Carlos Henrique

Carlos Henrique Costa Campos was born on July 6, 1999, in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Growing up in the Bairro Alvorada neighborhood, he initially aspired to become a professional football player, competing at a local club until age 13. Henrique's first exposure to martial arts occurred in 2014 through an MMA class, but it was the sight of neighbors carrying their kimonos that truly piqued his interest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Motivated by this inspiration, he joined the Nova União academy in Manaus, marking the beginning of his journey in the art.

After starting his training at Nova União, Henrique faced a temporary break due to financial challenges. He later resumed his development with Checkmat, where the highly competitive environment pushed him to elevate his skills and mindset. In 2019, Henrique transitioned to Dream Art, a pivotal move that accelerated his competitive growth. His commitment and technical evolution culminated in his promotion to black belt by Isaque Bahiense in November 2022.

Transition to No-Gi Training

Henrique's early competitive focus centered on gi tournaments, but in 2020, he began integrating no-gi training into his regimen. He strategically alternated between gi and no-gi, pausing no-gi sessions during major gi events such as the IBJJF World Championship and resuming them afterward.

Tactical Adaptation and Style

In preparation for his debut at 2023 Tezos WNO 19 against Ben Eddy, Henrique intensified his no-gi training, emphasizing defensive tactics against leg attacks and refining strategies to neutralize the closed guard. His no-gi approach is defined by aggressive, pressure-based top passing, demonstrating his ability to adapt and excel across both formats of the sport.

Technical Profile and Strategy

Henrique characterizes himself as a well-rounded athlete, equally adept at pulling guard, passing, and wrestling. He is particularly recognized for his relentless, pressure-oriented passing game, which he applies effectively in both gi and no-gi settings. Henrique identifies experience and tactical timing as key areas for ongoing refinement, consistently seeking to sharpen his decision-making under pressure.

Competitive Ambitions

Driven by a desire to reach the pinnacle of no-gi competition, Henrique aims to qualify for and win an ADCC main event. His analytical approach and commitment to continuous improvement underscore his pursuit of excellence on the international stage.