Admilson Gobi

Admilson "Gobizilla" Gobi Junior was born on June 3, 1994, in Mantena, Minas Gerais, Brazil. His family later relocated to São Mateus, Espírito Santo — the city that would serve as the backdrop for his entry into martial arts. At age 13, Gobi Junior first gravitated toward taekwondo, a sport that ignited his passion for combat disciplines and laid the psychological groundwork for what was to come.

His path shifted decisively in February 2009, when he began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu under coach Felipe Salgado. The transition proved transformative. Gobi Junior absorbed the art with remarkable speed, and his competitive instincts surfaced almost immediately. Competing at blue belt in 2011, he captured both the IBJJF European Open Juvenile title and the IBJJF South American Juvenile Championship — results that announced him as one of the most promising young athletes in his weight category.

Gobi Junior's ascent through the belt ranks was shaped by the guidance of João Eugênio and Ronaldo Lorentz, the masters credited with his formation as a black belt. Their instruction built the technical and competitive foundation that would fuel one of the more decorated colored belt careers of his generation.

Purple Belt: World-Class Performances

At purple belt, Gobi Junior announced his arrival on the global stage with a pair of defining results. In 2014, he claimed the IBJJF World Championship title in his division, placing him among the elite competitors at his rank worldwide. That same year, he reinforced his standing with a victory at the UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro at purple belt — demonstrating that his performance held up far beyond domestic competition.

Brown Belt and Black Belt Promotion

The momentum carried into the brown belt phase of his career. In 2016, Gobi Junior won the IBJJF European Open at brown belt, adding another international title to an already substantial résumé. His decorated journey through each rank culminated on June 21, 2016, when he received his black belt — a formal recognition of years of disciplined, high-level development.

In 2014, at the height of his purple belt career, Gobi Junior made a significant move by joining Lloyd Irvin's training camp in Maryland, USA. The environment placed him alongside elite-level training partners and pushed his game into a new competitive dimension.

Despite the opportunities available in the United States, Gobi Junior made the deliberate decision to return to Brazil to complete his academic studies — a choice that speaks to a broader vision of his career. After finishing his degrees, he continued to represent Team Lloyd Irvin on the international stage, maintaining the affiliation while competing out of Brazil.

The nickname "Gobizilla" captures the imposing physical presence he brings to the Pesadíssimo division — a name that opponents and fans alike associate with a heavy, relentless approach to competition.

Gobi Junior competes in the Pesadíssimo (super-heavyweight) division, reserved for athletes over 100.50 kg / 222.0 lbs. His signature technique, the Kimura, defines his submission-hunting approach — a high-percentage shoulder lock he has refined into a reliable finishing tool across multiple rulesets and competition formats.

2017: Domestic Dominance and Pan Championship Podium

Gobi Junior's black belt career produced consistent results across both regional and premier-level events. In 2017, he swept through the IBJJF Open circuit, claiming gold at the IBJJF Manaus Open, the IBJJF Vitória Open, and the IBJJF Curitiba Winter Open — a run that demonstrated his physical dominance in the super-heavyweight category and his ability to sustain elite-level output across a full competitive season. That year also brought a 3rd-place finish at the IBJJF Pan Championship, where he tested himself against a deep field of black belt super-heavyweights.

2018: World Championship Podium and Continued Output

In 2018, Gobi Junior delivered further proof of his standing at the sport's highest level. He secured a 3rd-place finish at the IBJJF World Championship — one of the most competitive events on the international calendar — while also capturing gold at the IBJJF Salvador Spring Open, rounding out a period of sustained competitive output at black belt.

Gobi Junior's identity as an athlete extends well beyond the competition mat. He earned a degree in nutrition — a discipline that directly informs his approach to performance, body composition, and recovery as a super-heavyweight competitor. He also completed a degree in physical education, equipping him with a comprehensive theoretical foundation in human movement, training methodology, and athletic development.

Both programs were completed in Brazil, and his decision to return from the United States specifically to finish his studies reflects a long-term perspective rarely seen among elite competitors. The combination of nutrition and physical education credentials positions Gobi Junior not only as a high-level athlete but as a knowledgeable practitioner ready to contribute to the next generation — whether through coaching, strength and conditioning, or sports science applied directly to jiu-jitsu.