João Pedro Figueiredo

João Pedro Figueiredo, known as Jota, grew up in Jardim Catarina, in São Gonçalo, Brazil, and became one of the most successful juvenile blue belts in the sport. In 2026, he won the IBJJF Europeans, Pans and Worlds at middleweight in Juvenile 2, one year after his first world title.

Born on December 7, 2009, he started Jiu-Jitsu at 3 or 4 years old with his father, black belt Fabiano Figueiredo, his first coach. As a kid, he won titles at the Kids Europeans and in Abu Dhabi while representing social projects in his hometown. “I am very happy in jiu-jitsu, and I know the sport can change my life and my family’s life,” he told the newspaper O Gonçalense in 2021.

In 2025, he moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to train full-time with Márcio André at Marcio André Jiu-Jitsu. In his first season with the team, he became world champion at medium-heavyweight in Juvenile 1, in Long Beach.

In 2026, now in Juvenile 2, he won the Europeans in Lisbon and the Pans in Florida at middleweight, adding a bronze in the heavy open class at the Pans. At Worlds, he won his division and took silver in the open class. He was also double champion, weight and open class, at the gi American Nationals and at Jiu-Jitsu Con, in gi and no-gi.

His favorite submission is the armbar. His next tournament is in Orange County, California. João Pedro is on VF Comunica’s list of 10 Jiu-Jitsu talents who could blow up in 2027.