Wilson Bueno

Wilson Bueno was born in June 1993 in Santo André, a city in the ABC region of São Paulo state, Brazil. Drawn to martial arts from an early age, he began judo training at the age of 7, spending seven years competing in regional tournaments. That foundation instilled the discipline, timing, and body awareness that would later define his grappling identity.

At 14, a friend's invitation brought Bueno to the BJJ mats for the first time — and the experience proved decisive. The submission-oriented nature of jiu-jitsu captured his attention in a way judo never had, and he made the full transition to the Gentle Art shortly thereafter. That choice set him on a path toward the highest levels of international competition.

Bueno's ascent through the belt ranks was shaped by a succession of dedicated instructors, each leaving a distinct mark on his technical and competitive development.

Building the Foundation

Eduardo Severiano served as Bueno's first BJJ coach, guiding him from his earliest days on the mats through blue belt. Severiano's instruction established the technical groundwork upon which Bueno's game would be built. Douglas Yassuda then took over for the blue-to-purple belt transition, helping Bueno sharpen his competitive approach during a pivotal phase of growth.

The Breakthrough and Black Belt

It was during his purple belt years that a defining result arrived: a gold medal at the CBJJE Mundial, the most prestigious title within that federation. That victory on Brazil's national competitive landscape convinced Bueno that a professional career in jiu-jitsu was within reach.

The most consequential chapter of his progression unfolded under Fábio Chemik, who promoted Bueno to both brown and black belt. Bueno received his black belt on December 18, 2018 — a milestone that coincided with a gold medal at the IBJJF Sul Americano Championship that same year. Throughout his career, Bueno has competed as a member of Checkmat, one of Brazil's most established and internationally recognized BJJ organizations.

Bueno's entry onto the international circuit in 2023 marked the beginning of his most prolific competitive chapter. Competing in the Pesadíssimo division (over 100.50 kg / 222.0 lbs), he quickly established himself as one of the premier masters-level athletes in the world across both gi and no-gi formats.

2023: An Immediate Impact

His 2023 international debut produced immediate results. A gold medal at the IBJJF European Championship and a first-place finish at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals NOGI validated his decision to pursue the global circuit and set the tone for an even more ambitious 2024 campaign.

2024: Cementing a Legacy

In 2024, Bueno elevated his output considerably. He successfully defended his IBJJF European Championship title and added a no-gi European crown at the 2024 IBJJF European Championship NOGI in the same calendar year. He also captured gold at the 2024 IBJJF Pan Championship NOGI, claimed both the weight and absolute titles at the IBJJF International Master Europe, and won the absolute division at the IBJJF International Master South America.

The capstone of his 2024 season came at the IBJJF Masters World Championship, where he claimed the absolute gold medal — the most prestigious title available at the masters level on the global IBJJF stage. His decorated run across South American and European master events reflects both the consistency and breadth of his competitive output, cementing his standing as one of the most accomplished masters-division heavyweights on the international BJJ circuit.