Thamires Monteiro - BJJ Black Belt

Thamires Monteiro is a BJJ Black Belt under Lucas Leite. She is a representative of CheckMat Jiu-Jitsu on an international scale. She gained fame as a Brown Belt when she won various medals in the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) competitions. She is an adept Gi and No-Gi grappler.

Thamires was born in Vila Mariana, São Paulo on 8 January 1998. She was brought up in Mogi das Cruzes.

Unlike other practitioners, Thamires wasn’t an athletic child. She was never fascinated by sports and other such activities. She enjoyed her time in school. She was just involved in dance and swimming and even this wasn’t on any competitive level. Despite being a Brazilian, Thamires didn’t opt for any form of martial arts in her early life.

She is often called “Tammi”, short for Thamires.

In 2014, Tammi went to a BJJ academy just to accompany her grappler friend. But little did Tammi know that she was going to be a part of the sport soon. She just went with her enthusiastic friend but came back as a girl who got admired by the gentle art of BJJ.

Soon after getting to know what BJJ is, Tammi joined a BJJ academy. At that time, Tammi just followed her instincts. She didn’t think for how long she would practice BJJ or rather carry it as her career.

But soon after dedicating some years to BJJ, Tammi finally decided to pursue it professionally. She even started competing as soon as she decided to become a professional BJJ athlete.

Meanwhile, Tammi decided to join a more famous academy. She then joined the team New School Brotherhood. She then trained under Leandro Lo as he was the head coach of the team. She was very much inspired by Leandro Lo’s fighting style and that is why she chose New School Brotherhood as her new BJJ home.

As Thamires competed in international tournaments, she used to travel to the US. There she got the chance to meet Andre and Angelica Galvao. It was then that Thamires decided to join Team Atos.

Thamires represented Team Atos on the international scale for a short time and then left to join her husband at the Checkmat La Habra Academy. Lucas Leite was the team’s coach. Thamires Monteiro then trained under Lucas Leite and was promoted to other belts by none other than Lucas Leite.

Thamires Monteiro is married to Jackson Douglas, who is a BJJ Black Belt under Lucas Leite. He was promoted to Black Belt in December 2020 but he has been on the IBJJF’s radar since he was a colored belt.

In 2016, as a Blue Belt, Thamires Monteiro won the first position at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals No-Gi.

Thamires was training at New School Brotherhood when she was promoted to Purple Belt. That belt promotion worked as a booster for Thamires as she claimed a number of IBJJF championships after that.

Thamires Monteiro became the IBJJF Pan Champion in 2020 as a Purple Belt. And then later in 2021 as a Brown Belt.

Tammi earned second place as a Brown Belt in the 2021 IBJJF No-Gi Pan Championship.

In December 2021, Thamires Monteiro was promoted to Black Belt by Lucas Leite.

After becoming a Black Belt, Thamires competed at the Fight 2 Win SUBVERSIV tournament and secured the first position.

Thamires Monteiro faced Marcia Figueiredo at the finals of the 2023 IBJJF Memphis Open. The fight and Tammy had strong grips over Marcia. Tammi scored 3 points via guard pass. Tammy scored more points via back control. Marcia tried to resist Tammy’s techniques but Tammy stopped her using her own bodyweight. Thamires Monterio then won the fight via points against Marcia Figueiredo.

At the 2023 IBJJF Los Angeles No-Gi Open 2023, Thamires Monteiro faced Isa Bruno. The fight started and Tammy scored 3 points from the guard pass in the very start of the fight. Her pressure passing technique is the one that grants her dominant positions. Isa Bruno had strong leglocks on Tammy but Tammy escaped it and applied her submission. She went for the Armlock and submitted Isa Bruno via Verbal Tap.

Thamires Monteiro v Isa Bruno / Los Angeles Open No-Gi 2023

Photo Credit: @monteirotami