Skip to content
The BJJ Story
Search
Back to people
Two training partners meeting on the mat.Drawn in cream, forest green, and muted terracotta. People and objects are symbolic illustrations.
Portrait unavailable. General BJJ illustration; not a likeness of this person.Illustration: The BJJ Story

Sabrina Rogéria Ataide Beserra Gondim

“Sasa”

Source: bjjheroes.com

Former judoka from João Pessoa who won the 2026 IBJJF world title at featherweight, the same year she debuted in a UFC BJJ title match.

Biography

Sabrina Gondim, often called Sasa, is a jiu-jitsu black belt from João Pessoa in the Brazilian state of Paraíba. After a run of silver and bronze medals at the Brazilian Nationals, the European Championship and the Pan Championship, she won the women's black belt featherweight title at the 2026 IBJJF World Championship. According to her BJJ Heroes profile, which is the source for her early years, judo came first. She trained and competed in it for about a decade but never took the exam for a judo black belt, because of what it cost. As a teenager she took up jiu-jitsu with coach Marcello Victor of Cascão JJ, and for two years she kept up both sports. With her instructor's encouragement she entered her first jiu-jitsu tournament, the Brazilian Nationals, on a trip her gym paid for. She did not win, but she enjoyed the experience, and afterwards she gave up judo to concentrate on jiu-jitsu. She stayed with Marcello Victor until purple belt and then moved to CheckMat's headquarters in Paraíba, where Endres Barbosa and Tarcísio Jardim coached her. Her profile lists South American Championship titles at purple belt in 2019 and 2020, along with silver medals at the 2018 South American Championship and the 2019 Brazilian Nationals. In August 2019, aged 20 and representing CheckMat, she won the women's purple belt grand prix at the Coliseu Jiu-Jitsu invitational in Fortaleza, which BJJ Heroes described as a new event in Brazil's Northeast. She came through a round-robin stage and then beat Vanessa Ribeiro in the semifinal and Ana Oliveira in the final. IBJJF's results show her at brown belt in 2022, winning the lightweight division of the Brazilian Nationals and taking bronze at the World Championship. Barbosa and Jardim promoted her to black belt on 2 September 2022, when she was 23. BJJ Heroes traces her lineage from Barbosa back through Jardim, Leonardo Vieira and Romero Cavalcanti to Rolls, Helio and Carlos Gracie. Weeks after the promotion she won the lightweight black belt division at the 2022 South American Championship and took silver in the open-weight division behind Gabrieli Pessanha. In May 2023, at her first Brazilian Nationals as a black belt, she reached the lightweight final and finished second to Luiza Monteiro Moura da Costa of Atos. BJJ Heroes writes that the run brought her to the notice of Daniel Affini and Damaris de Luca, who lead Fratres, a professional competition team based in São Paulo, and that in July 2023 they recruited her into the team's top black belt competition group. At the 2023 South American Championship, now entered for Fratres, she won the lightweight title for the second year running. She took bronze at the 2024 European Championship. At the Pan Championship in Kissimmee, Florida, that March, she beat Maynne Correa and Janine Mutton to reach the lightweight final, which Janaina Lebre won on a referee decision. BJJ Heroes' report on that event called Gondim a regular medalist at big events and set her more tactical approach against Lebre's aggressive game. It was not their only meeting: according to BJJ Heroes' fight record, Lebre had also beaten her on a referee decision in the quarterfinal of the 2023 World Championship. In April 2024 she won a superfight against Larissa Martins on advantages at BJJ Stars 12, a professional gi event in Brazil. By October 2025 she was representing Fight Sports. That month IBJJF announced her for the lightweight division of The Crown at the Long Beach Pyramid, describing her as a Pan and Brasileiro silver medalist with a dynamic guard and a relentless pace. At The Crown she met Lebre once more and lost, this time to an arm-in ezekiel choke, according to BJJ Heroes' record. At the 2026 Pan Championship she took bronze at lightweight, in a division won by Sarah Galvão. Then, on 21 May, she made her UFC BJJ debut at UFC BJJ 8 in Las Vegas, and it came in a title match: an all-Brazilian bout for the women's bantamweight belt held by Cássia Moura. Jornal da Paraíba reported that day that Gondim, then living in Miami, had concentrated on training in the gi in the preceding months, and that Gilbert Burns was among her training partners for the match. In an interview with Combate relayed by the paper, she said the invitation had come at the last minute and that debuting in a title match was a big challenge, but that she felt prepared even while adjusting to the no-gi format, which is fought without the jacket. According to UFC's recap, she threw the champion to the mat early and briefly held top position, but Moura took her back, and Gondim survived the first round. In the second, Moura took her back again and finished a rear-naked choke at 1:43. For the 2026 World Championship she went down a division, to featherweight (129 lb). IBJJF's results, finalized on 31 May 2026, list her as champion of the women's adult black belt featherweight division, entered for Fight Sports, with Gabrielle McComb second. BJJ Heroes' fight record gives her path: Ana Pantoja on advantages, Mia Funegra 3-0, Giovanah Oliveira on a referee decision in the semifinal and McComb 3-0 in the final. In its report on the championship, BJJ Heroes noted that she came in as the eighth seed and attributed the gold to her defense, her strategy and a base that was hard to sweep. It wrote that she passed the guards of both Funegra, the top seed, and McComb, whom it called a former world champion. Guard passing, getting past an opponent's legs, is the position her BJJ Heroes profile names as her favorite. She has also won without the gi: at the 2026 Pan No-Gi Championship she took the women's black belt featherweight title, ahead of Cindy A Ung.

Sources for this profile

  • BJJ Heroes, "Sabrina Gondim" (fighter profile, undated).(opens in a new tab)

    • BJJ Heroes gives her full name as Sabrina Rogéria Ataide Beserra Gondim and says she is often called Sasa, a short form of Sabrina.

      Where in the source: Fact list at the top of the profile, full-name and nickname rows

      Accessed:

    • She was born in João Pessoa, capital of Paraíba state in Brazil, on 8 April 1999.

      Where in the source: Biography section, opening sentence — "born on April 08, 1999"

      Accessed:

    • She trained and competed in judo for about ten years but never tested for a judo black belt because of what the exam cost.

      Where in the source: Biography section, third paragraph — "cost of the exam"

      Accessed:

    • Around the age of 15 she added jiu-jitsu under coach Marcello Victor of Cascão JJ, and for two years trained judo and jiu-jitsu side by side.

      Where in the source: Biography section, third paragraph — "Marcello Victor (Cascão JJ)"

      Accessed:

    • At 17, encouraged by her instructor, she entered her first jiu-jitsu tournament, the Brazilian Nationals, travelling on a trip her gym paid for; she did not win, but she enjoyed it and afterwards left judo to concentrate on jiu-jitsu.

      Where in the source: Biography section, fourth paragraph — "fully subsidized"

      Accessed:

    • She stayed with Marcello Victor until purple belt, then began training at CheckMat's Paraíba headquarters under Endres Barbosa and Tarcísio Jardim.

      Where in the source: Biography section, fifth paragraph (move to CheckMat in Paraíba)

      Accessed:

    • Endres Barbosa and Tarcísio Jardim promoted her to black belt on 2 September 2022.

      Where in the source: Biography section, fifth paragraph — "September 2, 2022"

      Accessed:

    • BJJ Heroes traces her lineage as Carlos Gracie, Helio Gracie, Rolls Gracie, Romero Cavalcanti, Leonardo Vieira, Tarcísio Jardim, Endres Barbosa, Sabrina Gondim.

      Where in the source: Fact list at the top of the profile, lineage row

      Accessed:

    • As a purple belt she won the IBJJF South American Championship in 2019 and 2020 and took silver there in 2018 and at the 2019 Brazilian Nationals; as a brown belt she won the 2022 Brazilian Nationals and took bronze at the 2022 World Championship.

      Where in the source: Fact list, colored-belt achievements list

      Accessed:

    • In May 2023, at her first Brazilian Nationals as a black belt, she reached the final.

      Where in the source: Biography section, sixth paragraph (first black belt Brasileiro, May 2023)

      Accessed:

    • That run caught the attention of Daniel Affini and Damaris de Luca, who lead Fratres, a professional competition team based in São Paulo; in July 2023 they contacted her and brought her into its top black belt competition group.

      Where in the source: Biography section, sixth paragraph — "competition workgroup"

      Accessed:

    • BJJ Heroes names guard passing as her favourite position and lists her usual division as lightweight (64 kg).

      Where in the source: Fact list, favourite-position and weight-division rows

      Accessed:

    • Her BJJ Heroes fight record shows three losses to Janaina Lebre: in the 2023 World Championship quarterfinal and the 2024 Pan final, both on referee decision, and at The Crown in 2025 by an arm-in ezekiel choke.

      Where in the source: Fight history table below the biography, rows with opponent Janaina Lebre

      Accessed:

    • At the 2026 World Championship, entered at 58 kg, BJJ Heroes records four wins: over Ana Pantoja on advantages, Mia Funegra 3-0, Giovanah Oliveira on referee decision in the semifinal, and Gabrielle McComb 3-0 in the final.

      Where in the source: Fight history table below the biography, four rows for the 2026 World Championship at 58 kg

      Accessed:

  • BJJ Heroes, "IBJJF World Championship 2026 Results" (news report, June 2026).(opens in a new tab)

    • In its report on the 2026 World Championship, BJJ Heroes wrote that Gondim, seeded eighth and fighting a weight class lower than in her earlier tries for a world title, won gold with defence, strategy and a base that was hard to sweep, beating top seed Mia Funegra and former world champion Gabi McComb in the final and passing both of their guards.

      Where in the source: Report body, paragraph on the female divisions — "#8 seed Sabrina Gondim"

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, "World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026" results (final result May 31, 2026).(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF's official results for the 2026 World Championship list Sabrina Rogéria Ataide B. Gondim of Fight Sports as champion of the female adult black belt featherweight division (129 lb), ahead of Gabrielle Mc Comb Lima, with Giovanah Oliveira da Silva and Margot Ciccarelli third.

      Where in the source: Results, World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026, division 'FEMALE / ADULT / BLACK / FEATHER (129.00LB)', place 1

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, "Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024" results (results page stamped 'Final result Aug/14/2024').(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF's official results for the 2024 Pan Championship list her, for Fratres Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in second place in the female adult black belt lightweight division (141.6 lb), behind Janaina Maia de Menezes of AOJ, the finalist BJJ Heroes' report on the same final calls Janaina Lebre.

      Where in the source: Results, Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024, division 'FEMALE / ADULT / BLACK / LIGHT (141.60LB)', place 2

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, "European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024" results (final result Jan 27, 2024).(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF's official results for the 2024 European Championship list her, for Fratres Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, among the two third-place finishers in the female adult black belt lightweight division (64 kg).

      Where in the source: Results, European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2024, division 'FEMALE / ADULT / BLACK / LIGHT (64.00KG)', place 3

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, "Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu (Juvenil, Adulto e Master) 2023" results (final result May 7, 2023).(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF's official results for the 2023 Brazilian Nationals list her, for CheckMat, in second place in the female adult black belt lightweight division (64 kg), behind Luiza Monteiro Moura da Costa of Atos Jiu-Jitsu.

      Where in the source: Results, Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu 2023, division 'FEMALE / ADULT / BLACK / LIGHT (64.00KG)', place 2

      Accessed:

  • Danny O'Donnell, "Pan & Brasileiro Silver Medalist Sabrina Gondim Will Take On The Crown's Lightweight Division", IBJJF News, 10 October 2025.(opens in a new tab)

    • Previewing The Crown in October 2025, IBJJF described her as a Pan and Brasileiro silver medalist known for a dynamic guard and a relentless pace, representing Fight Sports, and set to compete in the lightweight division at the Long Beach Pyramid on 23 November.

      Where in the source: Article body, single paragraph — "dynamic guard and relentless pace"

      Accessed:

  • João Pedro Gomes, "Conheça Sabrina Gondim, paraibana que vai disputar cinturão no UFC BJJ 8", Jornal da Paraíba, 21 May 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • Jornal da Paraíba reported in May 2026 that the João Pessoa native, then living in Miami, would make her UFC BJJ debut on 21 May at UFC BJJ 8 in Las Vegas in a title match against bantamweight champion Cássia Moura.

      Where in the source: Headline, standfirst and first two paragraphs — "Atualmente morando em Miami"

      Accessed:

    • The paper reported that she had prioritised gi training in the preceding months, and that in an interview with Combate she said the invitation came at the last minute, that debuting in a title match was a big challenge, and that she felt prepared despite adapting to the no-gi format; Gilbert Burns was among her training partners for the match.

      Where in the source: Paragraphs two to five — "recebeu o convite para lutar de última hora"

      Accessed:

  • Trayce Melo, "UFC BJJ 8 nesta quinta em Las Vegas: conheça os brasileiros no card", Diário do Pará, 21 May 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • Diário do Pará listed her among the four Brazilians on the UFC BJJ 8 card at the UFC Apex, calling her a compatriot of champion Cássia Moura in an all-Brazilian women's bantamweight title fight.

      Where in the source: Second paragraph — "a compatriota Sabrina Gondim"

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, "Campeonato Sul-Americano de Jiu-Jitsu 2022" results (final result Oct 16, 2022).(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF's official results for the 2022 South American Championship (Campeonato Sul-Americano) list her, for CheckMat, as champion of the female adult black belt lightweight division (64 kg) and runner-up in the female adult black belt open class, behind Gabrieli Pessanha.

      Where in the source: Results, Campeonato Sul-Americano de Jiu-Jitsu 2022, divisions 'FEMALE / ADULT / BLACK / LIGHT (64.00KG)' place 1 and 'FEMALE / ADULT / BLACK / OPEN CLASS' place 2

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, "Campeonato Sul-Americano de Jiu-Jitsu 2023" results (final result Sep 17, 2023).(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF's official results for the 2023 South American Championship list her, now for Fratres Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as champion of the female adult black belt lightweight division (64 kg), ahead of Stephanie Torres Jangelni.

      Where in the source: Results, Campeonato Sul-Americano de Jiu-Jitsu 2023, division 'FEMALE / ADULT / BLACK / LIGHT (64.00KG)', place 1

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, "Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026" results (final result Mar 29, 2026).(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF's official results for the 2026 Pan Championship list her, for Fight Sports, among the two third-place finishers in the female adult black belt lightweight division (141.6 lb), won by Sarah Galvão.

      Where in the source: Results, Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2026, division 'FEMALE / ADULT / BLACK / LIGHT (141.60LB)', place 3

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, "World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2022" results (results page stamped 'Final result Apr/07/2023').(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF's official results for the 2022 World Championship list her, for CheckMat, among the two third-place finishers in the female adult brown belt lightweight division (141.6 lb).

      Where in the source: Results, World IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2022, division 'FEMALE / ADULT / BROWN / LIGHT (141.60LB)', place 3

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, "Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu (Juvenil, Adulto e Master) 2022" results (final result May 14, 2022).(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF's official results for the 2022 Brazilian Nationals list her, for CheckMat, as champion of the female adult brown belt lightweight division (64 kg).

      Where in the source: Results, Campeonato Brasileiro de Jiu-Jitsu 2022, division 'FEMALE / ADULT / BROWN / LIGHT (64.00KG)', place 1

      Accessed:

  • UFC.com, "UFC BJJ 8: Musumeci vs Dantzler Results", 22 May 2026.(opens in a new tab)

    • UFC's official recap of UFC BJJ 8 at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas on 21 May 2026 reports that women's bantamweight champion Cássia Moura kept her title against Gondim with a rear-naked choke at 1:43 of the second round. Gondim had thrown the champion to the mat early and briefly held top position; Moura then took her back, Gondim survived the first round, and Moura finished the choke after taking her back again in round two.

      Where in the source: Results list, 'Women's Bantamweight Title Match' recap — "drawing gasps from the Meta APEX crowd"

      Accessed:

  • IBJJF, "Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2026" results (final result Oct 4, 2026).(opens in a new tab)

    • IBJJF's official results for the 2026 Pan No-Gi Championship list her, for Fight Sports, as champion of the female adult black belt featherweight division (125 lb), ahead of Cindy A Ung, with Beatriz Gutierrez Campos and Josefine Beatrice Modig third.

      Where in the source: Results, Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship 2026, division 'FEMALE / ADULT / BLACK / FEATHER (125.00LB)', place 1

      Accessed:

  • BJJ Heroes, "Pan American Results, Epic Performances By Mica And Nagai As AOJ Dominates Female Division", 24 March 2024.(opens in a new tab)

    • Reporting on the March 2024 Pan Championship in Kissimmee, Florida, BJJ Heroes wrote that Gondim, then with Fratres, beat Maynne Correa and Janine Mutton to reach the lightweight final, where Janaina Lebre won on referee decision; it described her as a regular medallist at major events with a more tactical approach than Lebre's aggressive game.

      Where in the source: Lightweight section of the report — "more tactical style of gamesmanship"

      Accessed:

  • BJJ Heroes, "Coliseu Jiu-Jitsu Grand Prix Results" (news report, August 2019).(opens in a new tab)

    • At the Coliseu Jiu-Jitsu invitational in Fortaleza on 24 August 2019, which BJJ Heroes described as a new event in Brazil's Northeast, Gondim, then a CheckMat purple belt, won the women's purple belt grand prix, coming through a round-robin stage and beating Vanessa Ribeiro in the semifinal and Ana Oliveira in the final.

      Where in the source: Report intro and 'Female Purple Belt GP' results list — "Checkmat's Sabrina Gondim"

      Accessed:

  • BJJ Heroes, "BJJ Stars 12 Results, Fellipe Andrew Dominates Grand Prix", 29 April 2024.(opens in a new tab)

    • At BJJ Stars 12 in April 2024, a professional gi event in Brazil, Gondim beat Larissa Martins on advantages after a 2-2 score in a superfight.

      Where in the source: 'Super-Fights' results list, first line

      Accessed:

Lineage

No teaching connections are shown on this page.

Open lineage