João Pedro Freitas

João Pedro Freitas competes at purple belt under coach Eduardo Bessa at BTT Rio das Ostras in Rio das Ostras, Brazil. His competitive trajectory reached a defining moment with an IBJJF Pan-American No-Gi Championship title at purple belt — a milestone that validated both his growth as an athlete and the methodical development philosophy his coach has long championed.

A guiding principle from Bessa anchors João Pedro's approach to training and competition: "Não passe por cima do processo nem tente adiantar as coisas. Tudo na sua vida tem seu tempo determinado" — do not rush or skip the process; everything in life has its set time. That philosophy of patience and deliberate progression shapes how João Pedro moves through each stage of his development, complemented by a consistent openness to instruction and a genuine willingness to be coached at every turn.

Structure and Environment

In the 2026 season, João Pedro undertook a training exchange at BTT Texas in the United States under professor Diego Gamonal, a three-time No-Gi World Champion with an extensive IBJJF résumé. The arrangement builds on an earlier stint at BTT Texas in 2025, with the ongoing partnership strengthened by the friendship between Gamonal and Eduardo Bessa — a relationship that has created a natural bridge between the two programs.

The training environment at BTT Texas is demanding by design. João Pedro's daily structure can reach four sessions per day, spanning strength and conditioning, technical drills, and sparring rounds. That volume, combined with direct access to Gamonal's competitive knowledge, has reshaped how he approaches preparation and the psychological demands of high-level competition.

Competitive Focus

As of October 2026, João Pedro intended to remain in the United States through December 2026, with the IBJJF No-Gi World Championship in Las Vegas serving as his primary competitive target for that period.

Elite Coaching and Accelerated Development

Those who have worked closely with João Pedro describe a competitor whose defining qualities extend well beyond physical ability. In a profile published by Gracie Magazine in October 2026, Diego Gamonal characterized João Pedro as possessing remarkable willpower, grit, discipline, and a genuine love for training. Gamonal highlighted his ability to receive corrections and apply them quickly as a particularly valuable trait — one that accelerates development in ways raw talent alone cannot. Gamonal expressed confidence that these qualities position João Pedro to rise rapidly on the international scene, predicting he would make significant impact globally.

Psychological Development

Off the mat, João Pedro has invested deliberately in the mental side of competition. In 2025, he began working with psychologist Flávia — a process he credits with fundamentally changing his relationship with adversity and building the confidence required to perform at elite levels. He treats psychological preparation as a discipline in its own right rather than an afterthought, integrating it alongside the technical and physical demands of his training.

Taken together, the foundational guidance of Eduardo Bessa, elite mentorship from Diego Gamonal, and structured psychological development paint the picture of an athlete building methodically toward sustained international relevance.