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Michelle Nicolini

Creator credit recorded on the linked source page: Asia Fight Guide; crop by Jgui · CC BY 3.0

Michelle Nicolini

Brazilian black belt Michelle Nicolini is credited with eight adult IBJJF World titles and competed in master divisions in 2026.

Biography

Michelle Zonato Nicolini is a Brazilian black belt awarded by Robert Drysdale who competed for Checkmat during her world-title run and later fought professionally in ONE Championship. Born in 1982 in Itú, São Paulo, she is a member of the IBJJF Hall of Fame. The later tournament results in this account come chiefly from IBJJF event records. Jiu-jitsu was not her first martial art. Nicolini began capoeira at 14 and spent about three years on it before taking up jiu-jitsu at 17. Drysdale awarded her belts through black; his lineage connects her to Leonardo Vieira and Romero Cavalcanti. At the 2010 World Championship, Nicolini moved four weight divisions above her usual class. She had planned to enter at her customary weight, but a Checkmat teammate proposed that they move up together and try to close out the final for the team. Nicolini agreed. In 2012, she faced Checkmat teammate Marina Ribeiro in another World Championship final. It was Nicolini's fifth title in a weight division and sixth overall, counting her 2007 open-class win. Their coaches had kept them from meeting in 2009. Nicolini said that “it would be better if we didn't fight,” but accepted that the 2012 match could not be avoided. She competed that year without a sponsor and through training injuries that worsened in the last two weeks before the event. Dieting and travel added to the strain. Her explanation for staying in the sport was simpler: “The secret is to enjoy what you do. That's when you'll want to get better and better.” Nicolini is credited with eight adult IBJJF gi World Championship titles. The count includes two titles at the 2007 event, when she won both her weight division and the open class, in which athletes from different weight divisions compete together. The federation's adult No-Gi World results separately record light-division gold in 2008, open-class gold in 2010, and both featherweight and open-class gold in 2011. ONE Championship credits her with three Pan American titles, and in 2013 she won the ADCC World Championship. Her game also included shin-to-shin guard work, triangle submissions and toe holds. Two weeks before that ADCC event, Rodrigo Cavaca left Checkmat. Nicolini said she continued her preparation with other black belts at Checkmat affiliate The House F.C. in Santos, where the staff changed the training plan to help her prepare. Her professional MMA debut came in 2011, and for years she competed in both sports. In ONE Championship, she beat Angela Lee by unanimous decision and lost a world title bout to Xiong Jing Nan by the same method. In a 2018 interview, Nicolini described Drysdale as her biggest influence on discipline and competition, while also naming Vieira and Romulo Barral among the coaches who helped her. She said she was training at Demian Maia's gym in São Paulo at the time. Her jiu-jitsu competition continued beyond that adult gi World title run. At the 2017 ADCC World Championships, she won the under-60 kg bronze match against Elvira Karppinen. She also won the adult light division and open class at the 2017 Pan No-Gi Championship, and repeated that adult double at the 2018 European No-Gi Championship. A 2019 European No-Gi result still places her on the adult light-division podium. Later results belong to master divisions and should be read separately from those adult titles. In 2022 she won the master 1 light division and open class at the European gi Championship, then the master 2 light division and open class at the World No-Gi Championship. At the Master International Europe that year, she took silver at light and won the open class. Outside the federation circuit, she defeated Ashley Bendle by split decision at Polaris 21 to win its inaugural women's 60 kg title. At the 2023 Master International Europe, Nicolini won both master 2 divisions with four submission victories across the two brackets. Her record then extends through a master 2 light-division World No-Gi title in 2024, a master 2 European No-Gi light-division title in 2025, and a master 2 featherweight silver at the 2026 European gi Championship. That 2026 result lists Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu as her team, a dated event affiliation distinct from the Checkmat listing earlier in her career.

Sources for this profile

  • BJJ Heroes, "Michelle Nicolini" fighter profile(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicolini's full name is Michelle Zonato Nicolini; her black belt lineage runs Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Leonardo Vieira > Robert Drysdale > Michelle Nicolini.

      Where in the source: Full Name: Michelle Zonato Nicolini ... Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Romero Cavalcanti > Leonardo Vieira > Robert Drysdale > Michelle Nicolini

      Accessed:

    • Conflicting accounts

      Nicolini was born in 1982 in Itú, São Paulo, Brazil. The exact day is disputed between sources: this page gives January 1, Wikipedia gives January 5.

      Where in the source: Michelle Nicolini was born on the 1st of January, 1982, in the city of Itú – State of Sao Paulo – Brazil.

      Accessed:

    • Nicolini's first martial art was capoeira, which she started at 14 and trained for about three years before switching her focus entirely to jiu-jitsu at 17, training under Robert Drysdale, who awarded her every belt including her black belt.

      Where in the source: Her chosen door of entry in the martial arts world was Capoeira, which she started at the age of 14. She stopped training Capoeira 3 years later and changed her focus to jiu-jitsu, training under Robert Drysdale, who awarded her all belts, including her black belt.

      Accessed:

    • In 2010, after joining Rodrigo Cavaca's Santos academy, Nicolini competed at the Mundial four weight divisions above her usual weight class, which bjjheroes states elsewhere on the same page was light-featherweight. She had planned to compete at her usual weight, but a Checkmat teammate proposed they move up together and close out the final as a team, and she agreed.

      Where in the source: showing up at the “Mundials” fighting 4 divisions above her usual weight category ... she was prepared to fight in her traditional light-featherweight division, but after a friendly challenge was proposed by one of her Checkmat colleagues – to fight in the same division and close up the final together for the team

      Accessed:

    • Nicolini is a member of the IBJJF Hall of Fame.

      Where in the source: TAGS : 2000S JIU JITSU, 2010S JIU JITSU, CHECKMAT BJJ, FEMALE JIU JITSU COMPETITORS, IBJJF HALL OF FAME, WORLD JIU JITSU CHAMPIONS

      Accessed:

  • GracieMag, "What Michelle Nicolini went through to win her fifth Worlds"(opens in a new tab)

    • In 2012, Nicolini won the IBJJF World featherweight final against Checkmat teammate Marina Ribeiro, after their coaches had kept them from competing against each other at a 2009 event. She said “it would be better if we didn't fight,” but accepted that the 2012 match could not be avoided. This was her fifth World title in a weight class and sixth World title overall when her 2007 open-class gold is counted separately.

      Where in the source: What Michelle Nicolini went through to win her fifth Worlds > “won the featherweight division at the 2012 Worlds” ... “notched her fifth title in the competition” ... “our teachers decided we shouldn’t fight each other” ... “it would be better if we didn't fight”

      Accessed:

    • Winning that fifth title took more than technique: Nicolini competed without sponsorship, through persistent training injuries that worsened in her final two weeks of preparation, and under the general stress of dieting, travel and training. She has attributed her longevity in the sport to enjoying it: 'The secret is to enjoy what you do. That's when you'll want to get better and better.'

      Where in the source: The secret is to enjoy what you do. That's when you'll want to get better and better.

      Accessed:

  • Wikipedia, "Michelle Nicolini" (medal-record infobox + article categories)(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicolini is Brazilian.

      Where in the source: Representing Brazil [Medal record section]; article categories include "Brazilian female mixed martial artists", "Brazilian practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu", "People from Itu, São Paulo"

      Accessed:

  • ONE Championship, official athlete profile(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicolini made her professional MMA debut in 2011, competing in both BJJ and MMA in parallel for several years.

      Where in the source: Although she made her professional cage debut in 2011, Nicolini juggled her new career with competing on the mats, and suffered as a result.

      Accessed:

    • With ONE Championship, Nicolini notably defeated Angela Lee by unanimous decision, and lost a world title bout to Xiong Jing Nan by unanimous decision and a separate fight to Tiffany Teo, also by unanimous decision.

      Where in the source: ONE Championship Records / EVENT RESULTS table: LOSS, MMA, Unanimous Decision R5 (5:00), Xiong Jing Nan, Empower, Sep 3 2021 / WIN, MMA, Unanimous Decision R3 (5:00), Angela Lee, Masters Of Destiny, Jul 12 2019 / LOSS, MMA, Unanimous Decision R3 (5:00), Tiffany Teo, Heart of The Lion, Nov 9 2018

      Accessed:

    • ONE Championship’s athlete profile credits Nicolini with eight IBJJF world titles, an ADCC no-gi title, a European championship double and three Pan-American championships as a black belt.

      Where in the source: About Michelle Nicolini > “including eight IBJJF world titles, an Abu Dhabi Combat Club no-gi grappling title, double gold at the BJJ European championships, and three Pan-American championships”

      Accessed:

  • Jiu Jitsu Legacy, "Interview With Michelle Nicolini: Follow The Concepts Of Martial Arts" (last updated 27.02.2020; interview itself conducted at BJJ Summer Week 2018, per her stated age of 36 matching a 1982 birth year)(opens in a new tab)

    • In an interview conducted at BJJ Summer Week 2018, Nicolini said she lived in Brazil and trained in São Paulo at Demian Maia’s gym. She described jiu-jitsu as a lifestyle, named Robert Drysdale as her biggest inspiration, and separately named Leonardo Vieira and Romulo Barral among coaches who helped her.

      Where in the source: Interview With Michelle Nicolini – Follow the Concepts of Martial Arts > “I live in Brazil where I moved back last November. I’m training in São Paulo at Demian Maia’s place.” ... “my biggest inspiration”

      Accessed:

    • Nicolini said she developed a useful shin-to-shin position as a purple belt when training with larger partners and used it regularly in competitions.

      Where in the source: Interview With Michelle Nicolini – Follow the Concepts of Martial Arts > “Shin-to-shin is something many people talk and ask me about” ... “I was a purple belt” ... “I use it all the time in competitions”

      Accessed:

  • FloGrappling, 2017 ADCC World Championships Results(opens in a new tab)

    • At the 2017 ADCC World Championships, Nicolini won the women’s under-60 kg bronze medal match against Elvira Karppinen, 3–0.

      Where in the source: 2017 ADCC World Championships Results > Bronze Medal Matches > 60KG: Michelle Nicolini (Brazil) SCORE Elvira Karppinen (Finland), 3-0 10:00

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2017, final results(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicolini won both the women’s adult black-belt light division and open class at the 2017 Pan No-Gi Championship; the federation lists her with CheckMat.

      Where in the source: Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2017 > FEMALE / ADULT / BLACK / LIGHT (136.00LB): 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini; ... OPEN CLASS: 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2018, final results(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicolini won both the women’s adult black-belt light division and open class at the 2018 European No-Gi Championship.

      Where in the source: European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2018 > FEMALE / ADULT / BLACK / LIGHT (61.50KG): 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini; ... OPEN CLASS: 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2022, final results(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicolini won the women’s master 1 black-belt light division and open class at the 2022 European gi Championship.

      Where in the source: European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2022 > FEMALE / MASTER 1 / BLACK / LIGHT (64.00KG): 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini; ... OPEN CLASS: 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, Master International Jiu-Jitsu Championship - Europe 2022, final results(opens in a new tab)

    • At the 2022 Master International Europe, Nicolini placed second in the women’s master 1 black-belt light division and first in the open class.

      Where in the source: Master International Jiu-Jitsu Championship - Europe 2022 > FEMALE / MASTER 1 / BLACK / LIGHT (64.00KG): 2 Michelle Zonato Nicolini; ... OPEN CLASS: 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, Danny O’Donnell, 9 May 2022(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF reported that Nicolini won the 2022 Master International Europe open class by defeating Despoina Papadopoulou in the semifinal and Amandine Layec in the final, while finishing second in her weight class.

      Where in the source: Master International Europe Results: Hall of Famer Michelle Nicolini Wins Open Class Gold > “She defeated Despoina Papadopoulou ... and then beat Amandine Layec ... in the final.”

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2022, final results(opens in a new tab)

    • At the 2022 World No-Gi Championship, Nicolini won the women’s master 2 black-belt light division and open class. These master-division titles are distinct from her adult black-belt world-title tally.

      Where in the source: World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2022 > FEMALE / MASTER 2 / BLACK / LIGHT (136.00LB): 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini; ... OPEN CLASS: 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini

      Accessed:

  • Jits Magazine, “Polaris 21 Full Results And Review,” 25 September 2022(opens in a new tab)

    • At Polaris 21 in 2022, Nicolini defeated Ashley Bendle by split decision to win the inaugural women’s 60 kg Polaris title.

      Where in the source: Polaris 21 Full Results > “Michelle Nicolini defeats Ashley Bendle via Decision – Split”; next line names the inaugural Bantamweight (60kg) Championship

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, Master International Jiu-Jitsu Championship - Europe 2023, final results(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicolini won both the women’s master 2 black-belt light division and open class at the 2023 Master International Europe.

      Where in the source: Master International Jiu-Jitsu Championship - Europe 2023 > FEMALE / MASTER 2 / BLACK / LIGHT (64.00KG): 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini; ... OPEN CLASS: 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, “2023 Master International Europe Results: Hall Of Famer Michelle Nicolini Wins Double Gold”(opens in a new tab)

    • The federation reported four submission wins for Nicolini at the 2023 Master International Europe, two in the lightweight division and two in the open class.

      Where in the source: 2023 Master International Europe Results: Hall Of Famer Michelle Nicolini Wins Double Gold > “Michelle had four fights, two in the lightweight division and two in the open class. She managed to finish all of her matches by submission”

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2023, final results(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicolini won the women’s master 1 black-belt light division and open class at the 2023 European No-Gi Championship.

      Where in the source: European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2023 > FEMALE / MASTER 1 / BLACK / LIGHT (61.50KG): 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini; ... OPEN CLASS: 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2024, final results(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicolini won the women’s master 2 black-belt light division at the 2024 World No-Gi Championship.

      Where in the source: World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2024 > FEMALE / MASTER 2 / BLACK / LIGHT (136.00LB): 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini; 2 Celeste Rushell Cronin; 3 Charize N Apostol; 3 Patricia Cecilia Olguin

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025, final results(opens in a new tab)

    • At the 2025 European gi Championship, Nicolini shared third place in the women’s master 3 black-belt light division.

      Where in the source: European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2025 > FEMALE / MASTER 3 / BLACK / LIGHT (64.00KG): 1 Katherine Ann Vogel; 2 Milla Katriina Bahia; 3 Michelle Zonato Nicolini; 3 Patricia Alvares Pacheco

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2025, final results(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicolini won the women’s master 2 black-belt light division at the 2025 European No-Gi Championship.

      Where in the source: European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2025 > FEMALE / MASTER 2 / BLACK / LIGHT (61.50KG): 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini; 2 Tine Scheldeman; 3 Vanessa Leite Baldacci

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026, final results(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicolini took silver in the women’s master 2 black-belt feather division at the 2026 European gi Championship; that result lists her with Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu.

      Where in the source: European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026 > FEMALE / MASTER 2 / BLACK / FEATHER (58.50KG): 1 Marta Giaimo; 2 Michelle Zonato Nicolini, Demian Maia Jiu-Jitsu; 3 Francisca Daiane Ribeiro da Silva; 3 Rebecca Mengyao Gu

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2019, final results(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicolini placed third in the women’s adult black-belt light division at the 2019 European No-Gi Championship.

      Where in the source: European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2019 > FEMALE / ADULT / BLACK / LIGHT (61.50KG): 1 Charlotte Valentina Von Baumgarten; 2 Kristin Amy Mikkelson; 3 Michelle Zonato Nicolini

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2006, official results(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF’s 2006 World Championship results list Michele Nicolini first in the adult women’s brown/black light-feather division.

      Where in the source: World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 2006 > Adult / Brown Black / Female / Light Feather > 1 Michele Nicolini, Brasa; 2 Juliana Gonçalves

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2007, official results(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF’s 2007 World Championship results list Michelle Nicolini first in both adult women’s brown/black light-feather and open-class divisions.

      Where in the source: World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 2007 > Adult / Brown Black / Female / Light Feather > 1 Michelle Nicolini; ... Open Class > 1 Michelle Nicolini

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2010, official results(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF’s 2010 World Championship results list Michelle Nicolini first in the adult women’s brown/black medium-heavy division.

      Where in the source: World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 2010 > Adult / Brown Black / Female / Medium Heavy > 1 Michelle Nicolini; 2 Penny Thomas; 3 Luiza Monteiro; 3 Fernanda Mazzelli

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2011, official results(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF’s 2011 World Championship results list Michelle Nicolini first in the adult women’s brown/black feather division.

      Where in the source: World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship 2011 > Adult / Brown Black / Female / Feather > 1 Michelle Nicolini; 2 Kyra Gracie; 3 Fabiana Borges; 3 Ana Carolina Lebre

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2012, official results(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF’s 2012 World Championship results list Michelle Zonato Nicolini first and Marina Soares de Araujo Ribeiro second in the adult women’s black-belt feather division.

      Where in the source: World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2012 > Female / Adult / Black / Feather (125.00lb) > 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini; 2 Marina Soares de Araujo Ribeiro

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, World No-Gi Championship 2008, official results(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF’s 2008 World No-Gi results list Michelle Nicolini first in the adult women’s brown/black light division.

      Where in the source: World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championship 2008 > Adult / Brown Black / Female / Light > 1 Michelle Nicolini, Brasa; 2 Gabriela Bermudes

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, World No-Gi Championship 2010, official results(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF’s 2010 World No-Gi results list Michelle Zonato Nicolini first in the adult women’s brown/black open class, and second at light.

      Where in the source: World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championship 2010 > Adult / Brown Black / Female / Light > 2 Michelle Zonato Nicolini; ... Open Class > 1 Michelle Zonato Nicolini

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, World No-Gi Championship 2011, official results(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF’s 2011 World No-Gi results list Michele Zonato Nicolini first in both the adult women’s brown/black feather and open-class divisions, yielding two golds at that edition.

      Where in the source: World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championship 2011 > Adult / Brown Black / Female / Feather > 1 Michele Zonato Nicolini; ... Open Class > 1 Michele Zonato Nicolini

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, Kaelan Crisosto, 16 January 2026(opens in a new tab)

    • In its dated 2026 European Masters preview, IBJJF identified Nicolini as an eight-time adult gi World champion and placed her in the master 2 feather division.

      Where in the source: Black Belt Masters Division Preview | 2026 European Championships > Michelle Nicolini > “eight adult World Championships” ... “Master 2 featherweight division”

      Accessed:

  • ONE Championship, Jay Furness, 1 September 2021(opens in a new tab)

    • A 2021 ONE Championship technical preview describes Nicolini’s guard submissions as including triangles, toe holds and armbars.

      Where in the source: Xiong Vs. Nicolini: 4 Keys To Victory In World Title Clash > “tapped out elite BJJ practitioners with triangles, toe holds, and armbars from her back”

      Accessed:

  • GracieMag, interview with Michelle Nicolini, 28 October 2013 (Portuguese original)(opens in a new tab)

    • Nicolini said Rodrigo Cavaca left Checkmat two weeks before the 2013 ADCC event; she continued training with other black belts at Checkmat affiliate The House F.C. in Santos, whose staff changed the training plan to help her prepare.

      Where in the source: Michelle Nicolini comenta o que mudou nos treinos de Jiu-Jitsu para conquistar o ADCC > “Só não esperávamos que ele fosse sair duas semanas antes do ADCC” ... “The House F. C. em Santos, uma filial da Checkmat”

      Accessed:

Competition results

Recorded tournament results, newest first
YearEventResultDivision
2017ADCC 2017Source: adcombat.com-60 kgNo-giVerified3rd place-60 kgNo-giVerified
2015ADCC 2015Source: adcombat.com-60 kgNo-giVerified2nd place-60 kgNo-giVerified
2014IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-58 kgGiVerified1st place-58 kgGiVerified
2013ADCC 2013Source: adcombat.com-60 kgNo-giVerified1st place-60 kgNo-giVerified
2013IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-74 kgGiVerified1st place-74 kgGiVerified
2012IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-53 kgGiVerified1st place-53 kgGiVerified
2011ADCC 2011Source: adcombat.com-60 kgNo-giVerified2nd place-60 kgNo-giVerified
2011IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-53 kgGiVerified1st place-53 kgGiVerified
2010IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-74 kgGiVerified1st place-74 kgGiVerified
2007IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.orgAbsoluteGiVerified1st placeAbsoluteGiVerified
2007IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-48 kgGiVerified1st place-48 kgGiVerified
2006IBJJF World ChampionshipSource: en.wikipedia.org-48 kgGiVerified1st place-48 kgGiVerified

Lineage

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