João José Bezerra

João José Bezerra occupies a singular position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: an elite-level competitor who pursued the sport as a practicing Catholic priest. Born and raised in Brazil, Bezerra committed himself fully to both religious vocation and competitive grappling — a combination that captured national attention and challenged assumptions about who competes at the highest levels of the sport.

Competing in the Master 3 category at up to 88 kilograms, Bezerra progressed steadily through the belt ranks while fulfilling his duties as a parish priest. At 42 years old during his most prominent competition milestones, he proved that the rigors of priestly life and high-level grappling training could coexist. His journey from white belt to brown belt to black belt unfolded in parallel with his ecclesiastical responsibilities, establishing him as one of the most distinctive figures at the intersection of religious life and combat sports in Brazil.

The defining moment of Bezerra's competitive career arrived at the CBJJE World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held at Ibirapuera Gymnasium in late November 2023. Competing as a brown belt in the Master 3 division at up to 88 kilograms, he earned a World Vice-Championship — a result that generated recognition across Brazil both within the BJJ community and in the broader national media.

The vice-championship served as the direct catalyst for his promotion to black belt, validating his technical progression and competitive credibility. With that promotion, Bezerra became recognized as Brazil's first Catholic priest to hold a BJJ black belt — a distinction that resonated far beyond the sport itself. The achievement underscored how seriously he had pursued mastery on the mats, even as his commitment to the Church remained unwavering.

Bezerra carried his momentum into the black belt division, returning to Ibirapuera Gymnasium in São Paulo for the South American Jiu-Jitsu Championship, held from May 30 through June 1, 2025. Facing seasoned black belt competitors, he secured a third-place finish — a result that affirmed his ability to contend at the continental level in his new division.

The accomplishment resonated strongly within his local community. Bezerra's City Council formally honored him in recognition of the achievement, with local officials acknowledging that his athletic pursuits had brought meaningful recognition to the region. The council's tribute reflected the community pride attached to his dual identity as a Catholic priest and elite competitor. The third-place finish at the South American Championship made clear that his competitive trajectory had not plateaued after the world vice-championship — Bezerra had transitioned to the black belt ranks and continued to perform at a high level.

On August 7, 2025, an incident at Paróquia Nossa Senhora Consolata in São Manuel, São Paulo, brought Bezerra's public profile into sharply different territory. During an exorcism ritual, a 62-year-old woman alleged that Bezerra physically assaulted her in the course of the rite. The Archdiocese of Botucatu responded by removing him from his ministerial position — a decision that drew significant attention in Brazil and internationally.

The case prompted broader questions about the protocols governing exorcism practices within the Catholic Church in Brazil, including the standards expected of officiating clergy and the oversight mechanisms in place for such rites. A particular point of public and ecclesiastical scrutiny involved the intersection of Bezerra's physical conditioning as a BJJ black belt with his conduct during a religious ceremony, raising questions about how his athletic background may have factored into the events of that day. The matter remains a subject of ongoing discussion in both religious and civil contexts in Brazil.