Max Gimenis was born on April 14, 1993, in Brazil. His martial arts journey began at age 10 with judo training. Shortly thereafter, he discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the same social club, quickly developing a passion for the art. His initial BJJ instruction came from Herman Santos, a black belt affiliated with GF Team (then known as UGF), whose mentorship inspired Gimenis to pursue grappling professionally.

As a blue belt, Gimenis relocated with his family to Guarapari, Espírito Santo, where he trained at the renowned Strike academy under Thiago Oliveira. After two years, driven by his ambition to compete professionally, Max returned to Rio de Janeiro and rejoined GF Team at their headquarters. Fully immersing himself in the competitive environment, he lived inside the gym, dedicating himself entirely to training. Under the direct mentorship of Master Júlio César Pereira, Gimenis rapidly progressed through the ranks, earning his purple, brown, and ultimately his black belt. Pereira awarded Gimenis his black belt on the podium at the 2016 IBJJF World Championship, marking a significant milestone in his competitive career.

Technical Breakdown

Max Gimenis is widely recognized for his crushing top pressure and relentless pressure-passing style, a hallmark of GF Team's grappling philosophy. His approach emphasizes heavy positional control, systematically neutralizing opponents' guards through precise weight distribution and incremental advancement. This tactical methodology consistently proves effective in elite gi and no-gi competitions, leading to victories at prestigious events such as the IBJJF Pan Championship and UAEJJF Grand Slam Miami.

Competitive Consistency

Gimenis maintains a rigorous year-round competition schedule across gi, no-gi, and MMA, demonstrating exceptional consistency and adaptability at the highest levels of grappling.

Expanding his competitive horizons, Gimenis transitioned into professional mixed martial arts, compiling an impressive record of 6–1. His elite grappling skills translate effectively into the MMA cage, allowing him to dominate opponents through superior ground control and submission threats. Despite his MMA commitments, Max continues to actively compete in high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, showcasing his versatility and unwavering dedication to grappling.

In addition to his competitive career, Max Gimenis co-founded the "Culture of Jiu Jitsu" academy in Maryland, USA, where he serves as head professor. At his academy, he emphasizes GF Team's renowned pressure-passing techniques, sharing his extensive, competition-tested knowledge with students on the East Coast. Gimenis frequently travels to conduct seminars, further spreading his expertise and contributing significantly to the global jiu-jitsu community.

To further advance his professional career, Gimenis relocated from Brazil to the United States. Recognizing wrestling's critical role in modern grappling competition, he strategically incorporated wrestling cross-training into his regimen. This tactical addition significantly enhanced his takedown abilities, providing a decisive competitive edge in both gi and no-gi competitions.

Max Gimenis' contributions to GF Team earned him a well-deserved induction into the GFTeam Hall of Fame. Celebrated as one of the team's standout super-heavyweight competitors, he embodies the academy's curriculum and competitive philosophy. His achievements, technical mastery, and dedication have solidified his legacy within the team and the broader Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community.