Ana Maria Gomes Soares

Ana Maria Gomes Soares, known throughout the fighting world by her nickname "India," was born in Barreiras, in the State of Bahia, Brazil. Her path to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu defied conventional competitive timelines — she stepped onto the mats for the first time at 21, arriving with no prior background in any martial art or combat sport. That late beginning, far from being a liability, became a defining pillar of her story.

Her first instructor was Alexandre Oliveira, based in Marilia, São Paulo. Oliveira's role extended well beyond teaching the mechanics of BJJ — he actively cultivated Ana Maria's belief that she could excel at the sport. His encouragement gave her the confidence to pursue grappling seriously at a stage when many competitors are already deep into their competitive careers.

Following her time in São Paulo, Ana Maria relocated to Salvador, where her development entered a more structured phase. Training under "Mestre Shark" of Brazilian Top Team (BTT), she earned both her Blue and Purple Belts — ranks that built the technical foundation she would carry to the highest levels of the sport.

Building the Foundation at BTT

Ana Maria's belt progression reflects a career forged across two of Brazil's most respected BJJ institutions. Mestre Shark awarded her Blue and Purple Belts within the Brazilian Top Team system, each rank earned through consistent training and competitive performance during her years in Salvador.

As her reputation within Brazilian Top Team grew, the next step was a move to the team's main academy in Rio de Janeiro. Six years under the BTT banner culminated in a landmark moment: Murilo Bustamante, one of Brazil's most decorated BJJ and MMA figures, awarded her the Brown Belt in recognition of her sustained accomplishments and dedication to the art.

The Checkmat Chapter and Black Belt Promotion

In late 2008, Ana Maria joined Fight Zone Gym in Rio de Janeiro — the headquarters of Checkmat — and began training under Ricardo Vieira. The move launched one of the most productive phases of her competitive life. Her Black Belt promotion arrived during the filming of the Brazilian TV documentary No Limite, a program dedicated to women's MMA in Brazil, when Master Ricardo Vieira awarded her the rank on camera — a moment that underscored both the public visibility of her journey and the genuine merit behind the promotion.

Her complete belt lineage traces from White through Blue and Purple under Mestre Shark at Brazilian Top Team, to Brown under Murilo Bustamante, and finally to Black under Ricardo Vieira at Checkmat.

Facing Elite Competition

Alongside her growth as a BJJ competitor, Ana Maria built a notable Mixed Martial Arts career, sharing the cage with some of the most recognized names in women's combat sports. Her opponents have included Carina Damm, Vanessa Porto, and Ediane Gomes — fighters who represent the upper tier of women's MMA competition, particularly within the Brazilian scene.

One of the most telling aspects of her MMA career is a willingness to compete regardless of physical disadvantages. In a landscape where quality matchmaking for women remains difficult, she has consistently accepted bouts against opponents carrying significant size advantages — at times giving away more than 10 kilograms to her rivals. This approach reflects both competitive hunger and a practical understanding that meaningful fights take priority over favorable conditions.

Multi-Disciplinary Commitment

The breadth of Ana Maria's combat sports training sets her apart from pure grapplers who transition into MMA. She trains and competes across Boxing, Muay Thai, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts — a multi-disciplinary commitment that reflects a deliberate effort to develop as a complete fighter rather than relying solely on her grappling base.

Her profile as a prominent female fighter gained further visibility through her appearance in the TV documentary No Limite, which brought her story to a broader Brazilian audience at a time when women's combat sports were drawing growing cultural attention. Her return to competition just four months after giving birth to her daughter stands as perhaps the most striking testament to the depth of her competitive drive.

A Studied Approach to Development

Ana Maria approaches her development as a fighter with deliberate intention, drawing specific lessons from a carefully observed group of elite competitors. Rather than modeling herself on a single athlete, she identifies distinct qualities in different practitioners and works to integrate those elements into her own game.

Her primary coach, Ricardo Vieira, holds the highest place in her estimation for ground movement — a quality she regards as unmatched in the sport. Ary Farias earns her admiration for a different reason: his consistent ability to perform in competition exactly as he does in training, a hallmark of mental discipline and preparation under pressure.

Technical and Tactical Benchmarks

For fighting approach, Ana Maria looks to Andre Galvao and his direct, efficient methodology — straight-to-the-point grappling that prioritizes execution over complexity. Ronaldo Jacare serves as a model for speed and aggression, while Tereré represents the ring intelligence and tactical awareness she works to sharpen. Roger Gracie embodies precision — a quality that has defined his dominance across decades of elite competition. Leo Leite offers a contrasting but equally valuable lesson in composure under competitive pressure.

Rounding out her inspirations are Roberto Cyborg and Alan Finfou, two figures whose competitive legacies within Brazilian BJJ have established them as benchmarks for serious practitioners. Together, these influences form a comprehensive framework through which Ana Maria continuously evaluates and refines her capabilities across every discipline she trains.

Competing Through Adversity

Beyond her technical accomplishments and competitive record, Ana Maria Gomes Soares has become a recognized example of athletic resilience within the Brazilian combat sports community. During her pregnancy, she maintained training through the first five months — a commitment that reflects both her physical conditioning and her psychological relationship with the sport. One month after giving birth, she returned to training. Four months after the birth of her daughter, she was back competing.

These milestones carry weight within a combat sports culture that has historically undervalued women's participation, and they speak directly to the standard of commitment she holds for herself.

A Platform and a Legacy

The TV documentary No Limite brought her journey as a female martial artist and mother to a national audience, positioning Ana Maria as more than an athlete — it framed her as a role model for women navigating the intersection of elite sport and personal life. Her trajectory, from a late starter in Barreiras to a Checkmat black belt and seasoned MMA competitor, stands as a substantive example of what sustained determination, tactical growth, and competitive courage produce over time.