Victor Estima - 4th-Degree BJJ Black Belt

1. Victor Estima’s Details

2. Victor Estima’s Biography

Victor Estima is a 4th-degree BJJ Black Belt under Carlos Gracie Junior. His first instructor was Ze Radiola. Victor Estima is known as one of the greatest middleweight fighters in the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is famous for creating a new BJJ technique, “Estima Lock”.

2.1. Victor Estima’s Early Life

Victor Estima was born on 8th January 1985 in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

2.2. Victor Estima & Judo

Victor was not an athletic child. He himself had no interest in martial arts when he was a child. His brother, Braulio Estima used to train in Judo. Victor was 8 years old when he started training in martial arts only because of his brother. At that time, Braulio Estima was 13 years old.

2.3. Started Training BJJ

When Braulio left Judo, Victor followed his brother and did the same. Victor started training in BJJ along with his brother when he was 12 years old. It was only because of his brother because Victor had no interest in combat sports.

2.4. Lost Interest in BJJ

When Victor joined a BJJ academy, he trained under Charles de Anjos for a short period. It was because there was no 12-year-old who could train with Victor. All the students at the academy were adults so Victor had to train with them.

Due to having no partner to roll with, Victor lost interest in BJJ. He stopped training in BJJ but was never apart from the BJJ community. He used to support and praise his brother, Braulio Estima, in his competitions. He was always beside his brother. He used to go with Braulio and watch him compete.

This was the reason that Vicor could never isolate himself from BJJ.

2.5. Trained Under Ze Radiola

After taking a long break, Victor returned to BJJ. It was not a break for him as he never thought that he would return to BJJ. But being close to BJJ all those years kept his native fighting spirit alive and he came back stronger. He wanted to make his name in BJJ. And with that spirit, he returned to his old academy to train under Charles de Anjos.

Unfortunately, Charles de Anjos had left the academy and Ze Radiola was the head instructor there. Victor continued training under Radiola. Despite being off the mats for a long time, Victor was well aware of BJJ techniques. It did not take him long to amaze Radiola with his skills.

It was also the result of his impressive observation skills. As he had watched his brother compete, he knew a lot about grappling techniques.

2.6. Victor Estima’s Spectacular Performance in BJJ Competitions

Victor’s spectacular performance in the gym led him to BJJ competitions. He used to defeat adult BJJ fighters while still being a teenager. In an interview with Martialedge, Victor Estima claimed that he never ever lost a match in Pernambuco. The Estima brothers displayed outstanding grappling skills that many fighters of their age lacked. This is what made them exceptional fighters.

2.7. Agitation With Kron Gracie

In 2012, Victor Estima had a fight with Kron Gracie. After winning the match, Victor gestured a rocking baby to Kron. It resulted in bad blood between the two fighters. Later on, when there was a rematch between the two, Kron Gracie won and reciprocated the gesture.

But still, the rivalry continued. During Ultimate Fighting Championship 158, it was way too evident.

3. Victor Estima’s Pro BJJ Combats

3.1. Moved to the United Kingdom

Victor followed his brother, Braulio Estima, to England. His brother had moved to England when Victor was only a Purple Belt. Braulio always had a positive effect on Victor. Braulio was the one who introduced BJJ to Victor. So it was natural for Victor to look up to his brother whenever he needed guidance.

3.2. Promoted to Black Belt

Victor Estima was promoted to Black Belt by Carlos Gracie Junior in 2006. And it was Victor’s sheer hard work and determination that led him to this achievement. Along with Victor’s own efforts, it was his brother’s hand in all of this. As mentioned earlier, Braulio was the driving force behind Victor’s breathtaking fighting style.

3.3. Partnered with Gracie Barra Midlands

As Braulio had moved to England, Victor used to travel there a lot. Finally, he settled in the United Kingdom. Braulio Estima opened Gracie Barra Midlands and invited his brother, Victor Estima, to work as an instructor.

3.4. Victor Estima With Team Rough House

Victor Estima trained MMA fighters while staying in the UK. He worked with the famous team, “Team Rough House”.

3.5. Participation At ADCC Championship

Victor was not scheduled to compete at the ADCC Championship in 2011, but a last-minute decision took him to compete. He did not win the championship but won the hearts of the BJJ community.

3.6. World No-Gi Champion

Victor competed in the World No-Gi Championship just a month after ADCC. He not only came first but also earned a Gold medal.

3.7. IBJJF European Championship

In 2012, Victor competed in the IBJJF European Championship and won Gold in the adult middleweight division.

4. Estima Lock By Estima Brothers

Estima Lock is one of the strongest techniques in BJJ. It is also known as the deadliest move in BJJ. Estima lock is actually a foot lock that is extremely painful. Its grasp resembles a Rear Naked Choke. This technique was developed by Braulio and Victor Estima back in 2009. Victor had some problems with an inverted guard whenever his brother applied it in the sparring sessions. He tried to bring a change in foot lock with his brother and as a result, Estima Lock was developed.

“Before the Rio Open 2009, I didn't really believe in foot locks, it wasn’t until after the Rio Open when I was submitted by Ralph Abi Rihan with a foot lock that I began to use in my training sessions”.
(Victor Estima)

5. Victor Estima - Founder of Gracie Barra Nottingham

Victor Estima is the founder of Gracie Barra Nottingham. He is the head coach at Gracie Barra. He is also the head of Gracie Barra UK.

6. Victor Estima’s Historic Fights

6.1. Victor Estima Vs. Matthew Jubera

Matthew Jubera or Matt Jubera is a 3rd-degree BJJ Black Belt. He has an aggressive fighting style. At the start of the fight, Matt lunged at Victor with his fierce leg attacks. Victor, being a skillful fighter, quickly dominated the fight and submitted Matt via Triangle Choke in only 3 minutes and 5 seconds.

6.2. Victor Estima Vs. Mike Fowler

Mike Fowler is a BJJ Black Belt under Lloyd Irvin. He is famous for his half-guard technique. Victor tried to go for the Estima Lock but Mike was aware of his fighting techniques. So Mike nullified every possibility of the attempt. Despite Mike’s every attempt to dominate the match, he couldn’t do so. Victor submitted Mike via Triangle Choke in only 2 minutes and 25 seconds.

6.3. Victor Estima Vs. Clark Gracie

Clark Gracie is a BJJ Black Belt under Carley Gracie. He is the descendant of the Gracie family. He was hyperactive throughout the fight. On the other hand, Victor Estima was calm and focused. Victor Estima had tight grips on Clark which is why Clark was not successful in his submission attacks. Victor Estima submitted Clark Gracie via the Estima Lock in just 3 minutes and 18 seconds.

7. Victor Estima’s Championships

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2009	UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro	Black	2nd
2015	UAEJJF Abu Dhabi World Pro	Black	2nd
2008	IBJJF World Championship	Black	3rd
2009	IBJJF World Championship	Black	3rd
2013	IBJJF World Championship	Black	3rd
2014	IBJJF World Championship	Black	3rd

7.1. Record and Medals

4 Times State Champion

8. Victor Estima’s Main Achievements

8.1. Gi Tournaments

Year	Event	Weight Class	Position
2012	IBJJF European Open	Middle Heavyweight	1st
2008	IBJJF European Open	Absolute	3rd
2011	IBJJF European Open	Middle Heavyweight	3rd
2009	IBJJF World Championship	Middle Heavyweight	3rd
2013	IBJJF World Championship	Middle Heavyweight	3rd
2014	IBJJF World Championship	Middle Heavyweight	3rd

8.2. No-Gi Tournaments

Year	Event	Weight Class	Position
2011	IBJJF World Championship No-Gi	Middle Heavyweight	1st

9. Victor Estima’s Main Achievements (Belts)

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2003	IBJJF World Championship	Blue	2nd
2005	IBJJF World Championship	Purple	2nd

10. Victor Estima’s Professional Record Breakdown

79 Matches	49 Wins	28 Losses
By Submissions	33	7
By Points	9	16
By Advantages	3	3
By Decision	4	1
By DQ	0	1
Draws	2

10.1. Submission W/L Methods

Submission Method	33 Wins	7 Losses
Estima Lock	11	0
Triangle	3	0
Bow and Arrow	2	0
Botinha	1	0
Choke	1	2
Submission	1	0
Rear Naked Choke	1	0
Armbar	6	0
Inverted Triangle	3	0
Kneebar	1	0
Cross Choke	1	0
Ezekiel	1	0
Loop Choke	1	0
Choke from Back	0	3
Guillotine	0	1
Arm in Ezekiel	0	1

11. Victor Estima’s Fight History

12. Victor Estima’s Top Fight Links

Photo Credit: @victorestimagb