Alexandre Baraúna

Alexandre Baraúna was born on February 17, 1974, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu came at the age of eight — not from ambition, but from necessity. As a physically underdeveloped child, his family turned to martial arts as a means of building strength, confidence, and self-discipline. He took his first steps on the mat at Academia Monir under a coach named Milton, beginning what would become a lifelong commitment to the sport.

At age 14, Baraúna stepped away from training, taking a multi-year hiatus before returning with renewed purpose. His comeback placed him under the guidance of Rafael Caldeira and Júlio César Pereira — a pairing that proved formative and set the trajectory of his entire BJJ career.

Seeking a higher level of competitive preparation, Baraúna made the pivotal decision to train at the academy of Ricardo De La Riva, one of Rio de Janeiro's most celebrated and technically influential BJJ figures. The move elevated the intensity and quality of his development, exposing him to an environment that sharpened both his technical game and competitive mentality.

On February 22, 1999, Baraúna received his black belt under Ricardo De La Riva and Júlio César Pereira — a recognition that reflected the dual influences central to his formation. Shaped by two of Rio de Janeiro's most respected BJJ figures, his lineage gave him a well-rounded technical foundation and a competitive outlook that he carried forward into both his athletic and teaching careers.

Early Results and Heavyweight Credentials

Baraúna's competitive record reflects a fighter who performed at a high level across multiple decades and belt ranks. His earliest major result came in 1996, when he claimed gold at the IBJJF Pan American Championship at purple belt — a result that signaled his potential well before reaching the black belt ranks.

Competing at brown belt in 1998, he continued to grow on the international stage, earning a 3rd place finish at the IBJJF World Championship alongside a CBJJ Brasileiro 3rd place that same year. Both results came in the Pesadíssimo division (+100.50 kg / +222.0 lbs), establishing him as a credible heavyweight competitor heading into his black belt years.

Masters Circuit Longevity

Baraúna's longevity as a competitor stands as one of the defining characteristics of his athletic career. In 2005, he earned 2nd place at the CBJJ Brasileiro in the Master 1 division, continuing to test himself against high-level opposition well into his veteran years. He remained active on the masters circuit into the following decade, placing 3rd at the 2015 CBJJ Brasileiro Championship in the Master 3 division and 3rd at the 2016 IBJJF Master International Open in the same category. In 2018, he added a 2nd place finish at the IBJJF International Masters & Seniors in the Master 3 division — capping a competitive record spanning more than two decades.

Baraúna's relationship with Júlio César Pereira traces back to the early 1990s, when both were part of the Gama Filho/UGF team — a precursor organization active from approximately 1993 to 1996 that laid the groundwork for what would become one of Brazil's most prominent BJJ associations.

After receiving his black belt in 1999, Baraúna completed a brief coaching stint in the United States before returning to Brazil to continue working alongside Júlio César. Together, they developed and promoted the Gama Filho brand over the years that followed, a collaborative effort that gradually evolved into the Grappling Fight Team. GF Team was formally founded by Júlio César Pereira in 2007, and Baraúna served as a key early member and contributor to the team's growth and identity in Rio de Janeiro, alongside Marcos Bello.

When Júlio César relocated to the United States in 2017, Baraúna assumed the role of senior figure overseeing the team's operations in Rio de Janeiro. His decades of involvement, deep familiarity with the team's values, and long-standing personal relationship with the founder made him a natural and respected steward of the GF Team identity in Brazil.

Baraúna's contributions to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu extend well beyond the competition mat and the coaching floor. He serves as head coordinator of Brazilian affairs for the FBJJ (Federação de Jiu-Jitsu do Brasil), with a particular focus on refereeing — a role that places him at the center of the sport's governance and standardization efforts in Brazil.

His work in administration reflects a broader commitment to the long-term development of the sport, ensuring that technical and regulatory standards of competition are upheld at the national level. This institutional involvement complements his identity as a decorated competitor and long-time pillar of the GF Team structure, rounding out a career defined by service to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu across all its dimensions.