Thiago Borges

Thiago Borges, known by the nickname 'Monstro', was born on April 29, 1982, in Vitória, in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. His family relocated to Rio de Janeiro during his early years, setting the stage for his introduction to martial arts. Like many of his generation, it was the early UFC events that ignited his passion for combat sports — watching Royce Gracie systematically dismantle opponents through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu convinced Borges to step onto the mats for the first time. He began training at a local gym alongside friends, drawn in by the undeniable effectiveness he had witnessed on screen.

His first instructor was Huanderson Pavao, a representative of the Gama Filho team, which later became known as GFTeam (Grappling Fight Team). Under Pavao's guidance, Borges built his foundational skills and was introduced not only to BJJ but also to complementary disciplines including judo and luta livre esportiva. This multi-disciplinary exposure gave him a broad, adaptable grappling base that would define his competitive identity throughout his career.

Borges's early competitive years in Rio de Janeiro were marked by consistent regional success, with four Rio de Janeiro State Championship titles earned between 1999 and 2002, establishing him as one of the standout grapplers in his weight class. In 2002, seeking further development, he relocated to Brasília and joined Cia Paulista under the tutelage of Carlos Eduardo Vieira, widely known as 'Portugues'.

Training under Carlos Vieira proved to be the defining chapter of Borges's belt journey. The Cia Paulista environment in Brasília sharpened his technical game significantly, and his competitive results reflected that growth. He added three São Paulo State Championship titles (2003, 2004, and 2005), two Brasília State Championship titles, and three São Paulo International Championship titles (2004, 2005, and 2006) during his time in central Brazil. In December 2004, Carlos Vieira awarded Borges his black belt, formalizing a lineage rooted in the Cia Paulista tradition. Throughout this developmental phase, Borges continued competing across BJJ, luta livre esportiva, judo, and MMA — ensuring his game was tested and refined across a variety of grappling contexts.

Establishing a Presence in the United Kingdom

In 2005, shortly after receiving his black belt, Thiago Borges made the significant decision to move to Europe, settling in London, England. His arrival placed him among the earliest BJJ black belts to establish a sustained presence in the United Kingdom, where the sport was still in its formative years. This early footprint gave him an important role in shaping London's BJJ scene, exposing local practitioners to high-level instruction and competitive preparation.

Upon arriving in London, Borges affiliated with Brasa. Following an internal split within the organization, he transitioned to Checkmat, continuing to compete and represent British BJJ on the international stage. In 2011, he returned to his competitive roots by rejoining Cia Paulista — a decision that reflected his enduring connection to the organization and to Carlos Vieira's lineage.

International Results and Competitive Record

Borges's European career produced results that validated his standing as a top-level competitor outside of Brazil. He claimed the Open Weight European Championship in 2009 under the CBJJE banner and reached the final of the ADCC Brazilian Trials in 2005, earning a silver medal against a field of elite submission grapplers. In 2015, he won the London Winter Open championship, adding a domestic UK title to an already strong international record. Throughout his time in Europe, Borges represented Great Britain internationally, embodying the cross-cultural dimension of BJJ's global spread.

Thiago Borges competes in the Pesadissimo division, the super-heavyweight category for athletes over 100 kilograms. Within that weight class, he has built a reputation as a technically precise and physically imposing competitor whose defining attribute is his guard passing. His ability to systematically break down and bypass opponents' guards draws on pressure-based principles ideally suited to a larger, experienced grappler — making his top game both a strategic and physical statement.

His background across multiple grappling systems adds considerable depth to this approach. Experience in luta livre esportiva has contributed a no-gi dimension to his overall game, strengthening his passing and control in both gi and no-gi contexts. Submission wrestling titles — including the Submission Wrestling de Campos Championship and two Luta Livre State Championships — alongside open-weight victories such as the CBJJE Open Weight European title, demonstrate that his effectiveness extends well beyond a single ruleset or weight bracket. This adaptability across disciplines reflects the well-rounded foundation built under Huanderson Pavao and Carlos Vieira, and has allowed Borges to remain competitive across a long career spanning multiple countries and competitive formats.