Building a Reputation on the American Circuit
João Faria established himself as a no-gi specialist, with his most prominent results coming in no-gi and submission grappling formats. Competing in the Middleweight division at 82kg/181lbs, he brought a submission-focused, technically well-rounded game that reflected his dual background in Judo and BJJ — blending explosive takedown instincts with refined ground-based control.
His competitive momentum on the American circuit began in 2007 with a victory at the Aggro Submission Grappling Championship, followed by a win at the US Open in 2008. Those results established Faria as a credible force in domestic competition and set the stage for his most accomplished stretch on the mats.
Peak Competitive Years
In 2009, Faria reached the podium at both the American National No-Gi Championship, earning silver, and the American National Championship, where he added a bronze. Those performances proved to be a prelude to his finest competitive year. In 2010, Faria claimed a double gold at the World No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the Master category — winning both the weight division and the absolute title — a result that firmly cemented his standing among the leading no-gi grapplers of his generation. That same year, he also captured the Pan American Championship in the Master division, capping a remarkable competitive run that demonstrated the full range of his grappling abilities.