Born on June 7, 1989, in Saquarema—a renowned surfing hotspot in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil—Jaime Canuto initially pursued surfing, excelling in local competitions from a young age. Although he briefly explored Capoeira during his pre-teen years, his passion remained firmly rooted in surfing. By his mid-teens, however, Canuto recognized limitations in his potential to reach elite surfing levels. This realization prompted him to revisit Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art he had briefly experienced and enjoyed at age 13, ultimately shifting his athletic focus entirely to grappling.

Canuto began his dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey under Renato Verás, known as "Perninha," at a Grappling Fight Team (GF Team) affiliate academy. Training exclusively under Verás from white belt through black belt, Canuto developed a highly technical and submission-oriented style. His black belt promotion came directly from GF Team leader Julio Cesar Pereira at the 2013 IBJJF World Championship, following an outstanding performance where he submitted four of his six opponents via armbar. Upon returning home to Saquarema, his instructor Renato Verás formally recognized and officiated the promotion.

Canuto significantly elevated his international profile at the 2014 IBJJF World Championship by defeating the heavily favored Clark Gracie. This notable upset showcased Canuto's tactical prowess and aggressive submission hunting, firmly establishing him as a prominent competitor in the middleweight division and drawing widespread attention from the global Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community.

Dubbed "The Armbar Machine," Jaime Canuto is renowned for his exceptional finishing rate with the Armbar. His aggressive, submission-focused approach consistently pressures opponents into vulnerable positions, allowing him to capitalize with precise armbar attacks. This reputation solidified early in his career, notably at the 2013 IBJJF World Championship (brown belt), where he secured four victories via armbar, demonstrating technical mastery and strategic execution.

Canuto relocated to Belton, Texas, where he founded JC School of Jiu-Jitsu. His academy emphasizes community-building and provides a family-oriented training environment, aligning closely with his personal goal of raising his family in a small-town atmosphere. Balancing competitive ambitions with coaching responsibilities, Canuto actively mentors students, sharing his extensive knowledge and fostering technical growth within his academy.

Transitioning seamlessly into the Master 1 division, Canuto maintained his competitive momentum, capturing the IBJJF Master World Championship title in 2022. He further solidified his dominance by securing consecutive IBJJF Pan titles at Master 1 middleweight in 2023 and 2024. His aggressive and tactical performance at the 2024 IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship culminated in a decisive victory over Pedro Palhares in the final, reinforcing his status as a leading competitor in the division.

In early 2023, Jaime Canuto expanded his training by joining sessions with John Danaher's New Wave team in Austin, Texas. This cross-training included sparring with elite grappler Gordon Ryan, providing Canuto valuable insights and sharpening his no-gi skill set. The experience allowed him to refine his grappling techniques and strategic approach, further enhancing his competitive edge in both gi and no-gi formats.