Jordan Vaisman

Jordan Vaisman was born on July 27, 1998, in the Favela da Rocinha, one of Rio de Janeiro's most iconic and densely populated communities. From an early age, he gravitated toward athletic pursuits, beginning judo training at just four years old. That foundation of discipline, timing, and body awareness would later prove invaluable to his grappling development.

When Vaisman was 11, escalating crime in Rocinha prompted his family to relocate to Jacarepaguá, one of Rio de Janeiro's largest suburban districts. Though the move was born of necessity, it proved to be a pivotal turning point. At 12, Vaisman walked into a local Gracie Barra affiliate gym in Jacarepaguá and took his first jiu-jitsu class under coach Vinícius Coelho, known widely as "Villeem." That introduction to the gentle art set the trajectory for everything that followed.

A Single Mentor, a Lifelong Bond

From white belt through black belt, every promotion Jordan Vaisman received came from the same source: his original coach, Vinícius Coelho. That loyalty to a single mentor — sustained across years and thousands of miles of relocation — speaks to the depth of their coach-athlete relationship.

Building a Foundation in the United States

Vaisman's first move to the United States came through Gracie Barra's Arizona project, which brought the then-purple belt on as an assistant coach. The role gave him a foothold in American BJJ culture while allowing him to sharpen his own game. After two years in Arizona, he relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, where his ambitions shifted more decisively toward full-time competition.

In 2020, following approximately 18 months in Massachusetts, Vaisman moved to Texas and joined Gracie Barra Texas, training extensively under Draculino, one of BJJ's most respected master-level coaches. Draculino's influence shaped Vaisman's development significantly during that period, yet it was still Vinícius Coelho who formally awarded him his black belt — a ceremony conducted via video call on July 27, 2021, made necessary by the travel restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joining Art of Jiu-Jitsu

In August 2022, Vaisman announced his move to California to train at Art of Jiu-Jitsu in Costa Mesa under the guidance of Guilherme Mendes. The decision reflected a deliberate effort to close the gap between himself and the elite tier of black belt competition, placing him inside one of the sport's most technically refined training environments.

A Dominant Juvenile Career

Long before reaching black belt, Jordan Vaisman had already established himself as one of the most accomplished competitors of his generation at the colored belt level, with particular dominance in no-gi. In 2015 alone, he claimed the IBJJF World Championship juvenile title, the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals in both gi and no-gi formats, and the IBJJF South American Championship. That same year marked the conclusion of a five-year reign atop the Rio de Janeiro regional rankings (FJJR), which he had led consecutively from 2011 through 2015.

Purple and Brown Belt Dominance

As Vaisman progressed into the adult divisions, no-gi remained his sharpest weapon. At purple belt, he captured gold at the 2018 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship, an early signal of his potential at higher levels. That same belt level also brought a first-place finish at the AJP Grand Slam in Los Angeles in 2019.

Moving into brown belt, his no-gi dominance became even more pronounced. Vaisman won the IBJJF Pan Championship No-Gi in back-to-back years — 2019 and 2020 — and swept the 2020 IBJJF American Nationals, claiming gold in both the gi and no-gi formats. A runner-up finish at the 2020 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship in the gi division rounded out a brown belt campaign that demonstrated clear readiness for the sport's highest level.

A Birthday Promotion

Jordan Vaisman received his black belt on July 27, 2021 — his 23rd birthday — making the promotion a doubly significant milestone. The timing was a deliberate choice by Vinícius Coelho, adding personal weight to what was already an unconventional ceremony conducted via video call across state lines.

Early Black Belt Results

Vaisman's transition to the black belt division produced results almost immediately. At the 2021 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship, competing in his first full year at the elite level, he reached the podium with a third-place finish — a strong debut that affirmed his colored belt accomplishments were no fluke.

The AOJ Environment and Continued Growth

The move to Art of Jiu-Jitsu in August 2022 under Guilherme Mendes reflected a focused commitment to technical refinement. The AOJ environment, known for its emphasis on precision and high-level training partners, provided an ideal setting for Vaisman to develop the finer details of his black belt game.

By 2024, Vaisman again reached the podium at the IBJJF Pan Championship, earning another third-place finish and demonstrating consistent progression within the elite division. Competing at Peso Pluma (64 kg / 141.5 lbs), he continues to build his game within one of the sport's most competitive weight categories.