Flavio Vianna

Flavio Vianna was born on August 13, 1991, in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — a city nestled in the mountainous interior of the state, known for its European heritage and close-knit communities. Like many who go on to dedicate their lives to jiu-jitsu, Vianna did not immediately gravitate toward the sport. It was his parents who recognized its potential benefits and encouraged him to begin training — a nudge that would ultimately define the course of his athletic and professional life.

Vianna took his first steps on the mats at the DDR Academy, training under Taedes Mendonça and Manoel João. The structured environment of the DDR program gave him the technical grounding and competitive mindset that would carry him through years of development and onto the international stage.

Vianna's journey through the belt ranks was shaped by a succession of mentors, each leaving a distinct mark on his development. Taedes Mendonça guided him through the foundational stages of his training, elevating him to purple belt and providing the technical and competitive framework upon which Vianna built his game.

His progression continued under Manoel João at the DDR Academy, who oversaw his advancement through brown belt. Between these milestones, Vianna spent three years training at GF Team, one of Brazil's most respected academies — an experience that broadened his technical repertoire and sharpened his competitive preparation against higher-level opposition.

In 2016, Vianna received his black belt from Wilson Féu, his uncle — a moment that carried both athletic and personal significance. The family connection gave this achievement a deeper resonance, completing a journey that had begun with a reluctant step onto the mats and culminated in a promotion from one of the most important figures in his life.

Following his relocation to the United Arab Emirates in 2017, Vianna established himself as a consistent force on the UAEJJF competition circuit, building a record marked by sustained podium-level performance across multiple event formats.

2017: Early Podium Finishes

Vianna wasted no time making his presence felt on the regional circuit. In 2017, he reached the finals at both the Fujairah Pro and the Ajman Pro, earning silver medals at each — a strong signal that he had adapted quickly to the demands of Middle Eastern tournament jiu-jitsu.

2018: A Career-Defining Season

Vianna's most significant competitive achievement came in 2018, when he claimed gold at the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam in the 77kg division — a result that marked him as one of the standout performers in his weight class on the regional circuit. He backed up that title with a gold medal at the 2018 UAEJJF World Pro Qualifier, affirming that his Grand Slam performance was part of a broader pattern of consistency rather than an isolated result. A silver medal at the RAK Pro and a bronze at the Fujairah Pro rounded out a year of exceptional competitive output, underscoring his ability to perform at a high level across a demanding schedule.

Vianna's move to the United Arab Emirates in 2017 was driven by a desire to build a coaching career in one of the sport's most actively developing regions. He aligned himself with Palm Sports, an organization focused on expanding the jiu-jitsu job market across the Middle East by connecting Brazilian practitioners with coaching opportunities throughout the Gulf.

His dual role as an active competitor and working coach places him among a generation of Brazilian black belts who have played a meaningful part in the sport's regional growth. Competing under the UAE flag, Vianna has integrated fully into the local jiu-jitsu community, contributing to its development both on and off the mats.