Mayssa Bastos was born on October 23, 1997, in Niterói, Brazil, a city situated across Guanabara Bay from Rio de Janeiro. She spent much of her childhood in Maricá, also within Rio de Janeiro state. Initially introduced to martial arts through Judo, Bastos was inspired by her older brother and father. In 2009, at the age of 12, she transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the guidance of coach Jair Court in Maricá, quickly discovering her passion for grappling.

Bastos swiftly rose through the juvenile and colored belt ranks, establishing herself as a dominant competitor early in her career. She trained extensively at the Meyer headquarters of GF Team in Rio de Janeiro, under the mentorship of Júlio César Pereira. Her dedication and consistent success culminated in her promotion to black belt by Pereira on June 4, 2018, while standing atop the podium at the 2018 IBJJF World Championship.

Seeking advanced training opportunities, Bastos regularly traveled to New York City to train at Unity JJ, preparing strategically for major competitions, particularly those held on the East Coast of the United States. In 2023, she relocated to California to join Art of Jiu-Jitsu, training under the renowned Mendes brothers.

Since earning her black belt, Bastos has remained undefeated at the IBJJF World Championships in her weight class, securing consecutive gold medals from 2019 through 2024. Her remarkable 2023 season was highlighted by achieving the prestigious IBJJF Grand Slam, capturing gold at the 2023 IBJJF World Championship, 2023 IBJJF Pan Championship, 2023 IBJJF European Championship, and 2023 CBJJ Brazilian Nationals. Bastos consistently demonstrates exceptional versatility and technical precision, excelling in both gi and no-gi divisions at major IBJJF tournaments.

In 2024, Bastos expanded her competitive accomplishments by capturing the inaugural ONE Championship atomweight submission grappling world title. She successfully defended this prestigious title later the same year, further solidifying her status as a leading figure in professional submission grappling.

Bastos qualified for the esteemed 2022 ADCC World Championship by winning the Brazilian Trials in the 60kg division. This achievement underscored her adaptability and technical proficiency in elite-level no-gi competition, further highlighting her versatility as a grappler.

Guard Play and Submission Focus

Bastos is renowned for her aggressive guard game, characterized by dynamic sweeps, precise transitions, and relentless submission attacks. Her ability to seamlessly chain techniques and maintain offensive pressure consistently places opponents on the defensive.

Technical Precision and Adaptability

A highly technical competitor, Bastos demonstrates exceptional control and positional awareness across both gi and no-gi formats. Her tactical approach emphasizes smooth transitions, strategic grips, and precise timing, enabling her to dominate exchanges and secure advantageous positions.

Offensive Mindset

Bastos employs a proactive and offensive style, continuously seeking opportunities to advance position and secure submissions. Her relentless pace and technical versatility have established her as one of the most respected and feared competitors in her weight divisions.