Paulo Merlin

Paulo Merlin was born in June 2001 in Sertãozinho, São Paulo, Brazil — a city renowned for its sugar and ethanol industry in the state's interior. Before jiu-jitsu defined his path, Merlin spent his early years on the football pitch, developing his athleticism as a goalkeeper. His introduction to the mats came through an unlikely channel: a local social project that brought the eight-year-old into a Brazilian jiu-jitsu class for the first time.

Merlin's initial motivation was simple — he wanted to lose weight. He joined a class led by Gracie Barra black belt Edvaldo Martins Franco Dedé, whose guidance would leave a lasting imprint on his development. What began as a practical health goal evolved quickly into something far greater. The competitive energy of the gym ignited a passion in Merlin that would shape the entire trajectory of his career, transforming him into a fixture on IBJJF podiums for years to come.

Under Edvaldo Martins Franco Dedé's guidance, Paulo Merlin progressed methodically through the kids' belts and into the junior competitive circuit. Representing Gracie Barra, he built a reputation as one of Brazil's most consistent young competitors, displaying technical maturity well beyond his age and experience.

His juvenile results signaled a serious talent in the making. In 2016, he claimed gold at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals — a title he would repeat in 2018. The year 2017 proved particularly landmark on the international stage: Merlin won gold at both the IBJJF European Championship and the IBJJF South American Championship, while adding a bronze in the absolute at the Europeans. That same year, he topped the podium at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals No-Gi in both the weight and absolute categories, demonstrating versatility across both formats of competition. By the time he reached blue belt, Merlin had already accumulated a record that most competitors never approach across an entire career.

The next major chapter in Paulo Merlin's career began in 2018, when his blue belt results attracted the attention of Ana Laura Cordeiro and Rafael Pinto, instructors at Gracie Barra Upland in California. The pair extended an invitation for Merlin to relocate to the United States and continue his training at their academy — an opportunity he accepted, making the significant move from Brazil to pursue his career at a higher level.

The decision proved transformative. Merlin maintained his presence at the highest levels of IBJJF competition throughout his purple belt years, reinforcing his credentials with further titles and podium finishes. In 2019, he captured gold at both the IBJJF Pan Championship No-Gi and the IBJJF World Championship No-Gi at blue belt. In 2020, he added the IBJJF South American Championship title at purple belt. Ana Laura Cordeiro and Rafael Pinto guided his promotions through purple belt and ultimately to black belt, awarding him the latter on December 17, 2022 — marking his formal entry into the sport's most demanding competitive tier.

Following his black belt promotion in December 2022, Paulo Merlin wasted little time establishing himself among the elite in the Super-Pesado division (100.50 kg / 222.0 lbs). His transition to the black belt level carried immediate impact on major IBJJF podiums, a testament to the depth of preparation accumulated across his colored belt years.

In 2023, Merlin earned a third-place finish in the absolute division at the IBJJF World Championship, demonstrating his ability to compete beyond his weight class against the best athletes in the world. At the 2023 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship, he again reached the podium with a third-place result. The following year brought further progress: at the 2024 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship, Merlin advanced to the final, earning a silver medal that reflected his continued growth at the elite level. A second third-place finish at the IBJJF World Championship in 2024 further confirmed his standing as a consistent contender in one of the division's most competitive eras.