Joao Cizeski

Born on November 26, 1994, in Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil, João Felipe Cizeski grew up as a naturally athletic competitor with a sharp instinct for sport. Before discovering jiu-jitsu, he invested heavily in basketball, competing regularly and developing the discipline and competitive mindset that would later define his approach on the mats. At 17, Cizeski made a decisive athletic pivot, stepping onto the mats for the first time at the academy run by Eduardo Milioli — an affiliate of the Rillion Gracie association based in Criciúma. Those foundational years under Milioli's instruction gave Cizeski the technical grounding and competitive drive that would eventually push him to seek opportunities far beyond his home state.

Cizeski's ambition to compete at a professional level led him to pursue a scholarship at FP Team, a structured and highly selective program headed by Felipe Pena, one of Brazil's most decorated competitors in the modern era. Acceptance into the program marked a genuine turning point in his career. To seize the opportunity, Cizeski relocated from Criciúma to Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais — a substantial personal commitment that reflected the seriousness of his competitive ambitions. FP Team operates as an affiliate of Gracie Barra, and Cizeski trains and competes under the banner of Gracie Barra Belvedere, the specific branch through which his IBJJF competition affiliation is officially registered.

Under Felipe Pena's guidance, Cizeski evolved into an elite-level competitor. Pena awarded him his brown belt in 2019, recognizing his sustained growth and competitive achievements at purple belt. In February 2021, Pena promoted Cizeski to black belt, formalizing his standing as a fully credentialed professional in the sport.

Few competitors at the purple belt level have matched the domestic consistency Cizeski demonstrated throughout his CBJJ Brazilian Nationals campaigns. He claimed gold at the Brazilian Nationals No-Gi in 2017 at purple belt, then successfully defended that title in 2018, establishing back-to-back dominance in the no-gi format. In 2019, he completed a remarkable domestic sweep — adding the Brazilian Nationals Gi title at purple belt while simultaneously capturing the Brazilian Nationals No-Gi gold at the brown belt level, proving his excellence transferred seamlessly across belt promotions. BJJ Heroes credits Cizeski with five Brazilian National titles across his purple belt campaigns, a figure that speaks to a level of domestic dominance uncommon at that stage of development. A 3rd place finish at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals No-Gi in 2017 further underscores the depth and consistency of his podium performances throughout those years.

His early international exposure came at the 2016 IBJJF South American Championship, where he competed at blue belt and earned a 3rd place finish — an early indicator of his capacity to perform on the regional international stage.

The 2019 IBJJF European Open stands as Cizeski's most significant international result during his purple belt years. Competing in Lisbon, he delivered a standout double-podium performance — earning a 2nd place finish in one category and a 3rd place finish in another, confirming his entry into multiple divisions at the tournament. Navigating separate brackets at a premier IBJJF Open event and reaching the podium in both demanded exceptional physical conditioning, technical depth, and tactical composure against elite international fields. The performance complemented his already formidable domestic record and placed him firmly on the radar as a competitor with legitimate ambitions at the highest levels of the sport.