Pedro Pimenta

Pedro Alex — widely known as Pedro Pimenta, or by his nickname "Bombom" — began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey at Academia Pro Combat, the local branch of the prestigious GF Team network. Under the tutelage of Gabriel Marinho, a respected black belt under Julio Cesar and a representative of the Grappling Fight Team (GFT), Pedro found the structured, high-level environment that would serve as the bedrock of his competitive development.

While Pedro entered the sport at an early age, it was at purple belt that his relationship with jiu-jitsu underwent a decisive shift. Rather than treating training as a pastime, "Bombom" embraced the sport as a profession, approaching each session with sharper focus and greater intention. That turning point accelerated his trajectory significantly, producing standout results on the competitive circuit and confirming the qualities of a future elite competitor.

With Gabriel Marinho guiding his technical evolution, Pedro's game matured steadily through the colored belt ranks. His performances served as a consistent indicator of elite potential — structured, purposeful, and increasingly polished. On October 16, 2020, Gabriel Marinho formally recognized that growth by awarding Pedro his black belt. From that moment, Pedro Pimenta stepped onto the international stage as a full representative of GF Team, carrying the legacy of Academia Pro Combat with him.

Pedro Pimenta's transition to black belt competition was immediate and emphatic. Competing in the ultra-heavyweight (Pesadíssimo) division, he wasted no time asserting himself at the top level of the sport. In 2020, Pedro claimed the IBJJF South American Championship title, then defended it successfully in 2021 to secure back-to-back gold medals — a clear statement of his dominance in South American competition.

Versatility Across Gi and No-Gi

A defining characteristic of Pedro's black belt career has been his effectiveness across both gi and no-gi formats. In 2022, he captured the IBJJF South American Championship No-Gi title, demonstrating that his technical arsenal translates fluidly beyond the traditional gi. That same year, he reached the final of the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals, earning a silver medal that reinforced his standing among the country's elite heavyweights.

Competing at the Highest Levels

The 2021 Copa Podio HW Grand Prix offered Pedro an elevated stage against the world's top ultra-heavyweight competitors, and he delivered — reaching the final and finishing as runner-up. His consistency at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals continued in 2023 with a bronze medal finish. By 2024, Pedro's elite status was confirmed on the sport's grandest platform: a silver medal at the IBJJF World Championship in the Pesadíssimo division placed him among the very best in the world, while a bronze medal at the Pan Championship that same year further cemented his reputation as a perennial podium presence on the international circuit.

Long before his black belt accomplishments, Pedro Pimenta's colored belt career served as a compelling preview of the competitor he would become. Across the blue, purple, and brown belt divisions, he delivered the kind of consistent, championship-level performances that are rare at any stage of an athlete's development.

IBJJF World Championship Trajectory

Pedro's appearances at the IBJJF World Championship during this period were particularly telling. A bronze medal at blue belt in 2015 was followed by a silver medal in 2016 at the same event — then a silver medal again as a purple belt in 2017. Rather than isolated results, these finishes traced a clear upward trajectory, signaling steady growth and an expanding technical game at each belt level.

No-Gi and Gi Dominance Across Multiple Belt Levels

In the no-gi arena, Pedro proved equally formidable. He claimed back-to-back CBJJ Brazilian Nationals No-Gi titles at purple belt in 2016 and 2017, then returned to claim that title again at brown belt in 2019 — a remarkable display of sustained excellence across multiple years and belt levels. His gi performances at brown belt were equally impressive: a CBJJ Brazilian Nationals gold medal in 2017 signaled his readiness for black belt competition, while a bronze medal at the IBJJF World Championship in 2018 reinforced the depth of his development at that stage.

The breadth of Pedro's colored belt record — podium finishes at the sport's most competitive tournaments spanning four belt levels — reflected both the quality of instruction he received under Gabriel Marinho and the seriousness with which he approached his craft from purple belt onward. By the time he received his black belt in October 2020, the foundation had already been thoroughly tested and proven on the mats of the IBJJF and CBJJ's most prestigious events.