Gabriel Gaudio

Gabriel Gaudio was born on May 27, 1997, in Brazil, and gravitated toward sport from a remarkably young age. At four years old, he began training judo under Emerson Neves, building a rigorous grappling foundation that would inform every dimension of his development as a martial artist. The discipline, balance, and throwing mechanics he absorbed through years on the judo mat gave Gaudio a physical and technical edge that would later set him apart on the jiu-jitsu competition circuit.

Around the age of ten, a chance circumstance reshaped his trajectory entirely. After judo sessions at his home gym, a jiu-jitsu class would follow on the same mats. Rather than stepping outside, Gaudio stayed to watch — week after week, quietly observing from the sidelines while waiting for his mother. That sustained curiosity eventually caught the attention of the BJJ instructor, who invited him to step onto the mat and join the class. Gaudio accepted, and that single decision marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to jiu-jitsu.

What made that first class particularly consequential was the identity of the instructor extending the invitation. The coach who welcomed Gaudio onto the mat was Júlio César Pereira — founder and head of GF Team and one of the most respected jiu-jitsu instructors in the world. From his very first session, Gaudio's development was shaped by elite-level coaching, a privilege that would accelerate his growth at every stage.

Building a Championship Foundation

Trained directly by Júlio César Pereira, Gabriel Gaudio emerged as one of the most promising young competitors in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His progress through the colored belt divisions was defined by consistent results on the sport's most demanding stages. As early as 2014, Gaudio placed at the IBJJF Brazilian Nationals Juvenile, signaling his potential at an age when most athletes are still finding their competitive footing.

The defining moment of his formative years came in 2016, when Gaudio claimed gold at the IBJJF World Championship at blue belt — the most prestigious title available at that level. That same year, he earned a bronze medal at the IBJJF Brazilian Nationals at blue belt, reinforcing his ability to perform consistently across multiple high-profile events. The World Championship victory, in particular, crystallized his ambition and confirmed his intent to pursue a professional career in the sport.

Expanding His Résumé Across Belt Levels

Gaudio continued building his competitive record as he climbed the belt ladder. In 2017, at purple belt, he won the IBJJF Pan Pacific Championship in the no-gi format — a result that reinforced both his versatility and his ability to compete at a high level outside of Brazil. By 2019, at brown belt, he added the AJP Grand Slam LA title to his record, underscoring his readiness for the full demands of elite adult competition.

At nineteen, Gaudio took a significant step beyond competition by relocating to California alongside Júlio César Pereira to help establish the GF Team – Orange Academy, reflecting the depth of his commitment to both the sport and his team. The project was interrupted by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted his return to Brazil. On December 20, 2020, back in his home country, he received his black belt promotion — a milestone that formally opened the most demanding chapter of his athletic career.

A Dual-Discipline Competitor

Gabriel Gaudio competes in the Peso Pluma division (64 kg / 154.5 lbs) on the international circuit, representing Brazil under the GF Team banner. His black belt in both judo and jiu-jitsu grants him a rare dual competency: a technically refined ground game built within one of the sport's premier academies, combined with a stand-up and takedown arsenal sharpened over more than fifteen years of judo training. Few athletes in his weight class can match the breadth of that grappling toolkit.

Early Black Belt Results

His transition to black belt competition produced immediate results. In 2021, Gaudio claimed first place at the IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Con NOGI, a strong opening statement at the sport's highest level. That same year, he reached the final of the AJP Brazil National Pro, finishing in second place, and secured third place at the IBJJF Nashville Open — a run of performances that demonstrated both his competitiveness and his capacity to execute across different formats and organizations.

His no-gi results alongside his gi competition record paint the portrait of a versatile athlete capable of adapting to varied rulesets and environments — a direct reflection of the broad technical education he received under Júlio César Pereira and the grappling-rich culture of GF Team.