Instagram post. Her words are

“I wish I was a white belt today, because I wish I had learned all this time here”

“After almost a year of therapy and 4 months training at Caio Terra, I find myself full of energy, plans, and grateful for my life! I feel so good... I'm breathing self-knowledge. And that's good because when we really know each other, we live in a better way.”

“I thank you teacher@caioterrabjjfor making this day more special than it normally is being with you. And also for patience and trust”

3. Thamara Ferreira’s Historic Fights

3.1. Thamara Ferreira Vs. Melissa Stricker

Video Credit: @IBJJF

Thamara Ferreira faced Melissa Stricker in the final of the Santa Cruz Open 2022. They started the match in a sitting position and grasped the Gi sleeves of Stricker. Both tried to take down each other by pulling Gi in the first few minutes of the match. After some minutes, Ferreira succeeded in applying for a full guard position.

Stricker tried to escape, but Thamara again secured her position. Stricker again tried to escape, managed to free herself, and gained the top position. She tried to control Ferreira, but Ferreira trapped Stricker’s right arm and leg in her legs and submitted her via the omoplata armbar.

Year	Event	Opponent	W/L/D	Method	Weight	Stage
2022	Santa Cruz Open	Melissa Stricker	W	Omoplata Armbar	Absolute	Final

3.2. Thamara Ferreira Vs. Elisabeth Clay

Video Credit: @FloGrappling

Thamara Ferreira faced Elisabeth Clay in Fight to Win 186. Both competitors were highly energetic. Both started the fight in standing position and holding each other hand and in search of any opportunity to dominate each other. Elisabeth Clay is popular for her style of never missing any opportunity.

A few minutes later, Clay sat on the ground for an open guard but Ferreira pushed her back and trapped her foot. She tried for a toe hold but Clay actively escaped her foot. In the next few minutes, Clay was again in the sitting position. She tried to get any chance to dominate Ferreira while the latter was in a standing position and tried to overcome Clay.

Ferreira got a chance and she took control of Clay’s foot. At the same time, Clay trapped her foot. Both fighters went for a toe hold. But Ferreira twisted herself and submitted Clay with a toe hold.

Year	Event	Opponent	W/L/D	Method	Weight	Stage
2021	F2W 186	Elisabeth Clay	W	Toe Hold	70 kg	SPF

3.3. Thamara Ferreira Vs. Mayara Custodio

Video Credit: @IBJJF

Thamara Ferreira faced Mayara Custodio in the final of the Santa Cruz Open 2023. Thamara started the fight with her energetic try for a triangle. Custodio resisted her triangle choke but could not escape. Eventually, Thamara had to lose her grip and Custodio escaped from the triangle.

Now Custodio was in the top position and tried to control Thamara. Thamara countered, grasping her Gi lapels. She tried various times to overcome Custodio. A few minutes passed and Thamara applied for full guard. To escape from the full guard, Custodio stood up.

She again secured her top position and tried to control Thamara. Thamara again applied full guard, grasped her lapels, and applied a cross choke. She submitted Custodio with a cross choke and became the Santa Cruz Absolute Weight Champion.

Year	Event	Opponent	W/L/D	Method	Weight	Stage
2023	Santa Cruz Open	Mayara Custodio	W	Cross Choke	Absolute	Final

4. Thamara Ferreira’s Main Achievements

4.1. Thamara Ferreira’s Main Achievements in International Tournaments

Year	Event	Belt	Weight Division
2015	IBJJF South American Championship	Blue Belt	Middleweight
2015	IBJJF South American Championship	Blue Belt	Absolute
2015	CBJJ Brazilian Nationals NoGi	Blue Belt	Middleweight
2015	CBJJ Brazilian Nationals NoGi	Blue Belt	Absolute
2015	UAEJJF Grand Slam, Rio de Janeiro	Blue Belt	N/A
2017	UAEJJF Grand Slam, London	Purple Belt	N/A
2018	IBJJF World Championship NoGi	Brown Belt	Middleweight
2018	IBJJF European Open	Brown Belt	Middleweight
2018	CBJJ Brazilian Nationals	Brown Belt	Middleweight
2018	CBJJ Brazilian Nationals	Brown Belt	Absolute
2018	IBJJF Rio de Janeiro BJJ Pro	Brown Belt	Absolute
2018	UAEJJF Grand Slam, Rio de Janeiro	Brown Belt	N/A
2019	IBJJF World Championship	Brown Belt	Middleweight
2019	IBJJF European Open	Brown Belt	Middleweight
2019	CBJJ Brazilian Nationals	Brown Belt	Middleweight
2019	UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro	Brown Belt	N/A
2019	UAEJJF Grand Slam, London	Brown Belt	N/A
2019	UAEJJF Grand Slam, Abu Dhabi	Brown Belt	N/A
2019	UAEJJF Grand Slam, LA	Black Belt	Middleweight
2019	UAEJJF Grand Slam, RJ	Black Belt	Middleweight
2020	IBJJF European Open	Black Belt	Middleweight
2020	UAEJJF Grand Slam, AD	Black Belt	Middleweight
2022	UAEJJF Grand Slam, AD	Black Belt	Middleweight

4.2. Thamara Ferreira’s Main Achievements as Black Belt

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2019	UAEJJF Grand Slam, LA	Black Belt	1st
2019	UAEJJF Grand Slam, RJ	Black Belt	1st
2019	IBJJF World Championship NoGi	Black Belt	3rd
2020	IBJJF European Open	Black Belt	1st
2020	UAEJJF Grand Slam, AD	Black Belt	1st
2020	UAEJJF Queen Of Mats HW GP	Black Belt	3rd
2021	IBJJF World Championship	Black Belt	2nd
2022	IBJJF Pan Championship	Black Belt	1st

4.3. Thamara Ferreira’s Main Achievements as Color Belts

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2015	IBJJF South American Championship	Blue Belt	1st
2015	IBJJF South American Championship	Blue Belt	1st
2015	CBJJ Brazilian Nationals NoGi	Blue Belt	1st
2015	CBJJ Brazilian Nationals NoGi	Blue Belt	1st
2015	UAEJJF Grand Slam, Rio de Janeiro	Blue Belt	1st
2017	UAEJJF Grand Slam, London	Purple Belt	1st
2017	IBJJF World Championship	Purple Belt	2nd
2017	UAEJJF Grand Slam, Rio de Janeiro	Brown Belt	2nd
2018	IBJJF World Championship NoGi	Brown Belt	1st
2018	IBJJF European Open	Brown Belt	1st
2018	CBJJ Brazilian Nationals	Brown Belt	1st
2018	CBJJ Brazilian Nationals	Brown Belt	1st
2018	IBJJF Rio de Janeiro BJJ Pro	Brown Belt	1st
2018	UAEJJF Grand Slam, Rio de Janeiro	Brown Belt	1st
2018	UAEJJF Grand Slam, Abu Dhabi	Brown Belt	2nd
2019	IBJJF World Championship	Brown Belt	1st
2019	IBJJF European Open	Brown Belt	1st
2019	CBJJ Brazilian Nationals	Brown Belt	1st
2019	UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro	Brown Belt	1st
2019	UAEJJF Grand Slam, London	Brown Belt	1st
2019	UAEJJF Grand Slam, Abu Dhabi	Brown Belt	1st
2019	CBJJ Pans Championship	Brown Belt	2nd

5. Thamara Ferreira’s Professional Record Break Down

5.1. Thamara Ferreira’s Professional Record Breakdown

Matches	35 Wins	13 Losses
By Points	10	7
By Advantages	0	2
By Submission	22	3
By Decision	2	1
By Penalties	1	0
By DQ	0	0

5.2. Submission Method Breakdown

Method	22 Wins	3 Losses
Submission	7	0
Kneebar	3	0
Armbar	2	0
Omoplata Armbar	1	0
Toe Hold	4	0
Triangle	3	0
Omoplata	1	0
Cross Choke	1	0
RNC	0	1
Choke from Back	0	1
Choke	0	1

6. Thamara Ferreira’s Fight History

Year	Competition	Opponent	W/L	Method	Weight	Stage
2019	F2W 114	Claudia Do Val	W	Referee Decision	N/A	SPF
2019	Grand Slam LA	Woods Heather	W	Pts: 7x2	70KG	4F
2019	Grand Slam LA	Sarah Draht	W	submission	70KG	SF
2019	Grand Slam LA	Gabi McComb	W	submission	70KG	F
2019	Grand Slam RJ	Renata Marinho	W	Pts: 4x0	70KG	4F
2019	Grand Slam RJ	Melissa Cueto	W	Submission	70KG	SF
2019	Grand Slam RJ	Larissa Paes	W	Armbar	70KG	F
2019	NoGi Worlds	Vedha Toscano	L	Pts: 2x0	69KG	4F
2020	Queen Of Mats	Gabrieli Pessanha	L	RNC	95KG	RR
2020	Queen Of Mats	Martina Gremanius	W	Pts: 9x1	95KG	RR
2020	Queen Of Mats	Nathiely Jesus	L	Choke	95KG	SF
2020	Queen Of Mats	Kendall Reusing	W	Pts: 4x2	95KG	3RD
2020	European Open	Vedha Toscano	W	Kneebar	69KG	4F
2020	European Open	Hannah Rauch	W	Toe hold	69KG	SF
2020	European Open	Dannielle Alvarez	W	Kneebar	69KG	F
2020	France Nat. Pro	Gabrieli Pessanha	L	Adv	95KG	F
2020	South American Pro	Sabatha Lais	L	Choke from back	70KG	F
2020	Grand Slam LDN	Grace Ferla	W	Submission	70KG	4F
2020	Grand Slam LDN	Weronika Rot	W	Submission	70KG	SF
2020	Grand Slam LDN	Martina Gremanius	W	Triangle	70KG	F
2020	BJJ Stars 4	Beatriz Mesquita	L	Pts: 4x0	69KG	SPF
2020	Grand Slam RJ	Vanessa Araujo	W	Triangle	70KG	4F
2020	Grand Slam RJ	Sabatha Lais	W	Pts: 2x1	70KG	SF
2020	Grand Slam RJ	Julia Boscher	L	Pts: 2x1	70KG	F
2021	BJJ Stars 5	Beatriz Mesquita	L	Pts: 2x0	N/A	SPF
2021	The New Star	Renata Marinho	W	Kneebar	70KG	R1
2021	The New Star	Izadora Cristina	L	Pts: 7x4	70KG	SF
2021	SA Cont. Pro	Jessika Bartoli	W	Pts: 8x3	70KG	R1
2021	SA Cont. Pro	Victoria Ulrich	W	Submission	70KG	4F
2021	SA Cont. Pro	Stephanie Faure	W	Submission	70KG	SF
2021	SA Cont. Pro	Izadora Cristina	W	Referee Decision	70KG	F
2021	F2W 186	Elisabeth Clay	W	Toe hold	70KG	SPF
2021	World Champ.	Elizabeth Exell	W	Armbar	69KG	4F
2021	World Champ.	Raquel Canuto	W	Pts: 5x0	69KG	SF
2021	World Champ.	Andresa Cintra	L	Pts: 2x2, Adv	69KG	F
2022	Pan American	Natalia Zumba	W	Pts: 6x0	69KG	SF
2022	Pan American	Chloe McNally	W	Pts: 0x0, Pen	69KG	F
2022	World Champ.	Natalia Zumba	W	Toe hold	69KG	4F
2022	World Champ.	Thalyta Silva	L	Pts: 2x0	69KG	SF
2022	Santa Cruz Open	Mayara Custodio	W	Omoplata	ABS	SF
2022	Santa Cruz Open	Melissa Cueto	W	Omoplata armbar	ABS	F
2022	Grand Slam MIA	Thalyta Silva	W	Pts: 3x0	70KG	4F
2022	Grand Slam MIA	Izadora Cristina	L	Pts: 2x2	70KG	SF
2023	Pan American	Elisabeth Clay	L	Referee Decision	69KG	SF
2023	Santa Cruz O	Kylie Lasater	W	N/A	ABS	SF
2023	Santa Cruz O	Mayara Custodio	W	Cross choke	ABS	F
2023	S. Cruz NGO	Isa Reiber	W	Triangle	ABS	SF
2023	S. Cruz NGO	Kaimana Newman	W	Toe hold	ABS	F

7. Thamara Ferreira’s Top Fights Links

Photo Credit: @onethamara