João Gabriel de Oliveira e Silva Rocha
Brazilian black belt João Gabriel Rocha competed for Soul Fighters and won Pan ultra-heavyweight titles in 2017 and 2018.
Biography
Sources for this profile
International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 2009" results.(opens in a new tab)
At the 2009 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship, João Gabriel Rocha of Soul Fighters placed second in the Adult Purple Male Medium Heavy division.
Where in the source: Full rendered result block "Adult / Purple / Male / Medium Heavy": 1 dan schon; 2 joao gabriel rocha Soul Fighters; 3 ricardo mesquita; 3 jim harbison. Neighbour check: the following "Adult / Purple / Male / Heavy" block begins with Marcus Almeida, Yuri Simoes, Bryce Karasawa and John Jordan.
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 2011" results.(opens in a new tab)
At the 2011 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship, João Gabriel Rocha of Soul Fighters won the Adult Brown Male Heavy division.
Where in the source: Full rendered result block "Adult / Brown / Male / Heavy": 1 Joao Gabriel Rocha Soul Fighters; 2 Johannes Wieth; 3 Brendan Raedy; 3 Jurandir vieira. Neighbour check: the following "Adult / Brown / Male / Super Heavy" block begins with Yuri Simoes, Mikael Marffy, Alan Salgado and Aaron Johnson.
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Graciemag editorial desk, "Brown belt João Gabriel forges ahead on his way to the top", 13 June 2011.(opens in a new tab)
A 2011 Graciemag report calls Rafael "Formiga" Barbosa João Gabriel Rocha's mentor and master, and says Barbosa coached Rocha at that year's Worlds.
Where in the source: Closing paragraph: "Rocha’s idol and mentor is his master, Rafael ‘Formiga’ Barbosa who was at the Worlds coaching Rocha on to victory."
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R7 Esportes/Tatame, "Em comunicado, Rafael Formiga, Leandro Tatu e João Gabriel Rocha anunciam saída da Soul Fighters e criação de nova equipe", 1 December 2019.(opens in a new tab)
In December 2019, João Gabriel Rocha, Rafael "Formiga" Barbosa and Leandro "Tatu" Escobar announced their departure from Soul Fighters and creation of Double Five JJ.
Where in the source: Article opening: "Leandro ‘Tatu’ Escobar, Rafael ‘Formiga’ Barbosa e João Gabriel Rocha ... anunciaram suas saídas da Soul Fighters e a criação de uma nova equipe, a Double Five JJ."
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "Steffen Banta Makes Black Belt Debut In Super-Heavy Division In Paris", January 2023.(opens in a new tab)
IBJJF reported that Steffen Banta was promoted to black belt by his long-time coach and mentor João Gabriel Rocha on 17 December 2022.
Where in the source: Paragraph after Banta's 2022 quote: "Steffen was promoted to black belt on December 17, 2022 by long time coach and mentor Joao Gabriel Rocha."
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In the same IBJJF article, Banta says Pedro Rocha was João Gabriel Rocha's only other black belt at that point.
Where in the source: Banta quotation: "Joao’s only other blackbelt is his brother, Pedro Rocha."
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IBJJF reported in 2023 that João Gabriel Rocha had been leading the Alliance Jiu Jitsu team in Dallas, Texas.
Where in the source: Same paragraph as the promotion: "Rocha, a 2X Pan and Brazilian National Champion, has been leading the Alliance Jiu Jitsu team in Dallas, Texas..."
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The Grappling Institute, "About Us - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training in Dallas", accessed 9 October 2026.(opens in a new tab)
The Grappling Institute identifies Steffen Banta as a black belt under coach João Gabriel Rocha.
Where in the source: Steffen Banta profile: "Steffen Banta is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under coach João Gabriel Rocha, Co-Founder of The Grappling Institute".
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 2008" results.(opens in a new tab)
João Gabriel Rocha of Soul Fighters won the Juvenile Blue Male Heavy division at the 2008 IBJJF Worlds.
Where in the source: Juvenile / Blue / Male / Heavy: 1 Joao Gabriel Rocha, Soul Fighters; 2 Marvin Ramirez; 3 Jake Encinas; 3 Haris Usanovic. The next division is Super Heavy.
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João Gabriel Rocha of Soul Fighters placed second in the juvenile male blue-belt open class at the 2008 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship.
Where in the source: Juvenile / Blue / Male / Open Class: 1 Murilo Alves; 2 Joao Gabriel Rocha, Soul Fighters; 3 Garry Tonon; 3 Nakamura Jean Shoiti. Next division: Juvenile / Blue / Female / Light.
Accessed:
International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Danny O'Donnell, "2X Pan No-Gi Champion Pedro Rocha Will Bring Submission Game to Absolute GP", 1 February 2024.(opens in a new tab)
IBJJF reported that João Gabriel Rocha awarded his brother Pedro Rocha his black belt in 2019.
Where in the source: Opening paragraph: "his black belt promotion in 2019, a rank that was awarded to him by his highly accomplished brother, Joao Gabriel Rocha."
Accessed:
International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "Pedro Rocha On The 2022 World No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championships", December 2022.(opens in a new tab)
In an IBJJF interview, Pedro Rocha credited his older brother João Gabriel Rocha with helping and motivating him in training.
Where in the source: Paragraph beginning "Pedro’s older brother, Joao Gabriel Rocha"; Pedro says: "My brother always inspires me" and "He always helped me in training".
Accessed:
International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Danny O'Donnell, "Pan Champion Joao Gabriel Rocha Is Coming For The Ultra Heavyweight Crown", 12 October 2023.(opens in a new tab)
IBJJF states that João Gabriel Rocha has held a black belt since 2013.
Where in the source: Article body after Crown preview: "Joao has been a black belt since 2013".
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "2023 Austin Winter International Open Results: Joao Gabriel Rocha Dominates in Return To Competition", January 2023.(opens in a new tab)
IBJJF reported that Rocha won four gi matches for the open-class title at the 2023 Austin Winter Open; he said it was his first IBJJF competition in three years.
Where in the source: Article body: "Joao Gabriel Rocha of Alliance" and "In the gi he won four matches to take open class gold"; his quotation begins "I’m very happy to be back after three years".
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, Danny O'Donnell, "2023 Pan No-Gi Results: Joao & Pedro Rocha Steal The Show In The Open Class", 3 October 2023.(opens in a new tab)
At the 2023 Pan No-Gi open class, João Gabriel Rocha and his brother Pedro Rocha reached the final, with Pedro taking gold.
Where in the source: Section "Joao Gabriel Rocha & Pedro Rocha Make The Absolute Final"; after both routes through the bracket, "Pedro ultimately took home the gold".
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BJJ Fanatics Brasil, "João Gabriel, O Campeão Do BJJ STARS E Da Vida", accessed 9 October 2026.(opens in a new tab)
BJJ Fanatics Brasil gives the athlete's full name as João Gabriel de Oliveira e Silva Rocha.
Where in the source: Paragraph beginning "João Gabriel de Oliveira e Silva Rocha nasceu em nasceu".
Accessed:
BJJ Fanatics Brasil, "Saiba Tudo Sobre O Gigante Dos Tatames João Gabriel Rocha", interview concerning his 2019 goals; accessed 9 October 2026.(opens in a new tab)
In a BJJ Fanatics Brasil interview, Rocha recalled starting jiu-jitsu in a summer camp at Tijuca Tênis Clube when he was about three.
Where in the source: Answer to "Quando Começou no Jiu Jitsu": "eu comecei muito cedo, com 3 anos de idade. Comecei em uma colonia de férias no Tijuca Tenis Clube".
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SporTV.com, "Irmãos Rocha representam família com títulos no jiu-jítsu e luta olímpica", 18 June 2013.(opens in a new tab)
SporTV identified João Gabriel Rocha as Brazilian in its 2013 report on him and his brother Pedro.
Where in the source: The article names the brothers as João Gabriel Rocha and Pedro Rocha, then says of João Gabriel: "João Gabriel é o único brasileiro campeão nacional de jiu-jítsu em todas as faixas".
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2017" results.(opens in a new tab)
João Gabriel Rocha won the adult male black-belt ultra-heavyweight division at the 2017 Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship and placed second in the open class.
Where in the source: Male / Adult / Black / Ultra Heavy: 1 João Gabriel de Oliveira e S. Rocha, Soul Fighters BJJ; 2 Gustavo Dias Elias. Next Male / Adult / Black / Open Class: 1 Leandro Lo; 2 João Gabriel de Oliveira e S. Rocha.
Accessed:
International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2018" results.(opens in a new tab)
João Gabriel Rocha won the adult male black-belt ultra-heavyweight division at the 2018 Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Where in the source: Male / Adult / Black / Ultra Heavy: 1 João Gabriel de Oliveira e S. Rocha, Soul Fighters BJJ; 2 Ricardo Ferreira Evangelista; 3 Gustavo Dias Elias; 3 Joseph Moku Kahawai Jr. Next division: Male / Adult / Black / Open Class.
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu 2013" results.(opens in a new tab)
João Gabriel Rocha won the adult male black-belt super-heavyweight division at the 2013 Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu.
Where in the source: Male / Adult / Black / Super Heavy (97.50kg): 1 João Gabriel de Oliveira e S. Rocha, Soul Fighters BJJ; 2 Leonardo Pires Nogueira. Next division: Male / Adult / Black / Ultra Heavy.
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu 2015" results.(opens in a new tab)
João Gabriel Rocha won the adult male black-belt ultra-heavyweight division at the 2015 Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu.
Where in the source: Male / Adult / Black / Ultra Heavy: 1 João Gabriel de Oliveira e S. Rocha, Soul Fighters BJJ; 2 Kauê Vitorino Damasceno; 3 Diogo Almeida Silva; 3 Kitner Mendonça de Moura. Next division: Male / Adult / Black / Open Class.
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "American National IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2020" results.(opens in a new tab)
João Gabriel Rocha won both the adult male black-belt ultra-heavyweight and open-class divisions at the 2020 American National IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
Where in the source: Male / Adult / Black / Ultra Heavy: 1 João Gabriel de Oliveira e S. Rocha, Alliance Dallas; 2 Guilherme Cordiviola. Next Male / Adult / Black / Open Class: 1 João Gabriel de Oliveira e S. Rocha; 2 Gabriel Salles Muniz Almeida.
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, "World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2017" results.(opens in a new tab)
João Gabriel Rocha placed second in both the adult male black-belt ultra-heavyweight and open-class divisions at the 2017 World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship.
Where in the source: Male / Adult / Black / Ultra Heavy: 1 Roberto de Abreu Filho; 2 João Gabriel de Oliveira e S. Rocha, Soul Fighter BJJ Connecticut. Next Male / Adult / Black / Open Class: 1 Lucas Daniel Silva Barbosa; 2 João Gabriel de Oliveira e S. Rocha.
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