Davi Cabral De Souza

Born on March 19, 1999, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Davi Cabral grew up immersed in a city with a deep-rooted martial arts culture. His introduction to combat sports came remarkably early — during kindergarten, when he began training judo, building the physical discipline and mental resilience that would define his time on the mats.

At 11, Cabral shifted his focus to Muay Thai, a discipline he pursued for several years that sharpened his competitive instincts and broadened his understanding of combat. His pivot toward jiu-jitsu, however, traces back to a single televised moment: Anderson Silva's dramatic submission of Chael Sonnen with a Triangle Choke at UFC 117. Delivered against overwhelming odds with surgical precision, that finish ignited in Cabral a fascination with grappling that led him directly to the academy floor. By late 2010, he had stepped onto the mats for the first time, and a competitive career was born.

Cabral's formative years in jiu-jitsu were shaped by a succession of coaches whose mentorship proved instrumental to his growth. He began under Everaldo Penco and Bruno Granola, with Granola playing a particularly central role throughout the colored belt years — working closely with Cabral to build the technical foundation that would carry him to the sport's highest levels. That development unfolded within the competitive culture of GF Team, an environment that demanded consistent results and rewarded technical excellence.

As Cabral advanced through the ranks, Júlio César Pereira stepped into the primary coaching role, becoming the figure responsible for his belt promotions. In October 2020, Pereira awarded Cabral his black belt — a milestone that marked not just a rank change, but the culmination of a colored belt career defined by serial podium finishes at major international events. Throughout this journey, GF Team served as both his competitive home and the structural framework for his development.

Across his colored belt career, Davi Cabral established himself as one of the most decorated competitors of his generation, accumulating titles across multiple belt levels and tournament formats. A defining pattern emerged early: an exceptional aptitude for No-Gi competition that would become the hallmark of his competitive identity.

As a blue belt in 2016, Cabral announced his presence on the national and continental stages by capturing both the IBJJF Brazilian Nationals No-Gi title and the IBJJF South American Championship. He continued building momentum as a purple belt, claiming the IBJJF Pan Championship No-Gi title in 2018 — a result that placed him firmly among the sport's most promising prospects in his weight class.

His performances at the IBJJF World Championship across multiple belt levels further cemented that reputation. Cabral earned a runner-up finish at the No-Gi Worlds as a blue belt in 2018 and replicated that result as a brown belt in 2019, demonstrating an ability to perform under pressure in one of BJJ's most competitive environments. The brown belt chapter produced his most high-profile colored belt results: a gold medal at the Copa Podio Iron Brown Belt — a prestigious invitational that pits the best competitors of their rank against one another — alongside a title at the IBJJF European Open. By the time he received his black belt in October 2020, Cabral had already proven himself a serial winner capable of rising to the occasion at the sport's marquee events.

Cabral carried the same technical sharpness and competitive consistency from his colored belt years into the black belt pro-division, wasting little time making his presence felt. Competing in the Super-Pesado division at 100.50 kg (222.0 lbs), he immediately contended at the highest level of the international circuit.

In 2021, he claimed gold at the IBJJF South American Championship No-Gi, validating his standing in the regional black belt landscape. The following year brought his most significant black belt title: No-Gi gold at the IBJJF Pan Championship in 2022, one of the sport's most prestigious annual tournaments. That same year, he reached the final of the AJP Grand Slam in Miami, earning a runner-up finish that reflected both his competitiveness and the caliber of opposition he regularly faces at the pro level.

Cabral's consistency at the IBJJF Pan Championship across three consecutive years — earning podium finishes in 2021, 2022, and 2023 — speaks to his durability as a contender within the Super-Heavyweight division. Continuing to represent GF Team and building on the foundation laid under Júlio César Pereira, Cabral stands as one of the more complete and experienced super-heavyweights competing on the international circuit.