Celso "Celsinho" Vinicius emerged as one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's most dominant lightweight competitors during the mid-2000s. Nearly unbeatable at the peak of his competitive career, he suffered only around three losses in his initial years at black belt. His consistent victories and rare defeats solidified his reputation as one of the toughest athletes to overcome in the lightweight division.

In the early 2010s, Celsinho transitioned seamlessly into mixed martial arts (MMA), compiling an impressive professional record of 5–1. Demonstrating technical versatility, he secured notable victories via submissions, including the Armbar and the North-South Choke. After achieving five consecutive wins, he retired from MMA competition in 2015, shifting his focus back to grappling events.

After a hiatus from elite-level grappling, Celsinho returned to competition at the prestigious ADCC 2019 World Championship in the 77kg division. At age 35, he showcased his enduring technical prowess by defeating renowned competitor Edwin Najmi in overtime during the opening round. In the quarter-finals, he narrowly lost on points to Vagner Rocha, underscoring his continued competitiveness at the highest levels of submission grappling.

Following his tenure as a coach at Ryan Gracie Academy, Celso Vinicius founded his own academy, XCOACH, in São Paulo. As head instructor, he represented XCOACH at major competitions, including the ADCC 2019 World Championship. Through his leadership and mentorship, Vinicius has significantly contributed to developing a new generation of competitive grapplers, fostering the growth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu talent in the region.

In November 2021, Celsinho returned to elite gi competition at BJJ Stars 7, securing a points victory over American grappler AJ Agazarm. This win, achieved years after his IBJJF World Championship titles, demonstrated that Vinicius remains highly competitive and capable of defeating top-tier modern athletes in the sport.

Celso Vinicius is renowned for his exceptional defensive skills and strategic approach to competition. Notoriously difficult to submit, he has been forced to tap only twice in over 80 professional grappling matches. The vast majority of his losses have come by points or decision, highlighting his remarkable defensive mastery and tactical acumen—qualities instrumental in his success as a three-time world champion.