Jurandir Conceição

Jurandir Conceição was born on May 10, 1989, in the Brooklin neighborhood of São Paulo, Brazil. His childhood was shadowed by persistent bullying at school — an experience that, rather than breaking him, pushed him toward martial arts as a vehicle for self-improvement and personal protection.

His training began at age 8 with judo, building a foundational understanding of grappling mechanics and discipline that would underpin everything to follow. He expanded his education through capoeira and boxing, absorbing techniques rooted deeply in Brazilian martial culture and developing a versatile athleticism across striking and movement. At 15, Conceição stepped onto the BJJ mats for the first time. What began as a search for confidence and safety quickly evolved into his defining athletic and personal pursuit.

Roberto Godoy served as Jurandir Conceição's first BJJ instructor, but his role extended far beyond the technical. Their relationship deepened profoundly during one of the most painful periods of Conceição's youth: the suicide of his father. The loss plunged the young athlete into severe depression, and it was jiu-jitsu — anchored by Godoy's steady mentorship — that provided him a path back toward stability and purpose.

During those darkest years, training became the one consistent positive force in Conceição's life. The discipline, structure, and community of BJJ helped redirect his grief into growth. Godoy's guidance went well beyond technical instruction, shaping Conceição's character as much as his game on the mat.

That investment bore decisive fruit in 2012. Competing at brown belt, Conceição claimed gold at the IBJJF Pan American Championship and reached the final of the IBJJF World Championship — performances that placed him firmly among the elite and signaled his readiness for the sport's highest rank. Later that year, Godoy formally awarded Conceição his black belt, completing a journey defined as much by personal resilience as by athletic excellence.

Competing in the Meio Pesado division (88.30 kg / 195.0 lbs) under the G13 banner, Jurandir Conceição established himself as one of the most dynamic and exciting guard players of his generation. His attacking, bottom-up style drew a loyal following among fans of high-paced, technically sophisticated grappling.

Building a Medal Record at Black Belt

In 2013, Conceição earned bronze at the IBJJF São Paulo Open — one of his first notable results at black belt. By 2015, he claimed gold at the CBJJ Sul Brasileiro, and in 2016 he topped the podium at the 2016 IBJJF Miami Spring Open, cementing his place among the sport's competitive elite. He returned to Miami in 2017, taking silver, and added a bronze at the IBJJF Belo Horizonte Summer Open the same year.

High-Profile Appearances and Grand Prix

In 2018, Conceição posted a third-place finish at the UAEJJF South America Continental Pro. His most prominent stage arrived in 2019, when he reached the final of the BJJ Stars Grand Prix — a platform that placed his guard-centered game directly against top-level opposition and showcased its effectiveness at the highest level of the sport.

Alongside his competitive career, Conceição developed a parallel identity as a coach — one that took root long before he reached the upper belts. As early as his blue belt years, he showed a genuine dedication to teaching, consistently refining his ability to communicate and transmit technique with clarity.

Returning to Brooklin

A defining opportunity came when Conceição began leading classes at Rock Fight Academy in Brooklin, São Paulo — the very neighborhood where he grew up and where his martial arts journey first began. The setting gave his work as an instructor a meaningful personal dimension, connecting his coaching to the community that had shaped him.

Shortly after receiving his black belt from Roberto Godoy in 2012, Conceição became a majority associate of Rock Fight Academy, taking on the responsibilities of co-ownership. Recognizing that athletic expertise alone was insufficient to build a thriving gym, he committed to learning the business side of the industry — studying management, marketing, and accountancy to develop the administrative skills needed to run a professional operation.

Rock Fight Academy and the G13 Network

That investment in business education yielded lasting results. Rock Fight Academy expanded and prospered under Conceição's stewardship, earning recognition as one of the flagship affiliates of the G13 team in Brazil. The gym stands as a testament to his conviction that the lessons of jiu-jitsu — discipline, perseverance, and continuous self-improvement — apply with equal force inside and outside the competition arena.