Matheus Godoy

Matheus Godoy was born on May 23, 1993, in Aquidauana, a small rural town in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, nestled on the southern edge of the Pantanal — one of the world's largest and most biodiverse tropical wetlands. Growing up in this remote corner of the country shaped his early athletic journey in fundamental ways, as access to high-level martial arts training was far from guaranteed. A brief introduction to taekwondo during his elementary years planted an early seed, but it was jiu-jitsu that ignited a lasting passion for martial arts and competition.

In 2005, at the age of 12, Godoy began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under coach Delson Bueno, taking his first steps on a path that would eventually lead him to international competition. Navigating the limited training resources available in Aquidauana demanded resourcefulness and determination. He regularly made the trip between his hometown and the state capital, Campo Grande, where he trained extensively under Alan Régis — widely known by his nickname Tatuapú. That relationship proved foundational. Throughout the majority of his colored belt career, Godoy competed as a representative of Gracie Barra / Tatuapú JJ, building the technical base and competitive mindset that would define his trajectory as an athlete.

The pivotal shift in Matheus Godoy's affiliation came in 2011, when he traveled to California to compete at the IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship. There, he connected with representatives of Alliance's São Paulo headquarters — friendships that would gradually reshape the direction of his career. That bond deepened over the following years, and in 2014, as a purple belt, Godoy made the decisive move to relocate to São Paulo and train full-time at the Alliance headquarters.

His time in São Paulo was not without adversity. A serious training injury cut his stay short and forced a return to Campo Grande to recover. Rather than allowing the setback to derail his ambitions, Godoy channeled his competitive experience into a coaching role, opening his own Alliance affiliate gym and bringing the methodology he had absorbed to athletes in his home region. His brown belt performances reflected the quality of his development — in 2015, he claimed gold at the IBJJF South Brazilian Championship, and in 2016, he reached the final of the IBJJF World Championship at brown belt, earning a silver medal. Later that year, Alan Tatuapú promoted Godoy to black belt — a recognition that honored the enduring bond between coach and student, and marked the beginning of a new competitive chapter.

In 2015, while competing as a brown belt, Godoy applied to the United Arab Emirates jiu-jitsu national program — an initiative designed to bring elite brown and black belt practitioners from around the world into the UAE's public school system as coaches and ambassadors for the sport. His application was accepted, and from that point forward, Godoy built a lifestyle split between the UAE and Brazil, contributing to the global growth of jiu-jitsu while continuing to pursue his own competitive goals.

International Podium Performances

Godoy's black belt career produced consistent results across multiple competitive platforms. In 2017, he claimed first place at the SPYDER Invitational, announcing his presence at the elite level. In 2018, he reached the podium at the AJP Grand Slam events in both Abu Dhabi and London, earning third-place finishes in each. His competitive drive remained sharp well into his black belt years — in 2021, he finished as runner-up at the IBJJF South American Championship, demonstrating sustained relevance against top-level opposition. His career arc — from a rural town on the edge of the Pantanal to competing and coaching on the international stage — stands as a testament to what talent, adaptability, and strong mentorship can produce in the global landscape of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.