Gabi McComb

Gabrielle McComb Lima was born on October 3, 1997, in Manaus, the capital of Amazonas State, nestled on the banks of the Negro River in northwestern Brazil. Her path to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ran through her older sister Andrea — the first in the McComb family to train the art. Andrea trained under coach Alberto Valle through Acadepol, a social program organized by the local police department. One afternoon, a young Gabrielle tagged along to the academy and was immediately captivated by what she saw on the mats.

That first encounter lit a lasting fire. Gabrielle began her formal training at around eight years old, throwing herself into jiu-jitsu with growing enthusiasm. Her competitive drive took time to surface, but once it did, she committed fully — training and competing as frequently as the local circuit allowed. It was through that same circuit that she met Paulo Gabriel at fifteen, a training partner who would later become her life partner.

As a juvenile blue belt, McComb's trajectory began to accelerate. Andrea — who would go on to open her own BJJ academy — played a meaningful role in her development during this period, promoting Gabrielle to purple belt and helping shape the competitor she was becoming.

McComb announced her international potential early. In 2013, she made her first trip to the United States to compete in the IBJJF Juvenile World Championship — and won. That experience planted the seed for a permanent move to America that would come years later.

Her colored belt career stands among the most decorated of her generation. At blue belt, she claimed gold at the 2014 IBJJF World Championship, then repeated the feat at purple belt in 2016. She added IBJJF Pan Championship titles at blue belt (2015), purple belt (2016), and brown belt (2017 and 2018). The 2017 season also brought the IBJJF World No-Gi Championship at brown belt. Her 2015 campaign included the IBJJF South American Championship and the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals at purple belt, while a 2016 UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro title reinforced the elite caliber she was steadily building.

Following her strong 2016 purple belt season, McComb entered discussions with Letícia Ribeiro about relocating to the United States. Those conversations turned into action — later that year, Gabrielle and Paulo Gabriel made the move, joining Gracie Humaitá South Bay under the guidance of Letícia Ribeiro and Fabrício Camões. The professional environment allowed her game to evolve in new ways. In June 2018, after a standout run on the brown belt circuit, both McComb and Paulo Gabriel received their black belts from Ribeiro and Camões — a milestone that opened the most consequential chapter of her competitive life.

Establishing Elite Status

McComb wasted little time asserting herself at the black belt level. Her first years after promotion produced IBJJF Pan Championship gold in 2019 and 2020, a No-Gi Pans title in 2018, and American Nationals gold in 2020. Bronze medals at the 2019 IBJJF World Championship and the 2019 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship confirmed her place among the world's elite as she continued refining every aspect of her game.

Joining Atos and Reaching the Summit

In 2021, McComb made the move to Atos in San Diego, coming under the guidance of André Galvão. The transition proved immediately transformative. Entering the IBJJF World Championship held in November of that year as an Atos representative, she stepped onto the podium's highest step — defeating Bianca Basilio in the featherweight final to claim gold. That victory stands as one of the defining moments of her career, a direct reflection of the work done within her new team. A silver medal at the 2021 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship and a runner-up finish at the Pan Championship that same year further underscored her consistency across the sport's major stages.

Sustained Excellence

McComb's development under Atos continued to produce results at the highest level. In 2023, she captured gold at the IBJJF World No-Gi Championship in the middleweight division (66kg), demonstrating her ability to compete effectively across weight classes and formats alike. On August 23, 2024, André Galvão promoted her to second-degree black belt — a recognition of her sustained excellence and the depth of her commitment to both her team and the sport.

Relentless Pressure and Forward Intent

Gabrielle McComb's reputation on the competition mats is built on relentless pressure and a consistently aggressive approach to engagement. She seeks to impose her game from the outset, grinding opponents down with forward momentum and a physical intensity that leaves little room for recovery. This assertive style has defined her performance across gi and no-gi formats alike, and across multiple weight divisions — a testament to both her physical conditioning and her technical adaptability.

The Mental Edge

What distinguishes McComb beyond her physical approach is the emotional discipline she has cultivated around competition. Her intensity on the mats contrasts with a composed and measured demeanor away from them. She has worked deliberately to manage the mental demands of high-stakes performance, approaching major events with a focus on full commitment rather than preoccupation with outcomes — a mindset that consistently allows her aggressive style to operate without hesitation.

Training and Preparation

Her preparation reflects a professional and multidimensional approach. Training sessions incorporate jiu-jitsu drilling and sparring alongside circuit training, Bulgarian bag work, and agility development. She has also worked with nutritionist Nathalia Chantre in support of a return to the featherweight division, reflecting a structured and deliberate approach to weight management as part of a broader competitive strategy.

Beyond the IBJJF circuit, McComb has expanded her competition footprint into submission-only formats, including Fight 2 Win and Submission On The Shore, where she claimed gold in 2020. Her willingness to test herself across different rulesets and weight classes — combined with a record of sustained success at the sport's most prestigious events — marks her as one of the most well-rounded and complete competitors of her generation.