Gabrieli "Gabi" Pessanha is a Brazilian black belt from Rio de Janeiro who competes at super-heavyweight and in the absolute for Infight JJ. She has won IBJJF Worlds gold in both divisions every year from 2021 to 2024, according to Wikipedia, and BJJ Heroes records both titles again in 2025 and 2026. When we checked in October 2026, BJJ Heroes listed her at 266 wins and 10 losses, with 69% of wins by submission.
Background and lineage
Pessanha was born on 8 August 2000 and grew up in Cidade de Deus (City of God) in Rio, a journey Graciemag's "Following the Heroes" series covered in its episode "from CDD to the world". She won juvenile world and Brazilian national titles. In 2018 she won the IBJJF Grand Slam at purple belt: the Worlds, Pans, Europeans and Brazilian Nationals in one year. Márcio de Deus promoted her to black belt in June 2019, at 18. BJJ Heroes traces her lineage through Rogério Poggio and Renam Pitangui to Rickson Gracie.
Competition highlights
- IBJJF World Championship: super-heavyweight and absolute gold every year from 2021 to 2026.
- IBJJF World No-Gi: double gold in 2024, which Wikipedia describes as her no-gi debut. In 2025 she lost the absolute final to Elisabeth Clay by inside heel hook.
- Pans and Europeans: Pan gold every year from 2021 to 2025, and the European double every year from 2022 to 2025. In 2022 she completed the black belt Grand Slam with the Brazilian Nationals.
- AJP: Abu Dhabi World Pro titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023, plus AJP Queen of Mats in 2020.
- Invitationals: The Crown super-heavyweight titles in 2023 and 2024, and BJJ Stars grand prix wins.
- Awards: JitsMagazine named her Female Grappler of the Year (gi) every year from 2021 to 2024.
Style and signature techniques
BJJ Heroes lists open guard as her favourite position. Her finishing breakdown there:
- 42 straight ankle locks
- 41 chokes from back control, plus 18 rear-naked chokes listed separately
- 14 armbars
- 10 triangles
At the 2024 Worlds she won both finals against Yara Soares with straight ankle locks.
Notable matches and rivalries
- Yara Soares: beat her several times in 2021, including at the Pans and Brazilian Nationals. Pessanha later beat her in both 2024 Worlds finals.
- Tayane Porfírio: beat Pessanha by two points at BJJ Bet 2 in 2021 and in the 2025 Brazilian Nationals super-heavyweight final. Pessanha submitted her at BJJ Stars 15 in April 2025 and in the 2025 Worlds absolute final, and beat her on advantages in the 2025 super-heavyweight final and on points in both 2026 Worlds finals.
- 2026: lost the Pan absolute final to Sarah Galvão 6–0. BJJ Heroes also records an ADCC 2026 loss to Anabel Lopez by referee decision.